County Clarifies Dock Rules, Says Fishing and Crabbing Still Allowed

Dorchester County, MD - County Manager Jerry Jones is clearing up confusion about a recent amendment to the public dock and bulkhead rules, and he wants residents to know that fishing and crabbing are still welcome at the waterfront.

Jones said the rules governing the public dock and bulkhead have been on the books since March 7, 2000. The new amendment does not change those rules. It only changes who can enforce them.

Under the updated bill, the county can now use an authorized towing contractor to remove vehicles or obstructions that violate the existing rules. That was not an option before.

Jones also addressed a mistake he made after the public notice went out. He said he initially misread a provision related to "seafood" and wanted to set the record straight.

"After the public notice of the changes to the bill, I realized I misinterpreted the provision associated with 'seafood,'" Jones said. "As such, public fishing and crabbing are allowed."
The county manager said the whole point of the amendment is to make sure the bulkhead stays open and usable for everyone.

"The goal of the amendment is to keep the bulkhead open and usable for the public as intended," Jones said. "There have been ongoing situations where obstructions and long-term use have made parts of the bulkhead unavailable to the general public."

In short, people who enjoy spending time at the dock should not see much change in their day to day experience. The rules themselves are the same. The county just now has a faster way to deal with anyone who blocks access for others.

No timeline has been announced for when towing services will begin, but county officials say the focus is on keeping the space fair and accessible for the whole community.