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.
For detailed information on any maps or regulations, call 410-260-8300 or email Fishing and Boating Services
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:
[email protected]
Click on a title below to be taken to a regulation change.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY – Browns Cove – Mill Creek - Whitehall Bay
The Department received a request to extend a speed zone in Mill Creek to include the Browns Cove area. The resulting speed zone would include all of Browns Cove and be combined with the Mill Creek entrance channel speed zone. The current speed zone has a speed limit of 6 knots on Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, during the boating season and the new area would have the same rules.
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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY – Glebe Creek – South River
The Department received a request to expand a speed zone in Glebe Creek located in the South River. The request is to extend the boundary of the current 6 knot speed zone approximately 100 yards to the northeast to include the entirety of the North Branch of Glebe Creek. The affected area is currently regulated during the boating season with a speed limit of 35 knots from sunrise to sunset and 20 knots from sunset to sunrise. The request would change the speed limit to 6 knots during the boating season.
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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY – Rt 2 Bridge Area – South River
The Department received a request to extend the existing Maryland Route 2 (MD 2) Bridge Area speed zone in the South River. The request is to extend the boundary approximately 600 yards upstream on the south side of South River to include the shoreline of the Edgewater Beach neighborhood. The affected area is currently regulated during the boating season with a speed limit of 35 knots from sunrise to sunset and 20 knots from sunset to sunrise. The request would change the speed limit to 6 knots during the boating season.
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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY – Selby Bay – South River
The Department received a request to expand the existing Selby Bay speed zone in the South River. The request is to extend the boundary to encompass the northern shoreline of Turkey Point Island. The affected area is currently regulated during the boating season with a speed limit of 35 knots from sunrise to sunset and 20 knots from sunset to sunrise. The request would change the speed limit to 6 knots and be in effect on Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY – South River – Duvall Creek
COMAR 08.18.25.05
The Department has extended the current speed zone in Duvall Creek located in the South River to begin at the start of the Duvall Creek entrance channel. The speed zone is 6 knots during the boating season.
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BALTIMORE COUNTY – Bullneck Creek – Bear Creek – Patapsco River
The Department received a request to extend the current Bullneck Creek speed zone located in Bear Creek in the Patapsco River. The requested extension would start at the entrance to Bear Creek. This would result in the full length of Bullneck Creek having a speed limit of 6 knots on Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
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BALTIMORE COUNTY – Holly Beach – Middle River
The Department received a request to create a new speed zone within the existing Middle River 35 knots speed zone in the Middle River. The request is to create a new speed zone at the south end of the entrance of the Middle River along the north shoreline of Holly Beach. The affected area is currently regulated during the boating season with a speed limit of 35 knots during the daytime and 25 knots at nighttime. The request would change the speed limit to 6 knots during the boating season.
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BALTIMORE COUNTY – Schoolhouse Cove – Bear Creek – Patapsco River
The Department received a request to create a new speed zone within the existing Upper Bear Creek speed zone in the Patapsco River. The request is to create a new speed zone for a small inlet off of Bear Creek called Schoolhouse Cove. The affected area is currently regulated with a speed limit of 6 knots on Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year. The new speed zone would have a speed limit of 6 knots, all year.
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BOAT DEALER LICENSE – Update to Fees
COMAR 08.04.09.01
The Department has increased the annual license fee for a boat dealer to $50.
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CECIL COUNTY – Rogue’s Harbor – Elk River
The Department is considering creating a new speed zone in the Elk River near the area of Rogue’s Harbor boat ramp. The Department recently completed a project at the boat launch that added a breakwater to protect the launch area. The new speed zone would encompass the area surrounding the breakwater and have a speed limit of 6 knots, all year.
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CERTIFICATE OF BOAT NUMBER - Revocation
COMAR 08.04.03.05 through .08
The Department established the ability to revoke a certificate of number that has been issued to a vessel that has been modified in such a way that it is no longer a vessel.
