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l6d '14 5,4 U 1, 91" lol- AL Of JTP %r*V -w HARBOR, MANAGEt HT N 393 .M3 H37 1987 FORD IV's ACKNOWLEDEMENTS TOWN COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD Fletcher Hanks, President Emory L. Balderson William Kouzoulas HARBOR MANAGEMENT STUDY COMITTEE Fletcher Hanks, Chairman William J. Holt, Jr. Arthur D. Welton Edmund A, Stanley, Jr, TALBOT COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT Anthony D. Redman, Planner Deborah A, Bauer, Zoning Administrator Janice M. Currie Diane Walker PLANNING CONSULTANT James M, Hutto U.S. Department of Commerce NOAA Coastal Services Center Library South Hobson Avenue Charleston SC 29405-2413 Special Thanks to John Williams, Ph.D. of the Tidewater Administration for computer programming assistance and to: Mrs. Dotty Eutsler Mrs. Belinda Gray Mrs. Kay Scaggs for their help above and beyond the call of duty, TABLE OF COTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................ ........i TABLE.OF CONTENTS ............... ii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................... iii LIST OF MAPS ... ......... iii INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT, ........... iv CHAPTER I. BACKGROUND DATA Environmental Conditions ..........I-2 Waterfront Land Use ......... 1-9 Economy......................................................I-11 Transport tion ....... .......................... I-13 Community Facilities........................................... I-16 .CHAPTER II. PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS Town Resident Survey.,...... ....... .........II-2 Results .............. ................. ........... III-8 Marina Survey .............. ........... II-10 Results .... ........ ..... .... ...... CHAPTER III, OBJECTIVES AND RECOMMENDATIONS Objectives ......................... .................. III-1 Recommendations ...................................... III-8 CHAPTER IV. A. Administrative Considerations Introduction ........ IV-2 Intragovernmental'Considerations IV-2 Board of Port Wardens... ... IV-5 Establishment of Harborline ....... ......... IIV-9 Modifications to Zoning Ordinance ....... ........ IV-18 Establishment of Harbor Management Regulations.,IV-29 Fire and Safety Contingency PlanningIV-4l Bo Management Considerations Channels and Anchorage Areas.......,.., ......... IV-44 Dredging Program ...... .... IV-47 Publicly Owned Waterfront Structures APPENDIX 1 TOWN SURVEY EVALUATION ............................. A-1 APPENDIX 2 WATERFRONT STRUCTURE: EVALUATION ................... A-2 APPENDIX 3 WATERFRONT STRUCTURE: MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS ....... A-3 APPENDIX 4 RELATED CORRESPONDENCE .... ........... A-4 APPENDIX 5 0XFORD HARBOR MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE #173, ....... A-5 ii LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1. Surface Wind Data FIGURE 2, Relationship of Port Wardens to Existing Town Government. FIGURE 3. Relationship of Harbormaster to Port Wardens FIGURE 4. Ordinance establishing the Board of Port Wardens FIGURE 5. Determination of Usable Waterway FIGURE 6. Dredge Spoil Siting Criteria FIGURE 7. Bulkheading, Projected Lifetime LIST OF WS MAP 1. Regional Setting 'MAP 2. Harbor Water Depth MAP 3. Wetlands MAP 4. Boat Congestion in Town Waters MAP 5. Proposed Harbor Line MAP 6, Fire and Safety Contingency Planning MAP 7. Anchorage and Channel Area MAP 8. Waterfront Structures Introduction to Project The purpose of this planning effort is to provide for the Town of Oxford, a comprehensive management plan which will serve Town Officials with both guidance and assistance in the formulation of decisions regarding the administration of Town waters. The Town of Oxford has in the past, benefited from a high de- gree of reinvestment in both housing and waterfront facilities. Because of the natural beauty, tranquility, and historic significance in and around Oxford, there is presently a seasonal period of tourist influx (both from land and water) which precipitates con- gestion problems in this small town. The waterborne tourist traffic places a stress on the ability of local boaters to have adequate movement in and out of Town Creek as well as the other waters of Oxford. The degree of seasonal congestion in the area has reached a point where failure, to properly and equitably manage the town owned waters could degrade the attractiveness of the historic water- front