Governor Wes Moore announced that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Funds.
Governor Wes Moore 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 Southern Maryland below, (full list can be read here.)
Anne Arundel County: $1,484,000
- City of Annapolis, Fourth Street – Public boating access, improvement and engineering
- Lake Placid – Dredging
- City of Annapolis, Hawkins Cove – Engineering for dredging
- City of Annapolis, Shipwright Street End – Public boating access, improvement and engineering
- Little Magothy River – Dredging
- Church Creek – Dredging
- Duvall/Kitty Creek – Dredging
Calvert County: $229,063
- St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department – Dive and rescue rigid hull vessel
- Hallowing Point State Park – Boat ramp dredging and beneficial use
Prince George’s County: $250,000
- Jackson’s Landing, Upper Marlboro – for boating access facility Improvement
St. Mary’s County: $1,250,000
- St. Inigoes Landing – Public boating access improvement
- Point Lookout State Park – Marina renovations and improvements
Statewide: $3,931,997
- Maryland Pumpout Grant Program
- Maryland Natural Resources Police Patrol vessel and outboard motor replacement
- Statewide Emergency Maintenance and Dredging
- State Match for Federal Boating Access and Boating Infrastructure Grants
Additional funds reserved for state projects and priorities as determined by the Department of Natural Resources.