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CHARLES COUNTY – Potomac River – Westmoreland (VA) State Park
COMAR 08.18.21.05
The Department established a minimum wake speed zone on the Potomac River at Westmoreland State Park. The minimum wake speed zone extends 100 yards from shore, and is effective at all times during the boating season (April 15 through October 15). The zone begins at the park’s boat ramp and encompasses the day use beach area.
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DORCHESTER COUNTY – Nanticoke River – Marshyhope Creek
COMAR 08.18.16.02
The Department has combined two existing speed zones in Marshyhope Creek, a tributary of the Nanticoke River, into one continuous speed zone. The speed limit for the entire area is 6 knots at all times.
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GENERAL – Definition of Class A Vessel
The Department is considering modifying its regulations to reflect the change in terminology regarding what were previously known as Class A vessels. Instead of using the term “Class A” the Department needs to change the descriptions to “a vessel less than 16 feet in length”. No actual rules regarding the operation of vessels are being considered in this change.
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GENERAL – Personal Flotation Device Updates
The Department needs to update its regulations regarding personal flotation devices (PFDs). The United States Coast Guard has updated its labeling requirements for PFDs so that new PFDs no longer are solely identified by class (e.g., Class I, Class II, etc.). PFDs are now marked with new icons explaining the intended use. The Department’s regulations must recognize the possibility that either type of PFD may be onboard a vessel and meet the PFD requirements for the activity in which individuals are engaged.
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KENT COUNTY – Long Cove – Langford Creek - Chester River
The Department received a request to create a new speed zone encompassing the entirety of Long Cove in the Langford Creek area of the Chester River. The request is for a minimum wake speed zone all year.
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OPERATION OF VESSELS – Emergency Cut-Off Switch Requirement
The Department is considering establishing a requirement that operators of certain vessels use an emergency engine cut-off switch (ECOS) while operating on plane or above displacement speed. The vessels covered by this requirement would be recreational vessels less than 26 feet in overall length that have an engine capable of developing 115 pounds or more of static thrust. Operators of vessels that have a main helm that is installed within an enclosed cabin and vessels that do not have an engine cut-off switch installed by the manufacturer do not need to install an engine cut-off switch. The requirement to use the engine cut-off switch is only for operators of vessels which have an engine cut-off switch installed.
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SAFETY RULES – Recreational Vessels
The Department would like to clearly state that boaters must follow the safety rules of the United States Coast Guard when operating a recreational vessel on waters of the State. This would apply to all waters in Maryland (nontidal, tidal, and coastal).
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SPEED ZONES AND RESTRICTED AREAS – Emergency and
Temporary Zones
COMAR 08.18.01.04
The Department established a process to delineate speed zones and restricted areas by public notice for the instances laid out in Natural Resources Article, §8-725.9, Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Md. Laws, Chap. 433). The public notice will be posted on the Department’s website a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the effective date. The public notice will also be disseminated through various other media (e.g., social media, email lists, publishing in the Maryland Register, etc.) and buoys will be placed in the area so that an affected individual has a reasonable opportunity to be informed.
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ST. MARY’S COUNTY – Patuxent River – Cuckold Creek
COMAR 08.18.20.03
The Department created a new speed zone in Cuckold Creek, a tributary of the Patuxent River in the area of Clarks Landing. The speed limit is 6 knots on Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays during the boating season.
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TALBOT COUNTY – San Domingo Creek – Choptank River
The Department received a request to create a new speed zone in the northeast cove of San Domingo Creek. The request is for a minimum wake speed zone all year.
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TALBOT COUNTY – Tar Creek – Tred Avon River
The Department received a request to create a new speed zone within a portion of Tar Creek in the Tred Avon River. The request is for a 6 knot speed zone during the boating season for a small inlet off of Tar Creek.
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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
The reports are available on the archival webpage
These reports are not ADA compliant.
To obtain any of these reports as an accessible copy, follow the directions on the linked page.
