The information provided on this webpage is a summary of regulatory ideas and proposals that are being considered by the department. The purpose of posting this text is to make the public aware of the issues and to elicit public feedback on these ideas. Comments on the ideas presented provide the department with invaluable information and perspectives that may be incorporated into content or editorial changes. We appreciate your time and your commitment to Maryland's natural resources. The graphic within each topic will help you follow the change through the regulatory process.
If you wish to request a boating regulation change, please fill out one of the following forms:
Boating Regulation Change Requests are accepted annually through April 15. Requests submitted after the April 15 annual deadline will be considered the next calendar year.
If interested in more information on how to submit a Request for a Boating Regulation Change,
please call Mike Lathroum at 410-260-8272 or email:
kennethm.lathroum@maryland.gov
Click on a title below to be taken to a regulation change.
Anne Arundel County – Chesapeake Bay– Western Shore (Oyster Creek)
The Department received a request to establish a 6-knot at all times during the boating season speed zone for Oyster Creek.
- View Summary
- Based on the feedback gathered during the public scoping period and the recommendation of the Boat Act Advisory Committee, the Department has decided to not move forward with this topic.
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Anne Arundel County – Magothy River North Shore – Broad Creek
The Department received a request to expand the current speed zone in Broad Creek by approximately 0.3 nautical miles towards the entrance of Broad Creek.
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View Summary
- Based on the feedback gathered during the public scoping period and the recommendation of the Boat Act Advisory Committee, the Department has decided to not move forward with this topic.
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Anne Arundel County – Severn River: Naval Academy YP Pier Construction Project
The Department received a request to establish a 6-knot effective at all times speed limit surrounding the YP Pier - Naval Academy Construction Project in Annapolis, Maryland which is scheduled to continue through the summer of 2025.
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Anne Arundel County – Severn River Vessel Management Area– Severn River South Shore (Cove of Cork)
The Department received a request to expand the current Cove of Cork speed zone by approximately 300 feet towards the Severn River.
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Anne Arundel County – South River North Shore (Aberdeen Creek)
The Department received a request to extend the current Upper Aberdeen Creek 6-knot at all times during the boating season speed limit to the entire creek. This would modify the current Lower Aberdeen Creek speed limit.
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View Summary
- Based on the feedback gathered during the public scoping period and the recommendation of the Boat Act Advisory Committee, the Department has decided to not move forward with this topic.
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Anne Arundel County – Whitehall Bay – Whitehall Creek
The Department received a request to expand the existing speed zone that starts approximately at the intersection of Ridout and Whitehall Creeks South to Green #7-day marker.
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View Summary
- Based on the feedback gathered during the public scoping period and the recommendation of the Boat Act Advisory Committee, the Department has decided to not move forward with this topic.
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Calvert County – Patuxent River North Shore – Hellen Creek
The Department received a request for Blunts Cove to the west and north of Hellen Creek. The request is to establish a 6-knots at all times speed limit during the boating season.
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View Summary
- Based on the feedback gathered during the public scoping period and the recommendation of the Boat Act Advisory Committee, the Department has decided to not move forward with this topic.
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Calvert County – Patuxent River North Shore – Mill Creek
The Department received a request to establish a 6-knot at all time speed zone in St. John Creek, which would modify a portion of the existing restricted 6-knot speed limit all year speed zone that exists in the majority of Mill Creek.
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View Summary
- Based on the feedback gathered during the public scoping period and the recommendation of the Boat Act Advisory Committee, the Department has decided to not move forward with this topic.
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PATAPSCO RIVER – Francis Scott Key Bridge Project
The Department is considering establishing a 6-knot effective at all times speed zone in the Patapsco River for the area surrounding the demolition and construction site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Project. The zones will encompass waters upstream and downstream of the bridge project, but will not affect the main shipping channel. Please view the summary for a full description and map.
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SOMERSET COUNTY – Annemessex River – Daugherty Creek Canal — Janes Island State Park Harbor
The Department received a request to extend the existing speed zone in Daugherty Creek Canal. The request is to reposition the existing southern speed limit demarcation line to the southern end of Daugherty Canal at a "Pole Marker" listed in official Coast Guard Light List publication "Light 18.” Secondly, reposition the existing northern speed limit demarcation line as listed Daugherty Creek - Channel Lighted Buoy 5"
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View Summary
- Based on the feedback gathered during the public scoping period and the recommendation of the Boat Act Advisory Committee, the Department has decided to not move forward with this topic.
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SUSQUEHANNA RIVER – Amtrak Rail Bridge Project
The Department is considering establishing a 6-knot effective at all times speed zone in the Susquehanna River for the area surrounding the construction site of the Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project. This construction project is located on the waters between Havre de Grace and Perryville, Maryland. Please view the summary for a full description and map.
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Talbot County – Miles River – Hunting Creek
The Department received a request to establish a 6-knot at all times during the boating season speed limit in a portion of Hunting Creek.
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View Summary
- Based on the feedback gathered during the public scoping period and the recommendation of the Boat Act Advisory Committee, the Department has decided to not move forward with this topic.
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WHITE WATER STREAM SEGMENT – Patapsco River
The Department needs to update the section of the Patapsco River designated as Class III white water. The current section as described in regulation is from Woodstock (Md. Rte. 125) to Glen Artney (Patapsco State Park—Old Dam). The reference to an “old dam” in Glen Artney is not completely clear. The Department is considering designating the Gun Road bridge as the new endpoint.
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Worcester County – Ocean City—Back Bay Areas – Canals and Inlets (Fenwick Ditch)
The Department received two requests to change the current 6-knot speed limit all year. The First Requestor requested making the area a no-wake zone. The Second Requestor requested making the area a minimum wake zone.
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Regulation Definitions for Boating
Scoping
During the scoping process, the Department gathers suggestions and ideas from stakeholders and others about how to solve a boating problem or address a need. The goal of scoping is to identify issues, potential impacts, and reasonable alternatives associated with the issues so that management actions can be developed. The Department considers these comments and develops an appropriate management strategy.
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Development
After the public has had an opportunity to comment on the initial regulation request, the information is presented to the Boat Act Advisory Committee for further review. The public may make additional comments at the meeting. The Department, in consultation with the Boat Act Advisory Committee, considers the comments and develops an appropriate management strategy. The Secretary of Natural Resources then decides if a management strategy is necessary and appropriate. If the action is necessary and appropriate, a proposal is sent to the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee (AELR). AELR analyzes each proposal for legal and fiscal concerns. The proposal is then sent to the Division of State Documents (DSD) for publishing in the Maryland Register. DSD staff edit the proposal for proper format prior to printing.
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Comment Period
This part of the process begins when the proposal is published in the Maryland Register. The public comment period is 30 days for all proposed regulations in Maryland as required by State law. The Department welcomes public comment on proposed regulations. Comments on the proposal provide the Department with additional information and perspectives that in some cases may be incorporated into editorial changes.
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Final Decision
At the end of the 30 day comment period the Secretary of Natural Resources decides whether to approve or disapprove the proposed measure. A final action will be sent to the Division of State Documents (DSD) for printing in the Maryland Register.
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Effective
A final action is published in the Maryland Register stating the date that the management action is effective.
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Resolution of Previous Regulation Requests
View the Archived Resolution of Regulation Requests
