ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Wes Moore announced this week that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will direct more than $20 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants and General Obligation bonds to 24 public boating projects statewide in Fiscal Year 2027, with several key initiatives directly benefiting Southern Maryland’s waterways and boating communities.
The allocations include $13 million from the Waterway Improvement Fund and $7 million in bonds, supporting new and upgraded boating access facilities, channel dredging, safety vessels and critical infrastructure. Southern Maryland counties stand to gain from projects enhancing public access, emergency response and economic vitality tied to the Chesapeake Bay.
“Boating is an integral aspect of Maryland’s cultural identity that supports our seafood and tourism economies,” Moore said. “These major investments provide resources to strengthen our boating infrastructure, expand recreational access, and ensure the longevity of our waterways for Marylanders to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay for generations to come.”
The Waterway Improvement Fund operates on a “user-pay, user-benefit” model, funded primarily by a 5% excise tax on boat purchases and a portion of the state gas tax. Since 1966, it has distributed more than $469 million for nearly 4,900 projects at hundreds of public access sites and navigable channels.
In Southern Maryland, the funding underscores the region’s reliance on the Bay for recreation, commercial fishing and tourism. Boating as an industry generates more than $4 billion in statewide economic activity and supports around 17,000 jobs.
Notable local projects include substantial support for Somerset County’s Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield — Maryland’s largest publicly owned marina and a gateway to the Bay. The $30 million renovation, partially funded through $7 million in General Obligation bonds and $1.727 million from the Waterway Improvement Fund, will replace the aging bulkhead and improve facilities. Construction is slated to begin in late summer. Upgrades will include floating docks, storm drainage enhancements and better resilience against flooding, benefiting both recreational boaters and commercial users serving Smith Island and beyond.
In Charles County, the Town of Indian Head’s Mattingly Park — Slavins Dock will receive $320,000 for boating facility improvements, enhancing public access along the Potomac River.
St. Mary’s County secures support for the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department safety and rescue vessel ($80,000, matching funds) and St. George Island boating pier improvements ($125,000), bolstering emergency response and recreational opportunities in a county with extensive waterfront.
These investments align with broader regional needs. Southern Maryland’s waterways face challenges from sedimentation, storm impacts and growing demand for access amid population growth. Previous years’ grants have funded similar efforts, such as marina upgrades at Point Lookout and Sweden Point.
Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Josh Kurtz highlighted the fund’s community-driven approach. “Boating is one of Maryland’s most cherished cultural activities and a significant economic driver for our state. The Waterway Improvement Fund has been essential for improving public boating access and safety. It’s funded by Maryland’s boating public and allocated based on guidance from our waterfront communities.”
Eric Luedtke, DNR’s Director of Capital Projects, added that the fund enables full or matching support for projects, often leveraging additional federal dollars. “The Waterway Improvement Fund is the cornerstone of recreational boating in Maryland. These investments are made possible by the contributions of boaters themselves and through close coordination between county and municipal governments, the State, and our federal partners.”
Applications for the next funding cycle opened July 15 via DNR’s online Grants Gateway. FY27 requests exceeded $45 million statewide, showing strong demand. Projects are prioritized based on local input, public benefit and alignment with state goals for navigation, safety and environmental stewardship.
For Southern Maryland residents and visitors, the grants mean safer, more accessible waterways that sustain local businesses, support first responders and preserve the Bay’s recreational heritage. From dredging channels to modernizing marinas, the funding ensures the region’s boating economy and quality of life remain strong for years ahead.