for both the visitor and town resident. iv 4 I I I I I C[WTR I I BACKGROUND DATA I I I I I I I I I I I-1 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Regional Setting The Town of Oxford, and indeed all of Talbot County, lies wholly within the Atlantic Coastal plan region, The town itself is located on a trian- gular peninsula lying between the Tred Avon River and Town Creek near the confluence of the Choptank and Tred Avon Rivers, See Map # 1, The town has an ideal natural harbor opening to the Tred Avon River and extending southward over three quarters of a mile. There is also another portion of this creek offering many additional thousands of feet of shoreline re- presenting potential for future development, .7 Talbot County 0 xfo rd VILLAGE ZON ES INCORPORATED -:27 TOWNS KU ME,, 1-2 Water Depth During the summer of 1980 an engineering firm contacted by the Army Corps of Engineers performed a hydrographic survey of Town Creek delineating the bottom contour, This map i's reproduced in part fn Map #2. The map is shown here and is used elsewhere throughout this report. The dotted line followfng the shore is the approximate five foot contour later used to designate shoal areas which are discussed later in the text. Wind and Fetch Characteristics The prevafling wind typically comes from either the west-north- west, northwest, northeast, or from the south, Durfng the wi,nter, spring and fall the winds are usually strongest from these four points however, during the summer the winds are strongest primarfly from the south. Despite the variation in wind intensities, the percent of calm stays relatively the same throughout the year. The data presented here fs from the Annapolis Naval Weather Service Station #13752 and is considered indicattve of surface winds for the Oxford area, In light of these four crftical wind directions it should be noted that only the southerly winds have a sizable fetch withfn Town Creek. A fetch is defined as the distance over wh-ich waves are gen- erated by a wind comi,ng from a particular directton, The southerly winds have about a half mfle of open water to bui,ld waves before the waves break on porti,ons of the shore. As for the fetch facing the River si-de of Oxford the situation i's quite,fifferent, The northern and western shores of Oxford are open to significant fetches whtch-du- ring strong storm winds h4ve a potenti-41 for considerable damage from large storm waves, If an average gale fntensfty for the area is tden- tifted then esti'mates of expected wave height can be made. Accordfng to hfstoric4l data an approxi'mated gale intensity for the northeasterly winds would be about 45 miles per hour, The expected wave for such a storm would stand about two feet high as 4 result of the one mile fetch to the northeast. Storms of greater intensity would bring greater waves, 75 miles per hour winds would likely bring 3.5 foot waves, and 100 mile per hour winds from the northeast would likely bring 4.5 foot waves. These waves will be in addition to any accom- paning elevation in sea level locally, due to storm surge or astrono- mical tides. 1-3 -W 2 HARBOR DEPTH its, F-1 TrI LEGEND 5 Ft. 6 Ft. 7 Ft. 8 Ft. 1-4 FIGURE I FREQUENCY OF WIND VELOCITIES FOR ANNAPOLIS (Velocities in Knots) WIND AVERAGE FOR AVE-RAGE FOR AVERAGE FOR AVERAGE FOR DIRECTION JAN - APR MAY - AUG SEPT - DEC YEAR N 4.0 2.5 4.1 3.5 NNE 4.3 3.9 5.2 4.5 NE 5.3 5.5 5.7 5.5* ENE 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.5 E 2.9 3.5 2.8 3.0 ESE 1.7 2.8 2.1 2.2, SE 2.4 4.5 2.6 3.2 SSE 4.3 7.0 4.3 5.1 S 10.1 13.5 10.1 11.2 SSW 4.3 6.1 5.9 5.4 SW 3.6 5.5 5.0 43 WSW 3.4 4.7 4.2 4.1 W 4.0 5.2 5.5 4.9. WNW 11.7 9.1 9.5 10.1 NW 13.5 7.4 11.1 10.7 NNW 7.6 2.9 6.3 5.6 CALM 13.6 12.6' 12.4 12.9 ANNUAL WIND DIRECTION N (Percentages) This chart shows the average annual directions and percentages of surface winds coming.from the sixteen points of the compass. 0, M. 10 5 5 10 3 SJI.A.R., WBANI Station No. 13752 (Annapolis, 11D, NAF), Naval Weather Service Division, National Weather Records Center, Ashville, North Carolina, 1960, p. 1-6. 