Proposed no-anchoring zone in Back Creek, Annapolis

[SVAuspicious]

I'm not sure how this topic (previously here http://www.sailnet.com/forums/off-to...is-zoning.html ) ended up in off-topic. I wrote the admin but never heard back.

The Capital published an article on the subject here Back Creek could get anchoring restriction • Community - Annapolis (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital) .

Note there will be a hearing before the Board of Port Wardens on June 28 at City Hall.

I have reached out to Boat/US Government Affairs. If anyone else would do the same it might increase their level of interest.

The problem is not endemic on Chesapeake Bay as it is in Florida. This is our chance to nip it in the bud.

[peterconway]

i had a fellow sailor tell me that a recent court ruling in fla has said local governments have no jurisdiction to set limits on state waters and that this should clear up some of the mess. i havent found anything online about this. Does anyone know if this is true?????
Can you give a source?

[SVAuspicious]

Hi Peter - There is a state law in FL that limits what a local jurisdiction in FL can restrict. At the same time it established a pilot program to install moorings in a number (five?) of jurisdictions; moorings effectively displace anchoring space. Search SailNet and Google for lots of information on the subject with regard to Florida.

FL law of course doesn't apply per se in Maryland.

As I understand the law in Maryland and in the City of Annapolis the Board of Port Wardens has the authority on the part of the City of Annapolis to define a no-anchoring zone. Apparently the USCG Legal Affairs folks have deferred in writing to Annapolis on the subject.

I live here and have been inconvenienced by boats anchoring off my fairway. I continue to believe that no-anchoring zone designation is not the right answer to the problem.

[peterconway]

by fairway are you talking about a golf fairway?

[SVAuspicious]

Originally Posted by peterconway

by fairway are you talking about a golf fairway?

A fairway is the stretch of water between parallel docks with slips, the latter either parallel or perpendicular to the docks.

[wingNwing]

I've got a previous committment in Philly June 28, ugh, anyone know if written comments can be submitted?

A couple of the comments in the original article got to me and inspired this: Clarification: I’m “Houseless,” not Homeless | Jaye Lunsford - Life Afloat | Blogs (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital)

[wingNwing]

I've got a previous committment in Philly June 28, ugh, anyone know if written comments can be submitted?

A couple of the comments in the original article got to me and inspired this: Clarification: I’m “Houseless,” not Homeless | Jaye Lunsford - Life Afloat | Blogs (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital)

[aa3jy]

Interesting.."No anchoring within 75 feet of this Sign"..wouldn't that put you into the slips on the other side in some sections of Back Creek? I know this would make a hot potato suggestion..but how about cutting back on those slips encroaching further into navigable waters

[SVAuspicious]

We've got room for many many dozens of boats withing the 75 foot stand-off.

[wingNwing]

Originally Posted by aa3jy

Interesting.."No anchoring within 75 feet of this Sign"..wouldn't that put you into the slips on the other side in some sections of Back Creek?

Yes, the harbormaster pointed out that this regulation effectively makes some stretches "no anchoring zones" unless the anchored boats put out both bow and stern anchors to align themselves down the middle of the creek. (For the record, this particular sign is at a wide spot near a haulout slip. To my knowledge, there are no such warning signs by the slips proposed for the no-anchoring zone. I'd certainly like to see signage as a first attempt, and a ban as a last resort!)

Originally Posted by aa3jy

I know this would make a hot potato suggestion..but how about cutting back on those slips encroaching further into navigable waters

Legally, I believe the slips are only allowed to encroach 1/4 of the way into the creek. From each side, leaving minimum 1/2 the original width.