Forest Fee Debate Heats Up in Sussex | Dover News

Dover News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 26, 2026 · 1m

Sussex County’s forest preservation rules are heating up as council members clash over a new “pay-in-lieu” proposal that lets developers pay fees instead of preserving land — sparking debates on loopholes, old-growth value, and timing. Councilman Matt Lloyd sees it as a funding lifeline for the Sussex Land Trust, while Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum warns it could undermine real forest protection. Meanwhile, concerns grow that delaying the ordinance’s effective date might trigger a rush of development applications — prompting calls for immediate enforcement with exceptions for existing plans —…