1-5 Flooding Hazard* Hurricane, prolonged rainstroms, and periods of high surface water runoff from melting snow are fairly common occurences in much of Mary- land. These natural phenomena often result in severe flooding of land areas adjacent to streams and rivers. Surface flooding may produce both property damage and personal injury. Avoiding the consequences of periodic flooding requires a concerted effort on the part of all three levels of government (federal, state and local) in flood management. Presently, the Baltimore District of the Army Corps of Engineers is engaged in a tidal flooding study for the Chesapeake Bay. As a re- sult of this study, there should be information generated for Oxford showing the portions of the town potentially subjected to flooding dur- ing occurance of the 100 and 500 year floods. This data should be available during the following year. Wetlands Currently, Oxford has four primary sites designated as wetlands on the Department of Natural Resources "Wetlands Maps." These sites are legally protected from development because of their importance within the local ecosystem. These marshes are shown on Map No. 3. The ability of these areas to filter pollutants from the water column make them especially important around Oxford. They also serve as habitat and food source for wild ducks, other birds and associated wildlife. Water Quality For many years the waters in Town Creek have been plagued by periodic water quality degration. The State Health Department has carried out studies in the harbor and surrounding area to identify the source or sources of the problem. During these studies no individual sources were found but the synergistic effect of various sources work- ing together seemed to be the problem. The municipal sewage plant is presently dumping its effluent into the head of Town Creek which may from time to time negatively impact water quality in Town Creek. Additionally, adjacent agricultural lands may produce chemical runoff sufficient to *Army Corps of Engineers, Tidal Flooding Study: Draft, Stage 2 Report. 1-6 MAP 3 L E EG ND Wetlands 7 77 1-7 periodically degrade water quality, During heavy boating periods addi- tional pollutant loading to the waters come from overboard flushing of heads from visting boaters, This practice is probably still occurring. However, ft i's only noticable during crowded weekend during the summer, It is during these periods that significant water quality degradation occurs, The combination of boating pollution, low flushing action, high water temperature and other pollution sources apparently produce periodfc water qualfty problems usually only lasting a few days and killing a few hundred fish and crabs. Abatement of this problem will probably tie tied to providing efficient on-shore restroom facilities and sufficfent pump-out factlities, Sedimentation One of the pressing problems in the waters of Oxford is the gra- dual development of shoaling, This is,A natural phenomenon that is being accelerated in Town Creek by-stormwater drainage that flows into those waters, Because sections of the harbors edge are sites of com- mercial activity, this shoaling becomes more than an inconvenience as open water anchorage competes with the surface requirements- for or- derly-movement of waterborne traffic. Due to the adjacent topography, the harbor naturally catches runoff from many areas of land, however, due to the location of the street network Town Creek received a greater amount of runoff then would normally occur, Much of the land adjacent to Town Creek and its' related tribu- taries is in agricultural production, consequently these lands have a high potential for introducing significant amounts of sediment if large rainstorms occur before the crops have had time to establish root systems. Some of the negative effects of accelerated sedimentation can be best demonstrated through estimated costs of removal and disposal of dredge spoil. (See Chapter IV B, "Dredging Program"). In the future as additions are made to the existing storm water drainage system, care should be taken to more equally distribute the runoff tnto other adjacent water bodies, thus avoiding an increase in the rate of sedi- mentation in the harbor area, Erosion Because the shoreline in and near Oxford is almost completely lined with either bulkhead or riprap the retreat of the shoreline has basically stopped, Before the installation of such shore protection, the rate of erosion for this area was identified as either slight (less than 2 feet/year) or low, (between 2 and 4 feet/year), 1-8 Waterfront Land Use Introduction The process of conducting a waterfront land use inventory involves an analysis to determine the impact that these associated uses have on the Oxford waterfront area in general as well as the impact that the various uses have on each other. The