The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces its recommendation of three communities for funding and technical assistance through the new Working Waterfronts Program.

The enhancement grants will be used to support revitalization of existing and historical working waterfront communities and economies through planning or implementation. Pending approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Talbot County, the City of Annapolis and the Town of Rock Hall will receive funding beginning in February.

• Talbot County Waterfront Village Master Plans: Talbot County will work with two Citizen Advisory Committees to guide the development of Waterfront Village Master Plans for the villages of Tilghman and Bellevue. These plans will strive to balance the needs of working watermen, charter fishing businesses, marinas, and other tourism-related enterprises, all of which contribute to the existing character and economy of these communities. Both communities have a long history of water-dependent activities such as fishing, seafood packing, and boating.
• Rock Hall Harbor Working Waterfront Action Plan: Town officials will establish a Working Waterfronts Committee to develop of a Working Waterfront Action Plan for Rock Hall and guide the development of a Design Master Plan. The Committee will bring working waterfront concerns to the forefront by addressing waterfront preservation, recreational use of public open space and natural areas, harbor condition/appearance, tree canopy expansion opportunities, and tourism. The Design Master Plan will include design guidelines, solutions, and recommendations for the Rock Hall Harbor.
• Annapolis Working Waterfronts: Getting the Word Out: The City of Annapolis will develop a new Working Waterfront Awareness Program (WWAP) to assist maritime businesses with networking and marketing. Best practices to support the working waterfront will be identified through marketing outreach, surveys, and a Maritime Economic Summit. The WWAP will help organize and coordinate promotion of the maritime industry as a whole while providing better customer service and resources to the Annapolis working waterfront community.