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Governor O’Malley and General Assembly Approve $6 Million in Waterway Improvement Funds for FY 2010 Budget
Annapolis, MD — Governor O’Malley and the Maryland General Assembly have approved $5 million in State Waterway Improvement Funds and an additional $1 million in anticipated federal funds in the fiscal year 2010 Budget to improve public boating access and support boating safety projects in Maryland’s waterways. Some of the approved projects include: dredging local navigation channels, developing and maintaining public boating access facilities, acquiring fire/rescue and patrol boats, and installing marine sewage pumpout stations.
“Working together with our local governments, these projects are supporting the infrastructure Maryland needs for a vibrant boating community,” said Governor Martin O’Malley, “while ensuring that all Maryland families have the opportunity to enjoy our waterways.”
All boats titled in Maryland experience a 5% vessel excise tax that is directed to the Waterway Improvement Fund. These funds are used to provide grants and loans to federal, state and local agencies for a variety of projects and activities that support the general boating public.
“The Waterway Improvement Fund is essential for continued enhancements to recreational and commercial boating in Maryland,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “The 60 projects selected will surely have a positive impact on the lives of Marylanders as they utilize and enjoy our spectacular waterways.”
Since 1966, the Waterway Improvement Fund has provided over 4,200 grants valued at $282 million to develop nearly 300 public boating access sites, complete over 193 navigation projects, and support hundreds of other boating related projects and activities throughout Maryland.
Click here for a list of approved FY 2010 State Funded Waterway Improvement Fund Projects.
May 5, 2009 Contact: Josh Davidsburg
410-260-8002
jdavidsburg@dnr.state.md.usMaryland 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