YACHT CLUBS OF MARYLAND
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS OFFICER report
or
BOATING, WATERWAYS, and the ENVIRONMENT
Click Here to see a list of the BWEL Committee Members
By Legislative Affairs Officer Cliff Katzin
"June is Bustin Out All Over!" Here’s hoping you’ve been out on the water already. Nothing rejuvenates a boater’s spirit more than running out on the "Open Water." Especially if it’s been more than a year since you’ve been out there! You don’t get the same thrill riding down I- 95 in a "Land Cruiser!"
The month of May started out slowly, legislatively speaking. However, by the second week of the month, things started to happen. On May 11th, "The Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced the "Settlement" of its suit against the Environmental Protection Agency for its failure in Bay Clean-Up efforts. That "Suite" was put on "hold" while the EPA developed a "restoration strategy." "Bay Foundation president Will Baker predicted that the "Settlement" would lead to pollution reduction in the Bay. If not, he warned, they would be back in Court.
One day later, the Environmental Protection Agency announced "Sweeping Actions" to be taken. The strategy developed under President Obama’s "Executive Order of May 2009, promised that the Federal Government would dedicate "unprecedented" resources to target actions where they would have the greatest impact. These actions would see the Federal Government and its facilities lead by example in "environmental stewardship." Support would be given to local government and volunteer clean up efforts. The Federal Government would mark milestones reached every two years, mirroring the example of the six Bay States and the District of Columbia.
The Environmental Protection Agency would establish a "Maximum Daily Load (of pollutants) for the Bay and it’s tributaries; expand regulations for animal, agricultural, and storm water run-off; and increase enforcement activities and the funding of state regulatory programs
The United States Department of Agriculture will provide farmers and forest owners with resources to prevent soil erosion and keep nutrients out of local waters; target funding where it will have maximum impact of reducing pollution; insure that the Depart of Agriculture’s efforts at reducing pollution are accurately reported; and lead a Federal initiative to develop watershed wide environmental service market to generate tradable water quality credits in return for conservation practices.
Finally, the National Oceans and Atmosphere Department and the United States Army Corps of Engineers will work closely together with the states of Maryland and Virginia toward bay wide oyster restoration. This to be accomplished by focusing on 20 priority tributaries, expanding commercial aquaculture of oysters and an expansion of research on habitat and restoration progress.
A request was made for information re Maryland Fishing Licenses. Here is what was learned. Maryland sport fishing and crabbing licenses are available through "sport license agents,’ Internet License Sales, by telephone or by the DNR by mail or in person.
A "National Saltwater Angler Registration License is available through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Requests can be made via the internet or by calling their 800 phone number. The License is Free.
Individuals under the age of 16 are not required to obtain a license to sport fish or crab. A Senior Consolidated License for residents 65 or older is available for $5.00 per year.
Non-Tidal Freshwater Licenses allow an angler to fish in the fresh water of Maryland form January 1
st to December 31. The fee is $20.50 for residents and $30.50 for non-residents or reciprocal for state of residence, whichever is greater/Tidal/Bay Sport Fishing Licenses, good from January 1
st to December 31st are available to residents and non- residents for $15.00 annually. Temporary Licenses are also available. The "Consolidated Bay Sport Boat License allows everyone on board a "pleasure boat" to fish "recreationally" in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, including crabbing. A"Bay Sport Charter Boat License allows individuals on a chartered vessel operated by a Maryland Licensed fishing guide to fish to fish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The fee is $240 for 6 passengers or less and $290.00 for more than six passengers.Recreational Crabbers may crab from April 1
st to December 15th, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They may crab from docks, piers, bridges and boats using shore lines or dip nets and "any number of hand lines. A property owner may set 2 crab pots per privately owned pier.A "Recreational Crabbing License is required of for persons using a "trotline" not to exceed1200 feet, 11 to 30 collapsible traps or rings, or up to 10 eel pots for catching their own bait. The Resident’s fee is $5.00 and non-resident’s $10. A similar "Recreational Crabbing Boat License, allowing everyone on board a vessel to crab is available for $15.00 for residents and non- residents.
We hope this helps. Enjoy the Summer!