present residential water- front land use patterns have developed for the most part as a result of historic growth patterns. Similarly, commercial waterfront in the Oxford of today resulted from the conversion of seafood packing houses- and boat building establishments into marinas and restaurants. Because land use controls such as zoning, will probably determine future growth and development trends, this chapter will also include discussion of present zoning policies for the town owned waterfront. These policy objectives will be examined for their sensitivity to existing as well as future needs. Land Use Inventory In order to evaluate the interaction between the various land uses on the shoreline all waterfront parcels were placed into categories. These divisions are as follows: A. Residential B. Public and Semi-Public C. Marine Commercial D. Agricultural/Open Space The town waterfront was then measured and divided among the cate- gories mentioned above. The results are presented below, and are listed both as total feet of waterfront per category, and the percent of total waterfront. These measurements are also segregated into Town Creek and Tred Avon River waterfront and then added together to give a total for the town. 1-9 OXFORD WATERFRONT LAIIID USE Town Creek Tred Avon Total Feet % Feet % Feet % Residential 9,000 69.0 4,800 49.6 13,800 61.0 Public, Semi-Public 150 1.0 675 7.0 825 3.6 Commercial 3,600 28.C 21100 21.7 5,700 25.2 Open Space 222 2.0 2,100 21.7 2,322 10.3 TOTAL 12,972 100 9,675 1100 1 22,647 1 100 Waterfront Land Use Presently there is approxi'mately 22,647 feet of waterfront in Ox- ford, The Town Creek area, i,ncludi,ng Jack's Point, compri. ses 57.3% of the total town waterfront, The total 22,647 feet of waterfront is di- vided into residential, semfmpublic, public, commerctal and open space, The residenti'al waterfront constitutes approximately 13,800 feet or 61% of this area, There are 5,700 feet of waterfront whi-ch fs taken up by commerctal uses, Addftfonal public and semi--public land use comprises 3.6% while open space land use comprises the rematning 10.3% of the area waterfront, There are nfne commerci-al establishments, and one semi-public oper- ati,on and all of these are surrounded by resi-dential properttes. Many of these commercial establishments are located at the end of qui,et res- idential streets, The tourists coming to Oxford arrive both by land and by water, the locatton of waterfront commercial establishments at the end of residentfal nei,ghbortioods requires land based tourist traf- fic to travel through these neighborhoods, This activity has a dis- ruptive effect on adjacent residential areas, Because of the limited optfons available, strategies designed to deal with these negative im- pacts will only be able to minimize, but not solve, this problem. Public and semi-public waterfront total approximately 825 feet of shorefront. This land is spread throughout town, some of which is lo- cated at the end of various dead-end streets, around the waterfront. However, there are three locations which total approximately 375 feet of bulkhead adjacent to Town Creek, that are used for town slips, There is also another 260 feet of concrete bulkhead and riprap adjacent to The Morris Street Park on the Tred Avon River. I-10 Oxford Waterborne Economy Introduction Since it's earliest days, Oxford has been a waterfront oriented com- unity with the early economy based on shipbuilding and the seafood har- vestfng industry. Eventually these industries were dominated by the sea- food packing industry which ultimately suffered from an insufficient num- ber of employees and the rising value of waterfront real estate, Through the years, the recreational boating industry has continued to grow which has provided for the eventual conversion of seafood pro- cessing and shipbulding operations to the marina and boat repair in- dustry. In light of statewide, as well as local conditions, Oxford has slowly lost its economic base as a home port for seafood har- vesting, Marinas In spite of the limited size and confined waters of Town Creek there are eight commercial marinas as well as two publfc docks and berthing areas, Addttionally there are one marina and one yacht club on the Tred Avon River within town limits, There are at present approximately 453 commercfal slips in the Ox- ford marinas, with.approximately 383 of these slips within Town Creek, There are also various private properties