Funding for 60 Boating Access, Navigation, and Safety Projects in 19 Counties
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan announced $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants for Fiscal Year 2022 to enhance and improve public boating access, facilities, and navigation throughout the state. The announcement—coming during the fourth day of the governor’s tour of the Eastern Shore—was made at the Ocean City Fire Department, which received $50,000 for a fire and rescue vessel engine replacement.
“Boating is not just an important part of our history and our culture, it is also an important part of Maryland’s economy,” said Governor Hogan. “The announcement of these new grants is yet another shining example that Maryland is open for business, open for summer, and open for boating.”
The funding will go toward 60 projects in 19 counties, including grants for statewide projects and emergency water rescue needs. Projects include new public boating access, amenities, and facilities; dredging of navigable waterways; emergency vessels and equipment for local first responders; and other important infrastructure and initiatives.
“We are pleased to demonstrate Maryland’s commitment to keeping our waters safe and accessible through these grant awards,” Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio said. “The Waterway Improvement Fund is an essential program that benefits all waterway users.”
To streamline the grant application and management process, DNR has created the Grants Gateway to provide a single entry point for grantees and assure access to funding for innovative local projects. The gateway also provides DNR with an integrated grant-management system to monitor sources, manage data, and ensure grants are consistent with the department’s strategic priorities.
The Waterway Improvement Fund was created in 1966 to support the development, enjoyment, and use of Maryland’s waters for the benefit of the general boating and cruising public. It is primarily derived from a five-percent vessel excise tax on boat purchases and titling.
Projects to be funded in Fiscal Year 2022:
Allegany County Rocky Gap State Park Boating Access Improvement and Bulkhead Replacement $250,000 Town of Westernport Boat Launch Improvements $121,000 Anne Arundel County Annapolis Fire Department Equipment Purchase for Fire Boats $1,100 City of Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center $250,000 City of Annapolis Engineering of New Docks at Burtis Basin $51,000 City of Annapolis Floating Dock Installation at Multiple Street Ends $250,000 Green Heron Point, Arnold Dividing Creek Maintenance Dredging $147,000 Grays Creek and Hunters Harbor, Lake Shore Maintenance Dredging $222,000 Water Oak Point Road, Pasadena Rock Creek DMPS Rehabilitation and Stockpiling $375,000 Sandy Point State Park Boat Ramp and Marina Parking Area Improvements $250,000 Boone Trail, Severna Park Yantz Creek and Saltworks Creek Dredging $110,000 Baltimore County Baltimore County Fire Department, Cockeysville New Fire and Rescue Vessel $15,000 Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Department, Middle River New Fire and Rescue Vessel $50,000 Gunpowder Falls State Park Dundee Creek Marina Pier and Utility Upgrades $200,000 Baltimore City Living Classrooms Foundation Marina Improvements /Replacement $350,000 Calvert County Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons Boat Basin Pier and Bulkhead Replacement $200,000 Town of Chesapeake Beach Chesapeake Beach Dredge Material Placement Site $250,000 St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department New Fire and Rescue Vessel $25,000 Caroline County Choptank Marina, Preston Auxiliary Parking Lot Expansion and Permanent Surfacing $150,000 Choptank Marina, Preston Engineering for Redesign of Fuel Tank and Seawall $55,000 Tuckahoe State Park Boat Ramp Replacement $150,000 Dorchester County City of Cambridge Municipal Marina Marina Improvements $250,000 Crocheron Wharf Repairs and Improvements $250,000 Smithville Boat Ramp Ramp Repairs and Improvements $250,000 Frederick County Cunningham Falls State Park Boating ADA Improvement $150,000 Garrett County Deep Creek Lake State Park Boat Dock Replacement and Boat Area Repairs $200,000 Harford County City of Havre de Grace Water Street Boat Ramp Parking Lot $133,500 City of Havre de Grace Engineering for City of Havre de Grace Marina Dredging $150,000 Kent County Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Department Fire and Rescue Vessel $50,000 Prince George's County Prince George's County Fire Department Water Safety Rescue Equipment $24,000 Queen Anne's County Centreville Landing Parking Lot and Bulkhead Enhancements $250,000 Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center, Chester Boat Ramp and Pier $250,000 Southeast Creek Landing, Church Hill Dredging $100,000 Crumpton Landing Boat Ramp and Bulkhead Replacement $250,000 Somerset County City of Crisfield Crisfield Depot Piers and Walkways $90,000 Dames Quarter Boat Ramp Bulkhead and Pier Improvements $150,000 Janes Island State Park Boat Ramp and Transient Slip Repairs $100,000 Smith Island Tylerton County Dock and Harbor Improvements $75,000 Somers Cove Marina, Crisfield Bulkhead Replacement and Marina Site Improvements $2 million Somers Cove Marina General Maintenance $100,000 St. Peters Creek Marina Bulkhead and Finger Pier Replacement $50,000 St. Mary's County Bushwood Wharf Pier Repair $125,000 Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Purchase Fire and Rescue Vessel $50,000 Snow Hill Park Boat Ramp $500,000 St. Patricks Creek Federal Navigation Channel Maintenance Dredging $800,000 Talbot County Easton Point Boat Ramp Parking Lot Improvements $50,000 Town of St. Michaels Harbor Road Boat Slip Improvements and Water Connections $30,000 Washington County Greenbrier State Park Boat Dock Improvements $200,000 Town of Hancock Boat Ramp Improvements $250,000 Williamsport Volunteer Fire & EMS New Fire and Rescue Vessel $17,500 Wicomico County Cedar Hill Marina Bulkhead Restoration $250,000 Worcester County Town of Ocean City Fire Department Fire and Rescue Vessel Engine Replacement $50,000 Town of Ocean City Channel #10 Maintenance Dredging $248,500 Natural Resources Police Area 1 Marine Facility, Ocean City Maintenance Dredging $50,000 Pocomoke River State Park Milburn Landing Boat Ramp Repairs $100,000 South Point Public Boat Ramp, West Ocean City Bulkhead Replacement and Improvements $250,000 Statewide Emergency dredging and navigation needs $1,313,400 ($100,000 General Fund) State cost share for Federal Clean Vessel Act funding for the operation/maintenance of marina sewage pumpouts $146,000 State cost share for federal Sport Fish Restoration Boating Access (BA) and Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) projects $250,000 Federal cost share for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service boating programs $2.5 million
