Cape Henlopen fishing pier closes for repairs

Time and a relentlessly punishing Delaware Bay put Cape Henlopen State Park's popular fishing pier out of action again on Monday after a structural inspection found an immediate need for repairs and an "alarming" rate of deterioration.

It was the latest in a string of urgent shutdowns in recent years for the World War II era landmark, originally 1,800 feet long and built by the Army but repurposed as a park amenity that has become a destination in itself.

Division of Parks and Recreation officials say they are unsure when, or even if, the original pier will reopen. Repairs, replacement and other solutions all are being considered after warnings that more weaknesses could develop even as work to fix the latest problems gets under way.

"Right now, given the fact that we've put so many Band-Aids on the pier, we're going to look at all the options on the table," said Matthew P. Chesser, a parks division program administrator. "This pier being 70 years old, we recognize that it doesn't have much functional life left.

"We're going to start looking at whether we're going to continue to Band-Aid a little bit here and there for a little bit of additional life, or look at a more comprehensive repair or maybe some alternative solutions that provide the same service to the public."

Workers need to replace at least 24 wooden piles supporting the pier, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control officials said. The emergency work would be the first of an eventual partial-fix series of reinforcements and repairs to 125 piles holding up the structure.

Full demolition and replacement with a modern, concrete pier would cost about $15 million for demolition, engineering and design work and construction, according to the latest DNREC estimate. Repairing problems piecemeal would cost $4,000 to $6,000 per piling alone.

Similar closings came in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2012. The 2012 work included demolition and removal of the outermost 600-foot T-head section at the end of the original 1,800-foot pier that was in danger of collapsing.

Milton-area resident Eric B. Burnley Sr., an outdoor writer and chairman of the state's Advisory Council on Recreation Fish Funding, said signs of trouble were clear.

"I never felt any shaking, but it's pretty obvious when you look down at the various pilings that they're not in great shape," said Burnley, who has fished both from the pier and from the water nearby.

Burnley described the pier as "a really great place, especially for families," and the largest and most popular of its kind in the bay and nearby coastal region.

A nearby bait and tackle shop, parking area and restrooms will remain open, DNREC said, but boaters, kayakers and those fishing are advised to remain clear of the pier. Chesser said state officials will consider a range of ways to encourage continued fishing at Cape Henlopen.

"If you have a family and you want to take them fishing, you pay $4 if you're from Delaware to get into the park," Burnley said of the attraction. "You can go on the pier, there's a tackle shop at the end, nice park restrooms, a picnic area."

Burnley said that the shutdown came at a relatively good time, however.

"The summer is the biggest time and it's the spot and croaker that are the biggest draw," Burnley said, noting that both are gone for the season. "They're easy to catch when they're there and there are a lot of them. The more dedicated fishermen will fish for summer flounder."

Delaware collects only about $1.5 million a year from fishing licenses, a principal source for recreational fishing improvements, Burley said. Other projects already are under consideration elsewhere, including a possible $2 million pier along the Delaware River in New Castle's Dobbinsville area.

Large and substantial state fishing piers along the bay and river also can be found at Woodland Beach east of Smyrna and at Port Mahon east of Dover and Little Creek, although storm-related damage has made travel to the Port Mahon site difficult at times.

Contact Jeff Montgomery at (302) 463-3344 or jmontgomery@delawareonline.com.