with-in own Creek which lease or rent mooring and slip facilities, Collectively the commercial marinas in Oxford offer fuel docks, dry storage, boat repair and service, ships stores, and restaurants, One of the marinas in Oxford is also reportedly planning to install a pump-put facility in the near future for boat toilet holdfng tanks, During the last 20 years, as the demand for marina facilities and services has continued, the gradual expansion of the marinas has pro- ceeded until at present the limit for expansion channelward may have been reached, Consequently, in the future the town may expect to see efforts by the marina owners to reconfigure, Reconfiguration of slip and pier layout can often provide needed financial savings in this type of labor intensive industry, It will be essential for the town to cooperate with the marina owners in their efforts to improve the effi- ciency and effectiveness of their operations. These maritime oriented operations are presently generatfng approximately $4.4 mi'llfon in gross revenue per year, Thfs gross revenue is then in turn used to pay for salaries to employees, ser- vice charges for utilities, taxes, and maintaining inventories. In order to demonstrate the overall effect of gross revenue on a local economy, the economists often multiply total gross revenue by three to estimate the amount of potential business a certain number of dol- lars will generate in a local economy. Using this formula, the total potential effect of marina generated business on the local e!=omy would be about $10 million per year. Because of the limited commu- nity-oriented commercial development in Oxford at present this maximum potential turnover of local dollars is not realized, although this money is probably spent regionally. The nine marine oriented businesses in Oxford presently have an assessed market value of approximately $2.89 million, This figure re- presents 53% of the total value of all improved commercfal proper- ties in Oxford. This provides considerable contribution to the county and town property tax revenues, Employment from the marinas and marina owned restaurants is approximately 154 full time and 46 part time, Together these re- present 200 employees locally which is certainly a major contribution to employment in Oxford. Commercial Fishing As was mentioned earlier, Oxford was at one time a center for commercial seafood activity. However, due to employment problems and rising cost of waterfront property as well as other external economic forces, Oxford has lost its strong economic base in seafood. Despite the diminished importance of seafood harvesting in Oxford, there were approximatley 21,000 bushes of oysters bought in the harbor during the 79/80 season. At $8.00 per bushel this equaled about $168,000 in gross revenue generated due to oyster buying. In order to demonstrate the full impact of oyster buying to a local economy, the Seafood Market- ing Division of Maryland Department of Economic and Community Develop- ment multiplies the gross revenue by five to get a dollar figure. This figure is considered to estimate the turnover of dollars in a local economy for the purchasing of food, clothing, fuel, etc. For the Oxford seafood buyers the gross revenue for the 79/80 season of $168,000 would become slightly less than $840,000 for that period. This analysis does not take into account the revenue made from clamming operations or crab- bing. There are no State records kept on catches for crabs and clams in local areas, therefore, the effect of this revenue could not be factored in, even though it could also be an important source of local revenue. 1-12 TRANSPORTATION Introduction Transportation related impacts on the Oxford waterfront can be divided into two primary categories, overland and waterborne traffic. Overland traffic is discussed relative to existing roadways, availability of parking, as well as tourist foot traffic and related accessibility. Waterborne traffic is likewise examined according to channels for movement within the harbor, mooring or anchorage areas, and among permanent slip areas. Vehicular Transportation With-respect to the waterfront, the physical layout of Ox- ford, Cits streets and land parcels) are a result of two types of growth. The early development and growth was largely that of an unorganized growth occurring during the initial settlement of the town., Eventually, however, growth and development began to follow a pattern similar to