Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
| Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $139,371 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $160,691,200 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the governor |
| Authority: | Delaware Code, 29-80-8002 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Greg Patterson | |
| Other Delaware Executive Offices | |
| Governor•Lieutenant Governor•Secretary of State•Attorney General•Treasurer•Auditor•Secretary of Education•Agriculture Secretary•Insurance Commissioner•Natural Resources Secretary•Labor Secretary•Public Service Commission | |
The Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is a state executive position in the Delaware state government. The secretary heads the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, which regulates the use of the state's natural resources. The secretary is a nonpartisan appointee of the governor.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is Greg Patterson (nonpartisan). Patterson assumed office in 2025.
Authority
The office of secretary is established by state law.[2]
Delaware Code, 29-80-8002
| (a) The administrator and head of the Department shall be the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control... |
Qualifications
State law requires only that the secretary be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office. Secretaries are required by law to become residents of the state within six months after appointment, and must remain residents until their service ends.[2]
Delaware Code, 29-80-8002
| (a) The administrator and head of the Department shall be the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, who shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office. |
Appointments
The secretary is appointed by the governor and must be confirmed by a majority vote of the state Senate.[2]
Term limits
There are no term limits associated with the office of secretary of natural resources.
Vacancies
If a vacancy in the office occurs, the governor appoints a replacement, who must then be confirmed by the state Senate. If the vacancy occurs while the legislature is out of session, the governor may appoint an acting secretary until the next legislative session. Details of vacancy appointments are set out in Article III, Section 9 of the Delaware Constitution.
Duties
As of January 14, 2021, the stated goal of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control was:[1]
| “ | The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) envisions a Delaware that offers a healthy environment where people embrace a commitment to the protection, enhancement and enjoyment of the environment in their daily lives; where Delawareans’ stewardship of natural resources ensures the sustainability of these resources for the appreciation and enjoyment of future generations; and where people recognize that a healthy environment and a strong economy support one another.[3] | ” |
Divisions
As of January 14, 2021, divisions within the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control included:[1]
- Office of the Secretary
- Division of Community Affairs
- Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy
- Division of Air Quality
- Division of Water
- Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances
- Division of Fish and Wildlife
- Division of Parks and Recreation
- Division of Watershed Stewardship
State budget
- See also: Delaware state budget and finances
The budget for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in the Fiscal Year 2025 was $160,691,200.[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
The secretary's salary is determined by law.
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $139,371, according to the Council of State Governments.[5]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $135,971, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2021
In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $132,011, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2020
In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $132,011 according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2019
In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $131,011 according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2018
In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $128,090 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2017
In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $128,090 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2016
In 2016, the commissioner received a salary of $128,090 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2015
In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $128,090 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2014
In 2014, the secretary received a salary of $127,590 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2013
In 2013, the secretary was paid an estimated $127,590. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
2012
In 2012, the secretary was paid an estimated $126,327. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
2010
In 2010, the secretary received a salary of $120,755.[15]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact info
Address:
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-9000
See also
| Delaware | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, "Vision, Mission, Values and Priorities," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Delaware Code, "29-80-8002," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Delaware General Assembly, "Senate Bill 325," accessed January 16, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 14, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2010 -- Table 4.11," accessed August 15, 2011
| ||||||||||||||
