Regulations

PUBLIC NOTICE

PROPOSED REGULATION

The purpose of this action is to update the regulation that requires boaters to follow the federal rules for operating in Maryland waters. During a review of the regulation it was discovered that certain information in the regulation was incorrect. The proposed action corrects the name of the federal act, cites the appropriate sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, and removes the reference to rules that are incorporated by reference. The document that is incorporated by reference is a guide about navigation rules that no longer exists. The guide has been updated and is available on the United States Coast Guard’s website. The Code of Federal Regulations, 33 CFR §83, requires an individual to carry the guide on the vessel. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to specifically reference the guide in regulation because it is included as part of the requirement to comply with the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980.

CLICK HERE: TO REWIEW MARYLAND REGISTER, VOLUME 48, ISSUE 2, FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021, PAGE 56.

EMERGENCY REGULATION

The Department of Natural Resources submitted a regulation proposal to the Maryland General Assembly's Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee asking for emergency approval.

The emergency regulations, was approved and establishes a 6-knot speed limit in the Potomac River for the area surrounding the construction site of the Maryland Transportation Authority’s Harry W. Nice/Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge Replacement Design-Build Project. The project involves construction of a new bridge and demolition of the existing Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge. The construction of the new bridge is scheduled to be completed by 2023 and the demolition of the old bridge is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2024. The speed limit would be in effect through December 31, 2024.

Without an established speed limit, the construction zone poses safety threats for all waterway users, employees, and contractors. The speed limit will help protect all workers and barges from excessive wake actions. This action has been developed in cooperation with the Maryland Transportation Authority and the U.S. Coast Guard and will positively support the project and avoid delays.

PROPOSED WORDING

Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 08.18.21.07 Chapter 21 Potomac River
Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§8-703 and 8-704, Annotated Code of Maryland

.07 Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge.

A. Area. All of the waters of the Potomac River upstream of a line beginning at a point near the southwest side of the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge defined by Lat. 38° 21' 30.6" N, Long. 77° 0' 52.2" W; then running 82° True to a point defined by Lat. 38° 21' 45.4" N, Long. 76° 58' 57.1" W; and downstream of a line beginning at a point defined by Lat. 38° 21' 53.1" N, Long. 76° 58' 58.6" W; then running 260° True to a point defined by Lat. 38° 21' 37.8" N, Long. 77° 0' 52.5" W.

B. The area described in §A of this regulation has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

C. This regulation shall be effective through December 31, 2024.

JEANNIE HADDAWAY-RICCIO
Secretary of Natural Resources​​

Click Here: Transportation Authority (MDTA) New Nice Middleton Bridge Project - Home

Boating Regulations and the Maryland State Boat Act

The Maryland State Boating Act was enacted in 1960 to work in harmony with the United States Coast Guard regulatory scheme and provided that revenue generated through regulating boating activity would be earmarked for boating and maritime purposes. Perhaps the most important idea was that in Maryland, boaters would administer boating with the support of the boating community.​

Maryland State Boat Act Advisory Committee

The Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee, BAAC, was established as part of the Boating Act in 1960. The purpose of the Committee is to make recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources on boating regulation requests. Members of the Committee include a diversified array of waterway user types. The members are appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and each have a variety of experience and expertise in watercraft related matters. The Committee meets on a regular basis to review regulatory requests. Meetings are open to the general public and public comment is encouraged by the Committee members. To obtain information on the next Committee meeting, please view the Upcoming Committee Meetings section or view the department's calendar online or contact Mike Simonsen at 410-260-8272 or Email at: michael.simonsen@maryland.gov

Maryland State and Federal Requirements for Recreational Vessels