the designs being taught in the British and European planning schools of the day. This heritage is responsible for much of the Oxford char- acter and charm as well as certain vehicular movement problems. These problems are centered around the streets ending at the waters edge CSee Map No. 4 ). This type of layout requires unfamiliar traffic to travel to the end of the various dead- end streets before discovering that their destination is in- accessible from that location. Consequently the meanderinq ve- hicular traffic through quiet residential neighborhoods has a disruptive effect on the otherwise pleasant ckaracter of those areas. Establishing better signs in such areas for directing tour- ist traffic would offer an alternative to this type of vehicular traffic problem. Parking Existing parking facilities for harbor users are for cer- tain areas sufficient, while for other areas around the harbor, the parking is inadequate and consequently leads to congestion problems in these areas. The town of Oxford has approximately 40 slips that are A 1-13 MAP 4 BOATING COINGESTIR-1 0 1!,..!ATER PTORING PET LEGEND Army Corps of Engineers Channel Anchorages 9-29-80 BQOAT I NI- PB! 1-14 rented to town residents on an annual basis. These slips are located at the foot of Tilghman St. and Market Street and at the head of Town Creek. The slips at the head of Town Creek have a sufficient number of parking spaces for the 24 slips located there. The slips located at Tilghman Street have enough parking area available for the seven slips located there. The parking provided for the slips located at the foot of Market Street however, is inadequate. This last site could be improved by providing some additional parking surface within the unused right- of way.. Foot Traffic- A large majority of the pedestrian traffic in Oxford during the summer and fall months is due to the landbased tourists who arrive primarily by car. Additionally, boats often spend evenings ashore in restaurants, sight-seeing and purchasing pro- visions for their craft. Presently there are no central locations for the boaters to use to get ashore. If there were some central points of access then major points of interest could be identified and un- necessary foot traffic through town could be minimized. Waterborne Traffic Oxford presently has a channel designated by the Army Corps of Engineers running the length of Town Creek. However, due to an ever increasing influx of recreational boaters during summer weekends, the waters of Town Creek are often difficult to manuver in and through. (See Map No. 4 ). The Harbor Management Ad- visory committee has proposed better marking the two Army Corps of Engineers' anchorage areas. Another of the constraints placed on a more effective use of the water surface in Town Creek is the degree of shoaling. Shoaling has limited a great deal of Town Creek to boats that draw less than four feet. This con- dition has been developing for many years and will soon need to be addressed. 1-15 Community Facilities Introduction Oxford's traditional orientation to the water has endured to the present as one of its most valued characteristics. This attitude is confirmed by the 2,679 feet of town owned waterfront scattered through the town. These locations are for the most part bulkheaded or riprapped and are often used for points of access to the water by the general public. The following inventory identifies both the various locations of publicly owned waterfront and their associated structures, and is followed by a brief description of improvements at each site, IMPROVED PUBLIC WATERFRONT Head of Town Creek 225 Bulkhead/Slips/Dock "The Strand" 1,530 Riprap/Beach/Bulkhead Morris Street 95 Bulkhead/Armorstone Pleasant Street 40 Bulkhead/Armorstone Town Square 250 Bulkhead/Armorstone/Groins Benoni Street 55 Bulkhead/Armorstone West Division Street 40 Bulkhead West end of "The Strand" 40 Groins North end of "The Strand" 40 Bulkhead Tilghman Street 120 Dock/Bulkhead/Boatramp/Slips Market Street 35- Dock SUBTOTAL 2@470 UNIMPROVED PUBLIC WATERFRONT Lot across from "The Beach" 125 Foot of First Street 28 Foot of Bonfield Street 28 Foot of Riverview Avenue 40 Foot of Myrtle Street 28. SUBTOTAL 249 TOTAL 2,719 1-16 PUBLIC WATERFRONT USES HEAD OF TOWN CREEK There are approximately 225 feet of bulkhead adjacent to a macadam parking lot which serves 24 municipal slips located on two docks. "THE STRAND" 1,530 feet of waterfront some of which serves as a public beach for swimming.