Fishing Forum

[size 1]Annapolis, MD- Governor Martin O'Malley and the Maryland General Assembly have approved $26.7 million in State Waterway Improvement Funds and an additional $1 million in anticipated federal funds in the fiscal year 2008 Budget, to improve public boating access and support boating safety projects in Maryland's waterways. Approved projects include, among others, dredging federal, state and local navigation channels, developing and maintaining public boating access facilities, acquiring fire/rescue and patrol boats, and installing marine sewage pumpout stations.

All boats titled in Maryland are charged a 5 percent 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 fund also receives 0.3 percent of the State's motor fuel tax that is attributed to vessel use.

"The Waterway Improvement Fund is essential for continued enhancements to recreational and commercial boating in Maryland," said DNR Secretary John Griffin. "The more than 130 projects selected will surely have a significantly positive impact on the lives of Marylanders as they utilize and enjoy our aquatic resources."

Since 1966, the Waterway Improvement Fund has provided over 4,000 grants valued at $234 million to develop nearly 300 public boating access sites, complete over 170 navigation projects, and support hundreds of other boating related projects and activities throughout Maryland.

County

Funding Amount<br />
Total No. Projects<br />
Allegany<br />
$145,000.00<br />
2<br />
Anne Arundel<br />
$3,532,500.00<br />
7<br />
City of Annapolis<br />
$3,748,000.00<br />
5<br />
Baltimore City<br />
$149,000.00<br />
2<br />
Baltimore County<br />
$4,667,158.00<br />
19<br />
Calvert<br />
$99,000.00<br />
1<br />
Caroline<br />
$728,000.00<br />
7<br />
Cecil<br />
$622,000.00<br />
4<br />
Charles<br />
$580,000.00<br />
5<br />
Dorchester<br />
$568,000.00<br />
7<br />
Frederick<br />
$92,396.00<br />
1<br />
Garrett<br />
$149,000.00<br />
2<br />
Harford<br />
$1,379,500.00<br />
8<br />
Kent<br />
$592,000.00<br />
8<br />
Montgomery<br />
$174,000.00<br />
2<br />
Prince George's<br />
$1,720,000.00<br />
2<br />
Queen Anne's<br />
$1,248,000.00<br />
5<br />
Somerset<br />
$1,121,500.00<br />
9<br />
St. Mary's<br />
$1,250,000.00<br />
10<br />
Talbot<br />
$594,000.00<br />
8<br />
Wicomico<br />
$243,000.00<br />
3<br />
Worcester<br />
$647,000.00<br />
6<br />
County Sub-Total<br />
$24,049,054.00<br />
123<br />
Statewide Projects<br />
$2,650,946.00<br />
6<br />
Federal Funded Project (Elk River Park Cecil Co.)<br />
$1,000,000.00<br />
1<br />
TOTAL<br />
$27,700,000.00<br />
130

For a full list of all projects, click here

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The Maryland 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.

Media Contact:<br />
Aaron Kraus (410) 260-8016 (O) (410) 507-7525 (cell) akraus@dnr.state.md.us [/size]
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