Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced possible changes to boating regulations for areas of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. There are 11 areas under consideration for change. DNR has received citizen petitions for changes in nine areas. In addition, there are two areas where DNR is proposing changes to boating regulations.

This marks the beginning of the of the comment period for this regulatory process. Now is the time for the public to express their opinions, both for or against the changes. Public meetings on the regulation proposals may be scheduled prior to them being sent to the General Assembly's Administrative Executive Legislative Review (AELR) Committee for approval.

DNR employees will be conducting studies and surveys of these areas throughout the current boating season. Once findings are tabulated, they will be presented to the state's Boat Act Advisory Committee before being forwarded to AELR through DNR Secretary John R. Griffin. If approved, the new regulations would then be proposed in the Maryland Register and would take effect by the beginning of the 2000 boating season.

In the areas of study, DNR will place Notice to Boaters buoys, advising boaters to call (410) 974-2040 to receive information on the proposal. Boaters and other interested parties are asked to submit their comments in writing to: Capt. David Street, Boating Regulations Coordinator, 69 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Unless otherwise noted, comments will be accepted for all the below listed areas until September 7, 1999.

Anne Arundel

• Severn River - Round Bay - The Department received a petition to create a 6 knot speed limit off the Round Bay Community.
• Chesapeake Bay - Oyster Creek - The Department received a petition to create a 6 knot speed limit in Oyster Creek.
• Patapsco River - Cox Creek - The Department received a petition to create a 6 knot speed limit at all times in Cox Creek.
• Patapsco River - Stoney Creek - The Department received a petition to create a 6 knot speed limit at all times from the mouth of Stoney Creek to the Stoney Creek Bridge.
• Rhode River - Bear Neck Creek - The Department received a petition to change the speed limit on Bear Neck and Whitemarsh Creeks to 6 knots at all times.

Charles County

• Nanjemoy Creek - The Department received a petition to create a no wake zone at all times from the Friendship Landing Launching Ramp to the headwaters of Nanjemoy Creek.

Queen Anne's County

• Chester River - Castle Harbor Marina - The Department received a petition to create a 6 knot speed limit at all times at the entrance channel to Castle Harbor Marina. The channel area is approximately 1500 ft in length and is confined with rock jetties and wood bulkhead on both sides.
• Kent Narrows South Entrance - The Department proposes to extend the existing at all times 6 knot speed limit at the southern end of the speed zone. The proposed extension is the area beginning at the southern point of the breakwater, to a point approximately 50 yards below day marker #5, to the southern point of land at Wells Cove.

Kent County

• Sassafras River - Swantown Creek - The Department received a petition to create a 6 knot speed limit at all times from the mouth to the headwaters of Swantown Creek.

Dorchester County

• Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - The Department proposes to exclude boat traffic from the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge property from October 1 through March 30 each year. The exclusion will begin at the property lines of Blackwater National Refuge and extend into the Wildlife Refuge property. Comments accepted until July 31, 1999.

St. Mary's County

• Canoe Neck Creek - Middle Branch - The Department received a petition to create a 6 knot speed limit on the Middle Branch of Canoe Neck Creek.

Maryland's NRP is the only agency mandated by state law, specifically to enforce conservation and boating laws.