-Alarge portion of this waterfront is riprapped and a section is also protected with a timber bulkhead. FOOT OF MORRIS STREET Approximately 95 feet of timber bulkhead adjacent to a gravel parking lot., FOOT OF PLEASANT STREET There are 40 feet of bulkhead in this location used for bank support only. TOWN SQUARE This is a Town Common with 250 feet of shoreline. During the summer it serves as a public beach. BENONI STREET The 55 feet of bulkheaded shoreline at the foot of this street is used only for visual access. WEST DIVISION STREET 40 feet of bulkheaded shoreline. WEST END OF "THE STRAND" 40 feet of sand beach with stone groins. 1-17 TILGHMAN STREET There are 120 feet of bulkhead at this location with one boat ramp and a dock. There are seven municipal slips located on this property. MARKET STREET The 35 feet of shoreline at the foot of Market Street are used for a municipal dock with nine town owned slips. 1-18 Waterfront Structure Inventory An inventory of waterfront structures throughout town-was performed during this planning period and the results are pre- sented in the last chapter. The results indicate that a majority of the waterfront structures should last well into the future but because many of these structures were apparently constructed during the late 1960's and early 1970's, their replacement may be required during the same 10 year period. Consequently in order for a municipality with limited fiscal capacity to provide for replacement of such structures a program for amortizing an- ticipated costs should be undertaken immediately. This program could be in part funded by the revenue from municipal boat slips as well as other harbor related revenue. The Town of Oxford also owns a large section of waterfront at the west end of "The Strand", which is leased to the Tred Avon Yacht Club. The property is maintained by the Yacht Club and the leasing situation is not expected to change in the near future. Contested Public Lands There are several parcels of seemingly public waterfront land in Oxford that are presently being contested. Many of these disagreements go back many years and may only find satisfaction through legal channels. However, the ownership of those un- resolved portions of waterfront should be established whenever possible and proper use made of these lands. 1-19 CRAPTER 11 MINING CONSIDERATIONS Planning Considerations Community Survey During the fall of 1980 a mail-out survey was developed and sent to the residents of Oxford. The mailing list was sent to 444 individuals. Questions on the survey covered many relevant issues concerning the use and management of the town waterfront. The results of the survey were compiled with the assistance of the Tidewater Fisheries and the Coastal Resource Division of Tidewater Administration, Maryland Department of Natural Re- sources. A copy of the survey follows and the complete results are presented in Appendix 1. Profile of Respondents The survey of harbor use has yielded a 39.2% return overall. This is generally considered a respectable percent of return for a mailout survey. This survey asked respondents several questions, regarding sex, age and length of time in the area. This data is of use to give a description of the survey respondents. Age The respondents for this survey were all 20 years old or older. Nine people were between 20 and 30 years old, twenty people were 30 to 44, forty-seven people were 45 to 64, and forty-eight people were 65 or over. Sex The survey response was divided approximately 79% male, and 21% female. 11-2 BOARO MEETING: 226-5122 ALL ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AT CPr)CC At.* ATM W901#119DAY OF EACH Momrw COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD OXFORD, MARYLAND 21654 November 5, 1980 Dear Town Resident: As you may have noticed in the newspaper article recently, the town government has undertaken the task of developing a Harbor Management Plan. This project will offer you,'a resident of this town, a chance to take a more active role in how your town harbor is used. In order for us to accomplish this task and at the same time hear your opinions regarding this important resource, the Harbor Study Com- mittee and myself are asking you to take a few minutes to fill out this questionnaire, This will enable us to develop a Harbor Management Plan that will represent your concerns as a town resident. If you have any questions concerning this project, please call me at 822-2030 between 9:00 and 4:00, @Ionday thru Friday. Thank you foryour time and assistance with this effort. Sincerely, '@im Hutto Project Planner Oxford Harbor Management Plan ATTENTION TO RETURN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE F I PST., FOLD TOP THIRD OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE (A) TOWARD CENTER. SECOND,, FOLD BOTTOM THIRD OF QUESTIONNIAIRE (B) TOW?AYD TOP. USE ORMEE STICKER TO SEAL QUESTIONNAIRE. 