DNR Implementation Summary
Recreational boating activities are a major source of
revenue for the coastal bays regional economy. Each year visitors spend thousands of dollars renting boats and personal
watercraft, chartering fishing trips, parasailing, and on many other boating
activities in the coastal bays. The goals in the CCMP strive to balance resource protection with these recreational
boating activities. Specific navigational hazards were identified during development of the CCMP along with
specific plans for identifying and protecting sensitive resources. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has played a significant
role in addressing many of the issues related to recreation and navigation including
the following:
-
In order to improve navigation in the coastal bays, aquatic
fisheries and habitats, and the stability of Assateague Island, DNR
staff led the Navigation and Dredging Advisory Group (NADAG) in its
first 3 years. The
Navigation & Dredging Advisory Group was charged with developing
recommendations and providing the necessary data, information and
state support critical to the establishment of a comprehensive and
effective Navigation and Dredging Master Plan for the Coastal Bays. The comprehensive plan is to include data on dredge material
volume and disposal, recommendations for improving safety and
navigation in the coastal bays, and improved public outreach
materials.
-
The
Sensitive Areas Task Force, an interagency task force of resource
experts led by DNR staff, has been convened with the goal of
evaluating sensitive resources and establishing priorities for
protection. Maps are being created that identify and rank sensitive resources and their
locations. These maps and associated information will help future water-use planning efforts
that are identified in the CCMP. DNR secured a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) in the amount of $25,000 to facilitate this
effort.
- The DNR Natural Resources Police have examined safety and
resource protection issues related to boat rental facilities in the
coastal bays. These facilities are inspected annually to make sure they are in compliance with
State Law regarding rental of boats in seaworthy condition and that all
safety education certificates and licenses are possessed. Boating rules and regulations are posted at all rental facilities,
and all renters of personal water crafts are required to take and pass a
test conducted in cooperation with the Coast Guard. Enforcement of these laws is evaluated annually and additional
avenues of law enforcement have been utilized in some areas.
-
In 2001, surveys were conducted by DNR to
assess whether particular areas of the bays would benefit from being
designated as a No Discharge Zone from harmful gasoline, solid waste,
antifreeze, and other pollutants by boaters. Certain areas of the
coastal bays have now received that designation formally. The Clean
Marina Initiative hopes to assist boaters and marina operators in
promoting boater education about the recycling of these pollutants and
how to dispose of them properly.
DNR will continue to work with partners on each of
these issues. A study of the
impact of boat wakes on shore erosion is planned which will help the
partners make informed decisions on shore erosion protection. DNR will continue to work with marina owners in the coastal bays to
have their marinas designated as “clean marinas.”
******************************************************************************************************** DNR Implementation Summaries
If you have any questions about Maryland's Coastal Bays
Implementation Activities,
please feel free to e-mail, Katheleen
Freeman, or call (410) 260-8986.
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