Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund Awards $13.5 Million

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

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants in Fiscal Year 2021 to enhance and improve public boating access facilities, water safety, and navigation throughout the state.

This funding will go toward 43 projects in 17 counties, along with grants for statewide projects and emergency needs. Funded projects include renovations to public boating access infrastructure such as boat ramps, piers, pilings, bulkheads; dredging of navigable waterways; icebreaking and emergency water rescue vessels and equipment for emergency and first responders.

“We remain committed to expanding recreational boating opportunities for our citizens and visitors,” Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio said. “These important projects provide improved access and safe navigation of Maryland’s world-class waterways.”

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 2021:

Anne Arundel County

Cape St. Claire Community, Annapolis
Beach nourishment project
$250,000

Annapolis Fire Department
Fire rescue vessel line deployment equipment
$3,200

Citywide Street End Access, Annapolis
Floating dock installation
$191,000

Ellen O. Moyer Park, Back Creek, Annapolis
New dock 
$89,460 

Riviera Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Pasadena
Fire rescue vessel pump replacement
$13,037 

Baltimore City

Living Classrooms Foundation
Marina improvements
$250,000 

Baltimore County

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

Calvert County

Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons 
Replacement of boat basin pier and bulkhead 
$200,000 

Solomon’s Island Boating Facility, Solomons 
Repaving and striping of boating facility parking lot
$250,000 

Solomons Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad
Inflatable rescue vessel and equipment
$3,500 

Caroline County

Choptank Marina, Preston
Maintenance dredge
$400,000 

Martinak State Park, Denton
Bulkhead and dock replacement at boat ramp
$2 million

Cecil County 

Dredge Material Placement Site, Charlestown
Upgrades and repairs to dredge material placement site
$200,000 

Water Witch Volunteer Fire Company, Port Deposit
Replacement of fire boat motor and equipment
$26,000 

Charles County

Sweden Point Marina, Smallwood State Park
Repair and replace utility pedestals at marina
$100,000

Dorchester County

Cambridge Municipal Marina
Marina repairs and improvements
$250,000 

Countywide Boat Ramps
Engineering for improvements at countywide landings and boat ramps
$250,000 

Hoopersville boat ramp, Fishing Creek
Boat ramp replacement
$250,000 

Town of Secretary Boat Ramp
Floating dock and pier redecking at boat ramp
$80,000

Frederick County

Riverside Center Park, Frederick
Boat ramp upgrade
$250,000 

Harford County

Mariner Point Park, Joppa
Remediation and construction of the Mariner Point dredge material placement site
$1.2 million

Kent County

Cliff City Boat Ramp, Chestertown
Bulkhead and rip rap
$178,000

Turners Creek Boat Ramp, Kennedyville
Replace boat ramp
$246,200

Queen Anne’s County

Town of Centreville Wharf
Slip improvements at wharf
$87,000 

Kent Narrows Landing, Chester
Parking lot improvements 
$100,000

Town of Queenstown Dock
Bulkhead and decking at Town Dock boating facility
$250,000

Somerset

Crisfield County Dock
Replace mooring piles and deck boards 
$75,000

Rumbley County Dock, Rumbley-Frenchtown
Replace dock and retaining walls along boat ramp
$150,000

Somers Cove Marina, Crisfield
Replacement of priority marina structures
$2 million

St. Peters Creek Marina, Princess Anne
Replace bulkhead and finger piers
$100,000 

St. Mary’s County

Point Lookout State Park
Redecking of piers at Nature Center and camp loop
$100,000

St. Inigoes Landing
Boat ramp finger piers and wing wall improvements
$250,000

Town of Leonardtown Wharf
Phase II of transient boat dock and slips at wharf
$175,000

Talbot County

Bellevue Landing
Replace decking and handrails
$40,000

Fairbanks Landing, Tilghman
Replace decking
$60,000

Oxford Volunteer Fire Department
Fire rescue boat
$50,000

Washington County

Four Locks Boat Ramp, Clear Spring
Improvements to boat ramp
$250,000

Town of Hancock Boat Ramp
Improvements to boat ramp
$250,000

Wicomico County

Cedar Hill Marina, Bivalve
Replace portion of bulkhead and utilities
$200,000

Worcester County

Public Landing, Snow Hill
Install finger piers for boat slips
$250,000

Statewide

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

Emergency dredging and navigation needs
$182,603

State match for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service boating programs
$200,000