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:
[email protected]
Click on a title below to be taken to a regulation change.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY – Severn River – Matthews Point
The Department received a request to create a speed zone in the Severn River that would extend 100 yards in each direction from Matthews Point. The request was to create a 6-knot speed limit that would be effective Saturdays, Sundays and State holidays during the boating season.
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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 – Duvall Creek
The Department received a request to enlarge an existing speed zone in Duvall Creek located in South River. The request is to enlarge the current speed zone in Duvall Creek to begin at the start of the Duvall Creek entrance channel, approximately 300 yards to the southwest of the current zone. The current zone has a speed limit of 6 knots during the boating season and the new area would have the same speed limit.
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BOAT DEALER LICENSE – Update to Fees
The Department is considering updating the annual license fee for a boat dealer. The fee would be increased from $25 to $50.
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CERTIFICATE OF BOAT NUMBER - Denial or Revocation
The Department is considering establishing a process by which it may deny an application for a certificate of number or revoke a previously issued certificate of number. The Department has the ability to deny applications or revoke licenses in other contexts, such as hunting and fishing licenses. Thus, by creating the ability to deny or revoke a certificate of number for a vessel, the Department will be aligning these abilities in its various regulatory contexts.
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CHARLES COUNTY – Potomac River – Westmoreland (VA) State Park
The Department received a request to create a speed zone on the Potomac River in the vicinity of Westmoreland State Park on the Virginia side of the river. The request was to create a minimum wake zone that would extend 100 yards from shore and be effective during the boating season.
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DORCHESTER COUNTY – Nanticoke River – Marshyhope Creek
The Department would like to combine two existing speed zones (a seasonal speed zone and an all times speed zone) in Marshyhope Creek, a tributary of the Nanticoke River, into one continuous speed zone. The Department would like to increase the speed limit for the entire area from a minimum wake zone to 6-knots all year.
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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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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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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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ST. MARY’S COUNTY – Patuxent River – Cuckold Creek
The Department received a request to create a speed zone in the Patuxent River in the area of Clarkes Landing on Cuckold Creek. The request was to create a 6-knot speed limit that would be effective during the boating season.
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SUSQUEHANNA RIVER – Susquehanna 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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WASHINGTON COUNTY – Potomac River – Dargan Bend
The Department received a request to extend an existing speed zone in the Potomac River near the Dargan Bend boat ramp. The request was to extend the minimum wake speed zone approximately ½ mile in each direction from the current minimum wake speed zone. The speed limit would be effective during the boating season.
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WHITE WATER STREAM SEGMENT – Patapsco River
The Department proposed an update to the section of the Patapsco River designated as Class III white water.
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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
