Atlantic Marina General Manager Andy Dowell has gripes with the lack of public boat ramps in Anne Arundel County.
“Joe Blow can?t get his boat out in the Patapsco River, because the little guy can?t afford a place like mine,” he said.
“It?s tough getting a permit, and for me that?s a critical issue,” said White Rocks Marina Partner John Piera, referring to his inability to get a pool built at his marina because of zoning restrictions.
To give a forum forDowell, Piera and others in the county?s $400 million maritime industry, Anne Arundel Councilmen Josh Cohen, D-Annapolis, and Edward Middlebrooks, R-Severn, want to create a maritime industry advisory board, the first of its kind in the county. The bill is expected to be voted on Monday.
“This board can serve as a real benefit to the county?s decision-makers,” Cohen said. “They are a vital part of our economy and the government should encourage them.”
The boating industry spends about $2 billion a year in the Maryland, with most of that spent in Anne Arundel, according to a 2000 University of Maryland report on the industry. The industry generates 28,200 jobs in the state.
Anne Arundel also has about 500 miles of shoreline.
Officials said the major issues facing the maritime industry include public boat ramps, the price of gasoline, waterfront zoning and the increasing size of boats.
The board will not having governing powers but will act as an advocacy group for people such as boatsmen, marina owners and sailboat manufacturers.
The board would meet quarterly and advise the County Council and County Executive John Leopold, who will pick the 16 members, on matters important to the industry.
“Without a doubt, something like this is needed,” Dowell said.
AT A GLANCE
Anne Arundel?s proposed maritime industry board consists of 16 members, 11 of which can vote:
» Eight representing various maritime industry interests
» Two representing yacht clubs or pleasure-boating groups
» One representing a riverkeeper
» Five ex-officio (non-voting) members representing the County Council, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp., Maritime Trades Association, City of Annapolis Maritime Industry Advisory Board and David Taylor Advisory Committee.
