Speed zone for boaters requested on Jones Creek

Posted 7/11/22

ANNAPOLIS — The Department of Natural Resources is being asked to create a new speed zone in Somerset County along Jones Creek north of Janes Island State Park. There is currently no regulation …

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Speed zone for boaters requested on Jones Creek

Posted

ANNAPOLIS — The Department of Natural Resources is being asked to create a new speed zone in Somerset County along Jones Creek north of Janes Island State Park. There is currently no regulation for this area.

Jones Creek begins at the north end of the park and is bordered by two subdivisions, notably Heart’s Ease on the northeast side and Annemessex Ridge on the southeast. Recreational boaters and crabbers use the creek heavily between April 1 and Oct. 1 and the request is to limit the speed to 5 mph beginning at Green marker 15 and continuing for the remainder of the creek into the two residential areas.

According to a requestor for this change, “One of the homeowners who lives on the creek has observed a number of near misses and one actual collision of two boats last season. Another homeowner described losing a cooler and seat cushions from his dock as a wave from the wake of a speeding boat washed over his pier at high tide and swept them away.”

In addition to the potential for collision, wakes boats traveling over 6 mph “have been documented to cause erosion to unprotected shoreline.”

An unofficial restriction of 5 mph was posted by neighbors years ago, and while residents generally adhere to it, visitors have been known to race “full throttle” and Natural Resources Police do not have an official speed limit to enforce.

Comments are being accepted on this proposal online through July 31 be emailing boatingregspubliccomment.dnr@maryland.gov. Visit http://tinyurl.com/2p9xf7yw for a full summary and maps.

The Boat Act Advisory Committee expects to meet in September to discuss and evaluate the request.

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