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 – Magothy River North Shore – Ross Cove to Pea Patch Point
The Department received a request to expand the current demarcation line for the speed zone on Ross Cove to Pea Patch Point. The requested action would relocate the demarcation line for the 6-knot speed limit. Currently, the regulated area has a 6-knot speed limit that is effective at all times.
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- 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 – Marley Creek
The Department received a request to create a 6-knot speed zone in Marley Creek to be effective at all times during the boating season.
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- 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 – Maynadier Creek Controlled Water Ski Area
The Department received a request to change the existing or to create a new controlled ski area (slalom course, ski jump course, or rowing course) in Maynadier Creek.
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- 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 – Upper South River after the Riva Bridge
The Department received a request to modify the current speed zone to a 6-knot at all times speed zone. This request would also extend the Riva Bridge area regulation of 6-knots at all times.
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- 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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Caroline County – Choptank River (Greensboro to Denton)
The Department received a request to modify the current boating regulation(s) in the Choptank River from Greensboro to Denton Rd. The request is to make the area a 6-knot speed limit.
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- Based on the feedback gathered during the public scoping period and the recommendation of the Boat Act Advisory Committee, the Department has decided to defer a decision on this topic to 2024. The topic will be re-scoped with the public in the summer of 2024 with amended boundaries.
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Emergency Action - Chesapeake Bay Eastern Shore - Construction Zone around the Bay Bridge
The Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review has granted emergency status to amend Regulation .01 under COMAR 08.18.07 Chesapeake Bay. The Committee approved emergency status beginning May 4, 2023, and expiring October 31, 2023. This action establishes a 6-knot speed limit in the Chesapeake Bay for the area surrounding the construction site of the Maryland Transportation Authority’s Eastbound Bay Bridge Deck Replacement Project.
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CHESAPEAKE BAY EASTERN SHORE - Construction Zone around the Bay Bridge
The Department is proposing to create a 6-knot speed zone in the Chesapeake Bay for the area surrounding the construction site of the Maryland Transportation Authority’s Eastbound Bay Bridge Deck Replacement Project. The speed limit would be effective at all times through March 31, 2026
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CHESAPEAKE BAY WESTERN SHORE - Construction Zone around the Bay Bridge
The Department is considering creating a 6-knot speed zone in the Chesapeake Bay for the area surrounding the construction site of the Maryland Transportation Authority’s Eastbound Bay Bridge Deck Replacement Project. The speed limit would be effective at all times through March 31, 2026
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HARFORD COUNTY — Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace
The department received a request to create a speed zone in Susquehanna River in the area of Havre de Grace. The affected area would be 6 knots at all times during the boating season. The requested area is approximately from the "Green 17" in the Susquehanna Channel extending north to the upstream side of the Susquehanna Lock House and Museum.
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HOUSEKEEPING — DNR Ski Sticker Approved Vessel List
The Department is considering updating the regulation for DNR Ski Stickers, specifically, the list of qualified vessels which are eligible to receive a ski sticker.
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HOUSEKEEPING — Report of Boating Accidents
The Department is considering updating the regulation for the report of boating accidents, specifically, the dollar amount which triggers the reporting requirement for an operator of a vessel involved in an accident. The Department is also considering a minor housekeeping change in the same regulation regarding a grammatical error.
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SOMERSET COUNTY — Jones Creek
The department received a request to create a new speed zone in Jones Creek located north of Janes Island in Somerset County, Maryland.
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Worcester County – Sinepuxent Bay, Ocean City
The Department received a request to expand the existing 6-knot speed limit effective at all times for Isle of Wight Bay. The request is to extend the area South to Sinepuxent Bay Channel Buoy 3. Sinepuxent Bay from the North tip of Assateague Island at Sinepuxent Bay Channel Lighted Wreck Buoy WR2, South top Sinepuxent Bay Channel Buoy 3.
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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
