Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund Awards $13.5 Million

Projects Funded Statewide for Better Boating Access, Navigation, and Safety

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants in Fiscal Year 2020 to enhance and improve public boating access, facilities, and navigation throughout the state.

This funding will go toward 58 projects in 16 counties, including grants for statewide projects and emergency needs such as ice-breaking. 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.

“Maryland is committed to expanding boating opportunities so that our citizens and visitors can appreciate all that our waterways have to offer,” Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio said. “These grants will enhance safety, improve access, and maximize enjoyment for all boaters.”

Projects to be funded in Fiscal Year 2020:

Allegany County

North Branch of the Potomac River, Cumberland
New small boat access ramp and parking
$54,000

Anne Arundel County

Franklin Manor, Churchton
Dredging
$505,500 in matching funds

Mathias Cove and Main Creek, Lake Shore
Maintenance dredging
$341,500 in matching funds

Brady and Old Glory Coves, Pasadena
Maintenance dredging
$168,500 in matching funds

Old Man Creek, Severna Park
Maintenance dredging
$131,500 in matching funds

Spriggs Pond and Ross Cove, Arnold
Maintenance dredging
$128,400 in matching funds

Cheston Avenue Access, Annapolis
Improvement of bulkhead and installing dinghy dock
$99,000

Annapolis Fire Department
Outboard motor and forward-looking infrared camera
$2,000 in matching funds

Baltimore County

Gunpowder Falls State Park
Replace Hammerman boat launch
$130,000

Community Volunteer Fire Department of Bowleys Quarters, Middle River
New fire/rescue boat
$50,000 in matching funds

Calvert County

Fishing Creek, Chesapeake Beach
Maintenance dredging
$160,000

Town of Chesapeake Beach
Repairs to access piers at town boat ramp
$80,000

Caroline County

Crouse Park, Denton
Parking lot paving
$99,000

Martinak State Park
Bulkhead and dock replacement design and construction
$75,000

Marina Park, Federalsburg
Bulkhead repair
$30,000

Cecil County

Elk River Park
Elk River dredging
$940,000

Charles County

Sweden Point Marina, Smallwood State Park
Bulkhead replacement
$1 million

Sweden Point Marina, Smallwood State Park
Engineering for sanitary system upgrade
$100,000

Smallwood State Park
Concession building upgrades
$100,000

Dorchester County

Elliott Island Marina
Jetty and shoreline
$350,000

Cambridge Municipal Marina
Repairs and improvements
$99,000

Tyler’s Cove, Church Creek
Boat ramp and bulkhead construction
$90,000

Hoopersville Boat Ramp, Fishing Creek
Ramp and bulkhead construction
$90,000

Franklin Street Boat Ramp, Cambridge
Ramp improvements
$80,000

Town of Vienna
Improvements to boat slips, including utilities
$75,000

Harford County

Otter Point Landing, Abingdon
Boat ramp repairs and pier replacement
$165,000 in matching funds

Marina Point Park, Joppa
Engineering for remediation of the Mariner Point dredge material placement site
$100,000

Kent County

Bayside Landing Marina, Rock Hall
Marina renovation
$430,000 in matching funds

Chestertown Marina
Slip dredging
$150,000

Chestertown Marina  
Basin improvements
$95,000

Prince George’s County

Fort Washington Marina
Engineering to dredge marina
$250,000

Queen Anne’s County

Love Point Maryland Park Service/Natural Resources Police Facility
Design for replacement of existing deteriorated bulkheads, stone revetments, breakwaters, and timber piers
$200,000

Deep Landing Boating Facility
Bulkhead replacement
$125,000 in matching funds

Matapeake Natural Resources Police Facility
Replace gas dock and fuel dispenser
$100,000

Town of Queenstown
Dredge boating slips
$50,000

Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department
Fire pump and generator modules for fire boat
$12,500 in matching funds

Somerset

Somers Cove Marina, Crisfield
Improvements including replacement of bulkhead, bath house roof and electric trunk line
$996,000

Smith Island
Dredging of Sheep Pen Gut
$500,000

Dames Quarter, Princess Anne
Bulkhead replacement
$99,000

St. Peters Creek, Princess Anne
Bulkhead replacement
$99,000

Janes Island State Park
Design for repair of boat ramp and construction of transient slips
$75,000

Talbot County

Skipton Landing, Cordova
Replace dock
$55,000

Tongers Basin, Tilghman Island
Bulkhead repairs
$55,000

Oxford Volunteer Fire Department
Fire rescue boat
$50,000 in matching funds

Town of St. Michaels
Harbor Road slip improvements
$30,000

Town of St. Michaels
Marina restroom construction
$30,000

Town of Oxford
Dinghy dock
$25,000

Dogwood Harbor, Tilghman Island
Finger pier
$15,000

Wicomico County

Cedar Hill Marina, Bivalve
Bulkhead construction
$99,000

Pirates Wharf, Quantico
Construct a new boating facility
$400,000 in matching funds

Riverside Boat Ramp, Salisbury
Boat ramp renovation
$99,000

Worcester County

Pocomoke City
Construct town marina
$363,000 in matching funds

Pocomoke River State Park – Shad Landing
Replace marina and repair boat ramp
$200,000

Public Landing, Snow Hill
Dredging
$200,000

Statewide

Funds toward replacement of J. Millard Tawes motor vessel
$2 million

Dredging/navigation/storm damage in designated public shallow water channels or publicly owned boating facilities that occur outside the budget cycle or exceed statewide appropriated funding amount
$1.241 million

State match for Federal Clean Vessel Act
$163,000

State match for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Boating Programs
$50,000

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.