The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will provide $21.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund allocations to communities and projects throughout Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay in Fiscal Year 2025, which began July 1.
The funds will support new and improved public boating access facilities, dredging of navigable public waterways, emergency vessels and equipment for local first responders, and other important infrastructure and initiatives.
“Our waterways are a major component of Maryland’s economic success and cultural identity, and keeping them accessible, safe, and navigable are key priorities,” said Maryland Natural Resources secretary Josh Kurtz. “The Waterway Improvement Fund, funded by Maryland’s boating public and distributed in close partnership with our waterfront communities, has been a critical component in supporting these activities for decades.”
The Waterway Improvement Fund is primarily derived from the one-time five percent excise tax when a boat is purchased and titled in the state, as well as a small portion of the state gas tax. It has been used to construct and maintain more than 400 public boating facilities, 250 public navigational channels, and to acquire vessels.
Applications are reviewed and projects are selected based on local government and state priorities, which are evaluated to determine the benefit to the general boating public. Fiscal Year 2025 applications totaled more than $80 million in Waterway Improvement Fund requests.
Some of the funded projects include: dredging of Broadwater Creek in Anne Arundel County ($457,000); new shallow water safety vessel for Baltimore City Fire Department ($22,500); Replacement of Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman Boat Ramp in Baltimore County ($200,000); seawall and marina restoration at Choptank Marina in Caroline County ($1.353 million); boat ramp repairs and transient slip improvements at Janes Island State Park in Somerset County ($1 million); Point Lookout State Park marina services building replacement in St. Mary's County ($800,000); and more. Find the full list of projects funded in FY25 at news.maryland.gov/dnr.