The maryland department of natural resources (DNR) has a policy to restore, conserve, manage and enhance opportunities for recreational boaters along marylands atlantic coastal waters, including the…

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 awarded the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources $695,645 under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) on January 1, 2026, to rehabilitate George Island Landing, a public motorboat access facility in Stockton, Maryland.

The project will reconstruct the boat ramp, originally constructed in 1989, to include a two-lane ramp with floating boarding dock, rip rap stabilization, and reconfigured parking area. The existing ramp is the oldest in Worcester County and is extremely steep at approximately 14 feet in length. The grant also funds elevation of the access road to address chronic flooding. George Island Landing provides motorized boaters and anglers with access to Chincoteague Bay, one of only three public boat ramps in Maryland with access to that water body. The facility, owned and managed by Worcester County, currently operates year-round at no user fee and includes restroom amenities.

The Sport Fish Restoration program funds state sport fish restoration, conservation, management, and enhancement activities, including provision and maintenance of public motorboat access facilities. Funding derives from excise taxes on motorboat fuel, certain electric motors, fishing equipment, and import duties on fishing tackle and yachts, deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund and apportioned to states by formula.

Performance period runs through December 31, 2030, with work performed at George Island Landing, MD 21864.

The maryland department of natural resources (DNR) has a policy to restore, conserve, manage and enhance opportunities for recreational boaters along marylands atlantic coastal waters, including the coastal bays, as well as inland and tidal waters. With a combination of maryland waterway improvement funds, local funding and federal aid in sport fish restoration program funds, the maryland DNR is able to pursue the enhancement aspect of this goal by providing and helping to maintain public motorboat access facilities for recreational boaters and anglers within the state. Given the continued popularity of boating and sport fishing across both coastal and BAY regions, there is an ongoing need to expand and modernize access infrastructure to accommodate growing demand and promote safe, equitable access.worcester county owns, manages and maintains george island landing which is located in stockton, MD and provides the motorized boating public with access to chincoteague BAY. The facility includes a boat ramp and restroom amenities. IT is one of only three public boat ramps in maryland with access to the chincoteague BAY. Chincoteague BAY is a shallow, highly productive coastal lagoon that supports rich wildlife, traditional fisheries, and unique cultural icons like the assateague ponies. Constructed in 1989, the boat ramp, boarding docks, and parking area have undergone only limited maintenance such as repaving the boat ramp and rehabilitating the bulkhead. The current ramp is the oldest in the county and is also extremely steep with a length of approximately 14 feet. The new ramp will feature a two-lane boat ramp, floating boarding dock, RIP RAP, and a reworked parking lot. Additionally, the access road is prone to flooding. Grant funds will be used to raise the road in order to alleviate this problem.george island landing is open year-round and there is currently no fee to use the boat ramp.