Projects Funded Statewide for New and Improved Public Boating Access, Waterway Dredging, and Safety Equipment
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in
Waterway Improvement Funds. The funds will support new and improved public boating access facilities, dredging of navigable public waterways, emergency vessels and equipment for local first responders, and other important infrastructure and initiatives.
“Investing in infrastructure is integral to achieving the full potential of Maryland’s resources,”
said Gov. Moore. “This partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and our local jurisdictions is critical to improving, maintaining, and promoting use of our public waterways.”
The Waterway Improvement Fund is primarily derived from the one-time 5% excise tax when a boat is purchased and titled in the state, as well as a small portion of the state gas tax. It has been used to construct and maintain more than 400 public boating facilities and more than 250 public navigational channels across the state as well as the acquisition of vessels.
“Maryland’s Waterway Improvement Fund is an outstanding example of a user-pay, user-benefit program,”
said Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “Paid largely by Maryland’s boating public, supporting local efforts are critical to this partnership.”
Applications are reviewed and projects are selected based on local government and state needs and priorities, which are evaluated to determine the benefit to the general motor boating public.
Starting after July 15, the Department of Natural Resources will accept Waterway Improvement Fund applications for the next fiscal year through the department’s
online Grants Gateway.
Local projects funded in FY24 include:
Allegany County: $300,000Rocky Gap State ParkBoat ramp and bulkhead replacement
Anne Arundel County: $1,484,000City of Annapolis, Fourth StreetPublic boating access, improvement and engineering
Lake PlacidDredgingCity of Annapolis, Hawkins CoveEngineering for dredgingCity of Annapolis, Shipwright Street EndPublic boating access, improvement and engineeringLittle Magothy RiverDredging
Church CreekDredging
Duvall/Kitty CreekDredging
Baltimore County: $365,000Pleasure Island, Sparrows PointDredging and beneficial use
Bowleys Quarters Community Volunteer Fire DepartmentFire/rescue boat replacementShallow Creek, Sparrows PointDredging
Calvert County: $229,063St. Leonard Volunteer Fire DepartmentDive and rescue rigid hull vessel
Hallowing Point State ParkBoat ramp dredging and beneficial use
Caroline County: $500,000Choptank Marina, Preston
Basin dredging
Cecil County: $394,360Beck’s Landing, Chesapeake CityRe-decking promenade
Water Street Boat Ramp and Fire Pier, CharlestownDredging
Dorchester County: $430,000City of Cambridge Municipal MarinaWave screen
Tylers Cove, Church CreekRenovation
Frederick County: $100,000Pinecliff Park Boat Ramp, FrederickBoat ramp rehabilitation
Kent County: $796,800Rock Hall Volunteer Fire CompanyRescue vessel
Chestertown MarinaDredging
Betterton Public LandingPreliminary engineering
Prince George's County: $250,000Jackson's Landing, Upper MarlboroBoating access facility Improvement
Queen Anne's County: $387,000United Communities Volunteer Fire Department, StevensvilleFire Boat Motor Replacement
Thompson Creek Landing, StevensvilleBulkhead Replacement
Little Creek Landing, ChesterDrainage and parking lot improvements
Somerset County: $212,000City of Crisfield DepotReplacement of piers and walkways
Somerset County (countywide)Marina facility safety improvements
Tylerton Harbor, Smith IslandBreakwater
St. Mary's County: $1,250,000St. Inigoes Landing
Public boating access improvement
Point Lookout State ParkMarina renovations and improvements
Talbot County: $160,000Windy Hill Landing, BrucevilleLanding Reconstruction
Easton Point ParkEngineering for Dredging
Washington County: $200,000Town of Williamsport Boat RampConstruction
Wicomico County: $480,603City of Salisbury Fire DepartmentNew outboard boat motor
Cedar Hill Marina, BivalveBulkhead restoration
Pirates Wharf Park, QuanticoBoating Facility Construction
Worcester County: $2,029,177Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire CompanyRescue boat safety equipment
Pocomoke City Boat RampBoating access improvements, engineering services
Public Landing, Wharf Road, Snow HillRetaining wall and rip rap construction
George Island Landing Road, StocktonBoat Landing Engineering Services
Pocomoke River State Park Shad Landing Marina and Boat RampMarina and boat ramp replacement
Pocomoke River State Park Milburn Landing Boat RampRamp replacement
Statewide: $3,931,997Maryland Pumpout Grant ProgramMaryland Natural Resources PolicePatrol vessel and outboard motor replacement
Statewide Emergency Maintenance and DredgingState Match for Federal Boating Access and Boating Infrastructure GrantsAdditional funds reserved for state projects and priorities as determined by the Department of Natural Resources.