Maryland Park Service Issues New Policies Regulating Alcoholic Beverages in Maryland State Parks
New Restrictions to be Phased in Throughout 2009

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Annapolis, MD - Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - The Maryland Park Service (MPS) will be phasing in new restrictions regarding the consumption of alcohol at Maryland State Parks throughout 2009.

The Park Service is informing the public about new policies - which will eventually prohibit the use of alcohol without a permit in state parks except in full service cabins - through multi-lingual signs, multi-lingual brochures, notification on the MPS website, on-site education by park staff and communication through the reservation service.

The new policies are designed to increase safety in Maryland parks and bring the state’s alcohol policy in line with that of parks in neighboring states.

“We want to ensure a quality experience for all State Park visitors and protect the family atmosphere of Maryland State Parks, “ said Nita Settina, Superintendent, Maryland Park Service. “This new policy will increase the safety of visitors, state park staff and Maryland Natural Resource Police (NRP) officers.”

The initial goal of enforcing the new regulations is to maximize voluntary compliance. NRP officers will monitor all park properties - with a special focus on day-use areas, campgrounds and other areas where alcoholic beverages have previously been permitted - to detect and address violations of the new policy and regulations.

Officers will advise visitors in possession of alcohol outside of permitted areas to remove all alcoholic beverages from the park or to secure them in a locked vehicle. Visitors will be allowed to transport alcoholic beverages through a park to areas where alcohol is permitted, such as a boat launch or designated shelter.

Park Rangers and other MPS staff will, in the absence of extenuating circumstances like obvious intoxication, disorderly conduct or other illegal or unsafe activity, make those in violation of the policy aware of the new restrictions and request that they voluntarily comply with the new rules.

The following policy and additional restrictions will be phased in over the course of 2009:

Effective March 31, 2009

• The consumption or possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage of any kind is prohibited in all Maryland State Park day-use areas, beach areas and other areas with picnic tables not associated with a designated shelter or campground area, unless an alcohol permit has been issued.
   
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in youth group camping areas.
   
• Alcoholic beverages will continue to be permitted in campgrounds, shelters and full service cabins. Those persons with a valid reservation for a campsite, cabin or shelter are considered to have an alcohol permit.
   
• Alcohol permits may be issued upon request by the park manager for special events operating under a use agreement.
   
• A fee of $35.00 will be charged for each alcohol permit.
   
• The alcohol permit must be displayed on-site.
   
• An alcohol permit may be revoked for cause by the park manager, their designee or a Natural Resources Police officer.
  

Effective November 1, 2009

• The consumption or possession of an open container any alcoholic beverage is prohibited in all Maryland State Park areas, with the exception of full-service cabins, unless an alcohol permit has been issued.
   
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in campgrounds and at non-designated shelters.
   
• Alcohol permits will only be issued through a reservation for a designated shelter or other facility approved by the Superintendent.
   
• A fee of $35.00 will be charged for each alcohol permit.
   
• The alcohol permit must be displayed on-site.
   
• Alcohol permits may be issued upon request by the park manager for special events operating under a Use Agreement.
   
• An alcohol permit may be revoked for cause by the park manager, their designee or a Natural Resources Police officer.