Chesapeake Bay News

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, renovations of the Lapidum Boating Facility in Susquehanna State Park are now complete. The project was a partnership effort between DNR, the Department of General Services and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The Lapidum Boating Facility provides an important access point to the Susquehanna River downstream of the Conowingo Dam, an area renowned for fishing, boating, hunting and general recreation for the public.

The renovations included replacing the deteriorated boarding pier with a state-of-the-art floating dock, improving both the safety and ease of use of the facility at the varying water levels experienced at Lapidum.

The stone breakwater was also renovated to provide essential protection from storms and wave action and the parking area was expanded to accommodate more users due to high demand. The new and improved facility is also ADA compliant.

The total cost of the construction phase was $435,000, with funds coming from both state and federal sources. State funding was provided through a DNR Waterway Improvement Fund grant of $135,000.

Revenue for the fund comes from the one-time 5 percent excise tax paid when a boat is purchased and titled in the State of Maryland. The Waterway Improvement Fund was created in 1966 to support the development, use, and enjoyment of all waters in Maryland for the benefit of the general boating public.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provided $300,000 through the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program which is a user pay, user benefit grant program funded by federal excise tax on fishing equipment and fuel tax from motor boats.

source: MD DNR

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be making modifications to the boat launching pier in the Lapidum Area of Susquehanna State Park. The project will begin March 14 and should be completed in less than three work days, weather permitting.

Due to fabrication of the new floating pier, work cannot begin any sooner. One launch ramp will remain open during construction in order to minimize the interruption of public access. There may be brief periods during which both ramps will be closed due to safety concerns, however, every effort will be made to minimize any interruption if it is safe to do so.

The existing aluminum gangway will be removed and utilized at another DNR facility in the future. The gangway will be replaced with four sections of floating pier that will join the existing concrete floating pier. The floating pier sections will improve the use of the facility at both high and low tide. The modifications of the launching facility will ensure safe, user friendly access to the Susquehanna River for boaters.

For further information, including details on construction dates, please contact park headquarters at (410) 557-7994.

source: MD DNR

The Wye Landing public boat ramp in Talbot County was reopened on August 26th with a ribbon cutting ceremony following major reconstruction and expansion to improve public access to the waterway and incorporate sustainable solar and wind power devices. Funding for the $428,000 project was provided by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Waterway Improvement Fund, Talbot County, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The project included replacing a two-lane boat ramp with a new four-lane, concrete ramp, adding two fixed piers and a floating, ADA-accessible dock, and creating four slips along the existing loading/unloading dock. Solar down-lighting was installed on the pilings at the end of the docks and a hybrid solar/wind powered light pole was installed to light the wharf and ramp area.

Wye Landing is one of the Eastern Shore’s most heavily-used boat ramps. The additional lane and boarding piers will allow for more efficient launching and reduce wait times and congestion. In addition to the new ADA-accessible floating dock, ADA parking spaces were also designated.

Of the $428,000 total project cost, DNR’s Waterway Improvement Fund provided $96,649. The Waterway Improvement Fund is funded by the 5 percent excise tax that boaters pay when they register a boat in Maryland. Remaining costs were funded by Talbot County and a $288,317 Sportfish Restoration Program grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

source: DNR

Public boat ramps on Thompson Creek and Shipping Creek have re-opened following major renovations. Both of these popular boat ramps are located on Kent Island and have been closed since January for repairs.

The Thompson Creek Ramp was widened and has a new ADA accessible boarding pier. The Shipping Creek ramp was expanded and now has two launching lanes with a center boarding pier. The last major improvements to these facilities were made over 20 years ago. The ramps opened in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

source: DNR

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded a grant to Cecil County to construct a new boating facility on the Elk River and dredge the adjoining channel. The facility will provide recreational boaters with access to the Elk River and Chesapeake Bay, and other residents will enjoy the landside facilities.

“Everyone at the federal, state and local level pulled together to make this project happen,” Said DNR’s Boating Service Director Bob Gaudette. “This new boating facility will be enjoyed by local residents as well as boaters throughout Maryland.”

The Elk River Park Boating Facility was substantially completed and opened in July 2009 with $437,700 in Waterway Improvement Funds. The entire project, including dredging, will cost just over $2.3 million and also includes funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cecil County, and Program Open Space. $86,000 in Program Open Space funds helped provide landside park facilities including a picnic pavilion, barbeque pits, and a swing set. Boy Scout troop 131 designed and installed the pavilion and swings.

The facility boasts a new two-lane boat ramp with a 5 feet by 60 feet floating dock, two ADA accessible car/trailer parking spaces, and a new access road and turning area. Additionally, DNR included stormwater management measures to clean and control run-off from the site. Measures include stone lined swales, trench drains, two wet ponds to hold stormwater rather than have it rush over the parking lot, and sediment traps to capture dirt and debris.

The boat launch is open to anyone but the county asks users to contribute $5 in the honor box. Boaters can also purchase a launch permit for an entire year for $20, from the Cecil County Parks and Recreation office.

“The facility will be a tremendous asset for boaters, fishermen, and recreation seekers,” County Parks Director Clyde Van Dyke said.

Kevin Musselman, a county park maintenance official, sees a bright future for the park. “It’s beautiful,” he said. “I can see people wanting to get married here some day.”

DNR’s grant funds are provided from the Waterway Improvement Fund, which is funded by the 5 percent excise tax paid when a boat is registered in Maryland.

source: DNR press release