How to Request a Boating Regulation

Step 1. The Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee (BAAC) requests a petition be submitted. Petitions must be received no later than April 15th. Submissions should be sent to:

Boat Act Advisory Committee (BAAC)
Mike Grant
Regulations Coordinator & Facilities Manager
Boating Services
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Tawes State Office Building, E-4
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-260-8013
410-260-8453 FX

Include the following information on your petition or use this form: Request for Boating Regulation Change Petition Form

• Name, address and phone number of contact person, dated


• Printed names and address of signers next to signatures


• Detailed description of area, with a map


• Why this action should take place


• Type of restriction 6-knot All Times, 6-knot Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, April 15 to October 15, or other


• Any restrictions currently in the area

Step 2. The Department of Natural Resources will begin studying the area during the next Boating Season (Apr 15 – Oct 15). Comments will be accepted during the Boating Season or according to the publication date in the MD Register.

• Boating Services Unit will set up a meeting with the contact person to review request and make recommendations


• Boating Services Unit will place a buoy in the area to advise boaters that the area is under study


• Notices to boaters will be distributed in the area


• Vessel traffic surveys will be done


• Historical data on the area will be collected including shore erosion information


• Public comments will be solicited

Step 3. The Department of Natural Resources will summarize the data and present it to the Boat Act Advisory Committee (BAAC)

• The BAAC will review the study (Areas that have been reviewed can not re-apply for 3 years)


• Visit areas if needed


• Hold a meeting for open public comments on the request (Meeting dates will be advertised on the WEB and in local newspapers)


• The BAAC submit recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.
  Recommendations can be to accept, reject or modify.

Step 4. The DNR Boating Regulations staff review the recommendation.

• The Regulations staff will forward the BAAC recommendation along with any comments to the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.


• The Secretary determines if a regulation will be proposed and processed in accordance with established protocols.


• Publication in the Maryland Register is required and a public comment period of not less than 30 days is mandatory. A public hearing may be required.


• Adoption (45 days) and the effective dates (90 days) are determined.