HB 617 is a terrible bill against public water access

On Feb. 3, 2023, Del. Stuart Schmidt (R-District 33B) introduced HB 617, in the House Environment and Transportation Committee. This bill would remove the sunset clause on a very bad regulation that restricts the hours water skiers can use the Maynadier Creek regulated ski course for the benefit of a few privileged waterfront homeowners.

A similar bill was introduced last year and failed for good reason. Maynadier Creek ski course is one of three state-sanctioned ski courses and is unique as it is protected from boat wakes and wind-induced waves. It provides a safe course for competitive water skiers. The ski boats are designed to produce little or no wake for the safety of the skier. These boats and the course are regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, whose authority over Maynadier Creek would be permanently supplanted by this bill. There are skiers, stand-up paddleboarders, kayakers, crabbers, sailboats and raft-ups all enjoying Maynadier Creek in harmony without a single complaint registered with DNR

The effects of COVID with more people working from home have resulted in a proliferation of boats on the water at all times of the day and days of the week. Maynadier Creek is the only public waterway skiers can ski without the risk of injury from a boat wake.

Yet, apparently, Schmidt has become captive to the parochial interests of some of the wealthy Maynadier Creek waterfront homeowners, who would like to have their own private waterway to which they can control access.

This is unprecedented and would open the door for other legislation restricting PUBLIC ACCESS to other waterway users such as sailboats, commercial traffic, fishing, crabbing. Who is next?

We suggest Schmidt legislate for public waterway access not against it.

HB 617 is a terrible bill against public water access! — Capt. Christopher Yearwood, Severna Park