Citizens Invited to Comment on Proposed Boating Regulation Changes

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Annapolis, Md. — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee invite comments on requested changes to the state’s boating regulations.

"We are currently in the review phase of the areas requested for speed and noise changes for 2008. We are very encouraged that so many Marylanders have taken the time to send us comments and we will review all of them, in addition to the comments we'll receive at the open public meetings. This will help us make the best possible recommendation," said Dan Jarzynski, Chairman of the Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee.

The Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee will hold a series of five public meetings as part of their information gathering process before they make a recommendation on the requested regulations to DNR’s Secretary. Dates and locations for these meetings are as follows:

Thurs., Oct. 9 at 10 a.m.
Community College of Baltimore, 7200 Sollers Pt. Rd. in Baltimore
     Comments on the requested changes to regulations to establish a six knot speed limit on Rock Creek, Peach Orchard Cove, and Browns Cove.

Thurs., Oct. 16 at 10 a.m.
Department of Economic Development and Agriculture, 160 Coursevall Dr. in Centerville
     Comments on the requested changes to the speed limit and zone regulations for the Chester River, Cambridge Creek, and Tar Cove.

Thurs., Nov. 6 at 10 a.m.
Calvert County Library, 850 Costley Way in Prince Frederick.
     Comments on the requested changes to the speed limit and vessel size regulations on Annapolis Harbor, the Old Severn River Bridge, St. Leonard's Creek and St. John's and Mill
     Creeks.

Thurs., Nov. 20 at 10 a.m.
Annapolis Elks Lodge #622, 2517 Solomons Island Rd. in Edgewater
     Comments will be taken on the requested changes to the statewide noise regulation.

Thurs., Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Discovery Center, 898 State Park Rd. in Swanton
     Comments will be taken on the requested changes to the noise regulations on Deep Creek Lake.

Citizens may comment on specific proposals during a series of five public meetings, online at http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/boating/regscomments.asp, or via mail to the Boat Act Advisory Committee, 580 Taylor Ave E-4, Annapolis, Md. 21401.

For additional information visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/regs.html.

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September 25, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov.