C & D canal regulations - new speed limit in 2012

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C_Spray

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Buoys have been placed in the western end of the C&D Canal indicating an 35 knot daytime/20 knot nighttime speed limit. Does anyone know what the process was for this? I was not aware of any advance public notice, hearings, etc.
I can't figure why this was determined to be more important than establishing and enforcing a proper no-wake zone in the area of the Chesapeake City basin.
 
Chuck -

What are they defining as the western end of the C&D Canal? Are they starting it where the Elk splits off to the left, and the Canal goes to the right, just above G25 and R26?

This will suck for you performance boaters. Some will barely be on plane at 35 Knts / 40 mph, and making bigger wakes.
 
It's for the manatee, just like in Florida :-)
 
I can survive running 40 mph instead of 53 or so. It will only take a minute longer and a little more fuel to get the the Inn (or Schaefers). I'm more concerned over an apparent lack of due process, i.e. what will we see next???
 
Chuck -

Did the noise restriction ever get passed an enacted?

MD has been going nuts lately on the restrictions and fees. Incressed registration fees, ... noise level rules, .... speed limits, ... raft-up limits, etc.
 
HERE ARE THE STATUTES:

08.18.39.01

.01 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal — Maryland Waters.
A. All of the waters of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, east of a line beginning at a point on the shore of Welch Point, at or near Lat. 39°31.466'N., Long. 75°52.681'W., then running 137° (True) to a point on the southern shore of Back Creek, at or near Lat. 39°31.181'N., Long. 75°52.343'W.; and west of the Maryland-Delaware State line, beginning at a point on the north shore of the canal, at or near Lat. 39°32.197'N., Long. 75°46.769'W., then running 176° (True) to a point on the south shore of the canal, at or near Lat. 39°32.077'N., Long. 75°46.759'W.

B. The Maryland portion of the canal shall haveat all times a maximum speed limit of 35 knots sunrise to sunset and 20 knots sunset to sunrise for all watercraft.

08.18.39.9999

Administrative History
Effective date:
Regulation .01 adopted as an emergency provision effective September 17, 2011 (38:21 Md. R. 1274); adopted permanently effective February 6, 2012 (39:2 Md. R. 140)

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE "EMERGENCY" WAS?
 
Thanks Chuck. From those coordintes, it looks like the speed limit does start near the Elk/C&D split. And, of course, ends at the DE line. Eyeballing it, it looks to be about 5 miles long, plus or minus.

I'm guessing that the "emergency" was that Mrs. Fuddlebottom ran out of blue hair coloring, and while she headed out to the store to buy more, she got disoriented by the boats she spotted moving at "ghastly" speeds through the water.
That's probably it.
 
Here is the email that I sent to the Maryland DNR:

Dear Sir or Madam:

In regards to Maryland 08.18.39.01 and 08.18.39.9999:

[*]What was the nature and details of the "emergency" that required action on this matter?
[*]What was the nature of notices posted allowing for any public comment or input?
[*]What allowances will be made for spedometer error(s) and tidal currents?
[*]In the case of a violation, will the offending opertator be issued a speeding ticket?
[*]Once an operator is issued a speeding ticket for operating a pleasure boat in excess of the speed limit does this ticket in any way affect the operators motor vehicle driving history (i.e., will this be a points offence) ?
[*]What method is DNR using to determine speed ? LIDAR speed gun?
[*]What are the fines for speeding offender? Will they be graduated fine based on how many miles per hour over the limit like the automobile laws?
[*]Will there be speed limit signs and will these signs be posted on the banks of the canal or hang from the Bridge?
[*]What court will hear these cases?

Thank you for your time.

Best regards,

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, here's the scoop. I'll give them credit for a quick response.

Sir;

[*]This term emergency in this context is used to denote a regulation that takes effect earlier than a normal regulation which is effective October 1, each year.
[*]This was posted in news papers. More information can be obtain by contacting Boating Services at 410-260-8462.
[*]This up to Officer discretion how much, if any allowance is allowed.
[*]As per Maryland law, a citation or warning is issued for each for each offense.
[*]No boating violations affect your motor vehicle driving license.
[*]Officers used RADAR Guns that are licensed and calibrated before and after use.
[*]The fine is established by District Court court at $85 regardless of the set above the posted speed limit for boating violations.
[*]The area will be marked by navigational buoys.
[*]The court will located in the county of the offense.

I hope this helps.

Sgt. Arthur A. Windemuth

Public Information Officer
Office of the Superintendent
Maryland Natural Resources Police
Tawes State office Building, E-3
580 Taylor Ave.
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Email: awindemuthrb2@gr5tdnr.state.md.us
Office: 410-260-8850
Cell: 410-713-8449
Fax: 410-260-8878
 
Guess guys will have to start using Radar detectors on their boats now to avoid "Smokies". Wonder if we'll start hearing 'breaker one six, this heres the rubber duck, we got us a Kojack with a Kodak in a plain brown wrapper takin' pitures by the Chessie City bridge, 'mon back'.
 
<<...."Guess guys will have to start using Radar detectors on their boats now to avoid "Smokies". Wonder if we'll start hearing 'breaker one six, this heres the rubber duck, we got us a Kojack with a Kodak in a plain brown wrapper takin' pitures by the Chessie City bridge, 'mon back'." ...>>

Haha! That's pretty good. ... Might have to borrow that.
 
Chuck -

Great job getting those questions out there. It's surprising that they replied so fast.

Was there any indiction they gave of the of the need or reason for a speed limit in that area?
 
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