Maryland DNR Public Hearing Tonight on Upper Bay Noise Levels

     Elkton, MD -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed new sound level limits for vessels using the Elk and Northeast Rivers and all tributaries including the Bohemia River and the C&D Canal. The hearing will be held at the Elkton High School (Room F-107), 110 James Street, Elkton, MD 21921 on Tuesday, May 24. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m.

     The noise limit would be reduced from the existing statewide standard of 90 decibels to 88 decibels for engines made after January 1993. The 90-decibel rule would still apply to older boats. Another proposed regulation would make cut-off switches that bypass or reduce the effectiveness of exhaust-pipe mufflers illegal.

      Interested parties who have questions or wish to submit comments via e-mail may do so by contacting Mike Grant, Regulations Coordinator for Boating Services at mgrant@dnr.state.md.usor by U.S. mail to Mike Grant, Regulations Coordinator, DNR-Boating Services Unit, 580 Taylor Avenue, E-4, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or by telephone at 410-260-8013.