Ch. 502                                    1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER 502

(Senate Bill 624)

AN ACT concerning

Vessels on Waters of the State - Noise Levels

FOR the purpose of broadening the applicability provisions of law prohibiting the
operation of vessels on the tidal waters of the State in excess of a certain noise
level levels by expanding the prohibition to include vessels operating on any waters
of the State; authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to adopt regulations
that would permit exceptions to the noise level requirements for certain vessels
owned by certain persons; and generally relating to prohibition's on the operation of
vessels at a certain noise level levels on certain waters of the State.

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article—Natural Resources

Section 8-725.1(d)                                                                                   

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1990 Replacement Volume and 1993 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Natural Resources

Section 8-725.4(b) and (c), (c), and (d) .                         

Annotated Code of Maryland                                                     

(1990 Replacement Volume and 1993 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

8-725.4.

(b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a person may not
operate a vessel on [the tidal] ANY waters of the State so as to exceed a noise level of
75db(a), measured from a point on shore using generally accepted testing procedures
imposed by regulations adopted by the Department based on the Marine Environment
Sound Level Measurement Procedure, SAE J 1970.

(2) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION. A
PERSON MAY NOT OPERATE A VESSEL ON THE NONTIDAL WATERS OF THE STATE SO
AS TO EXCEED THE FOLLOWING NOISE LEVELS:

1. FOR ENGINES MANUFACTURED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1993.
A NOISE LEVEL OF 90DB(A); OR

2. FOR ENGINES MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER JANUARY
1, 1993, A NOISE LEVEL OF 88DB(A).

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