Cobb Island residents who appeared at a public hearing Feb. 28 spoke out overwhelmingly against a fishing pier and kayak launch proposed by Maryland Department of Natural Resources in Neale Sound.
La Plata, MD – The citizens of Charles County have spoken and in the case of the proposed Cobb Island fishing pier and kayak launch, their leaders heard them.
The Charles County Commissioners voted 4-0 (Commissioner Debra Davis was absent) to draft a letter to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that they reconsider their proposal to place a fishing pier in the middle of Neale Sound—a narrow thoroughfare with strong current.
“I think it was clear that there is no interest among the citizens of Cobb Island for fishing pier or kayak launch there,” Commissioner Ken Robinson [D – District 1] noted. “I suggest we draft a letter to the Department of Natural Resources stating that based on community input, we ask that they not establish a fishing pier or kayak launch in Neale Sound. Perhaps just a passive landscape to the area up to the bridge, but that’s all.”
“This proposal was based on a state law,” said Commissioner President Peter Murphy [D]. “The state wants to look for places to give more water access and DNR came up with this idea. I want to compliment the people who came out and expressed their opinion at the public hearing. There were many good suggestions that came out of their comments. One of the things is, they suggested we consider asking the state to look at other locations in Charles County and because they want to be able to provide these type of amenities, we may look for other places to put this. I’d like to add that to the letter.”
“The letter should thank them for considering us and based on input from our citizens, we would like to consider other options,” he stated.
“Since they are budgeting this we would be happy to take their money and create this entity elsewhere in Charles County,” Robinson noted.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
Related articles: http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0217/cobbislandresidentsspeakoutathearing.html