“Slow Zone” proposed for Crisfield Harbor
CRISFIELD, Md. – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is asking the Crisfield community to speak up about a potential “slow zone” in the Crisfield Harbor. The DNR has already held two public hearings about the proposal. “It did give people the opportunity – in a virtual hearing format, which is a little bit different than what we’ve done before – to explain their views and their positions,” said State Senator Mary Beth Carozza.
Sen. Carozza says that momentum for the proposal started about a year ago. The senator says a Crisfield man gathered more than a hundred signatures for a letter to the DNR. Sen. Carozza tells 47ABC that she’s happy to see people representing all parts of the community making their voices heard. “I was really impressed with the hearing. It was a great cross section of support of local residents, businesses, elected officials showing their support for public safety in this limited area for the slow zone,” said Sen. Carozza.
The zone would call for reduced boating speeds to six knots – or just under seven miles per hour. Sen. Carozza says the zone would take up less than a mile in the harbor. The senator tells 47ABC it would take less than five minutes to travel the distance at that speed. “I understand that some have concerns. Some of the watermen had concerns that the reduced speed would be extended all the way up the river and would cause them to take more time to actually move out into the open waters,” said Sen. Carozza.
Sen. Carozza says over the fourth of July weekend she saw boats that were traveling too fast in the area. “There was a fair amount of traffic and unfortunately I did see at least one boat speeding through that area, really highlighting the need for this public safety slow zone,” said Sen. Carozza.
The senator says she believes a slow zone would fix that and keep everyone in the harbor safe. “That’s going to protect boaters and kayakers that are going in and out of the area. It’s going to protect property as well – other boats that are docked – to reduce that wake. So I really see it as a win-win,” said Sen. Carozza.
If you’d like to voice your opinion about the proposal – you can send your ideas to a special email address set up by the DNR – BoatingRegsPublicComment.DNR@Maryland.gov
