ANNAPOLIS (January 6, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded a grant to Charles County to construct a new boat ramp facility in Mallows Bay on the Potomac River. This new public boating access facility, mostly paid for through DNR’s Waterway Improvement Fund, will include a 50-foot timber boarding pier, concrete boat launch, access road, vehicle and trailer parking, storm water management features and plantings.
The new project will provide recreational boating and fishing access to the Potomac River, which holds a great recreational fishery including large mouth bass and perch. Additionally, Mallows Bay contains the historically significant “ghost ships,” including World War I era wooden vessels. (See http://dnr.maryland.gov/naturalresource/winter2001/ghostship.html and http://somdthisisliving.somd.com/vol11num2/mallows-bay-ship-graveyard.html to learn more.)
“We are very happy to see this project move forward,” said DNR’s Boating Service Director Bob Gaudette. “Charles County has been a great partner and strong advocate in providing access to its waterways for the boating public.”
The Waterway Improvement Fund will provide $297,000 of the total project cost, estimated at $397,000. Charles County is partnering with DNR to provide the remaining $100,000 of the project cost. Construction began in November 2009 and is expected to be completed in June 2010. The fund is supported by the 5 percent vessel excise tax paid when a boat is titled in Maryland and is administered by DNR for the benefit and safety of the boating public.
“This project represents another State and Charles County Government partnership that will bring much needed boating opportunities to the Potomac River,” said Tom Roland, chief of parks & recreation for Charles County. “Recreational boaters will experience immediate access to some of our Nation’s best tidal fishing."
Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)