11-3 The following questions are about you personally and will help us to know about the concerns of the Town residents regarding their harbor. Do you own a boat? Yes No IF YES ANSWER QUESTION 2. IF NO GO TO QUESTION 9. 2 How many boats do you own? (number) 3 Where is/are your boat(s) kept? Trailerbed 0 Elsewhere Specify An the harbor 4 What type of dockage do you use? � Town slips -.0 Private slip � Public marina Other - Specify 5 What type of-boat do you own.? 0 Sailboat 0 Powerboat What size is your boat? 0 15 feet or less 0 26 feet to 40 feet 0 .16 feet to 25 feet 0 Over 40 feet* 7 On an average, how many times a year do you use your boat? 0 1-6 06-12 0 12-24 0 over 24 8 Using an X, indicate approximate location of your dock site on the map. .9 If you live in Oxford, where in town do you live? Using a circle "0", indicate the approximate location on the map. 10 In your opinion, what is the biggest problem in the townharbor? ....... . .... ... cl: 333 ........ ........... ........ . . ......... ... .. .... T EAST S . ..... SINCLAI STRE7ETJ TRIOA 0 STREET -7- :--::-@- I z RICH ARDSON STREET Q 3: lop-, DNI 10 ST EE 0 0 z Cal Pump Ln STA. 51. 333 AS A N T ul INV ST PIER ST. EKT. M 114 &W AVENL@ llp!VERVjEV,, U 5 DF%%k_l?/FNT OF Fl')H A(ID WiLlAff 'SERVICE 1-1 Which of these best fits the kind of work that the head of the household does? C1 Retired 11 Professional or executive (store-owner, doctor, teaching, etc.) 0 Sales or clerical (salesperson, typist, etc.) 0 Craftsman (carpenter, mechanic, plumber, etc.) 0 Waterman 0 Student, apprentice, trainee 0 Laborer, semiskilled, etc. IF YOU ARE A WATERMAN, PLEASE ANSWER 6FLOW. 11A How much of your personal income comes 12 Are you from commercial fishing? 0 ma 1 e? 0 femal e? 0 0-25% 0 50-7U@ 0 25-50% 0 75-100% 13 What is your age? 11B What type of commercial fishing do 0 under 20 years 0 45-64 years you do? 0 20-30 years 0 65 or over 0 30-44 years 0 Crabbing 0 Finfishing 0 Oystering 0 Charter Fishing 0 Cl ammi ng Other - Specify 14 How many years have you lived in town?, years (numbe-rT- 11C As a waterman how would you rank the harbor as a homeport for your operation? 0 Excellent 0 Poor 0 Good .0 Terrible 15 If you are living outside the town 0 Average of Oxford, please write your name and address in the space below. 11D As a waterman what do you see as the three biggest problems with having your operation based in this harbor?. biggest pro blem 1. Movement in harbor area.. second biggest 2. Inadequate problem parking. 3. Lack of un- third biggest loading pacl problem 4. InsufficientE mooring or sli locations 5. Added cosis volved with harbor use. 6. Other - spec- HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS? 16 How adequate are parking areas, with respect to the docks and mooring spaces? Very Adequate Adequate Inadequate Very Inadequa. 17 How adequate are-mooring and docking facilities? Very Adequate Adequate Inadequate Very Inadequate 18 How adequate are services available to boaters? Very Adequate Adequate Inaaequate Very Inadequate 19 How adequate is boat trash collection and removal? Very Adequate Adequate Inadequate Very Inadequate 20 How adequate is security, for the protection of boats and property? Very Adequate Adequate Inadequate Very Inadequate 21 Is control and regulation of traffic within the harbor a problem? Serious Problem Minor Problem Slight Problem No Problem 22 What are the most important improvements that could"be made in or around the harbor? 23 Any additional comments? SUMMARY OF OXFORD SURVEY* Introduction The information collected in the survey was analyzed and presented in terms of "user groups". These groups are (1) people who own boats, (2) people who don't own boats, (3) people who own sail boats, (4) people who own power boats, (5) people who have private dockage, (6) people who use municipal slips, (7) people who own boats and live in either of five sectors of town, (8) people who don't own boats and live in either of five sectors of town. A Major Problems 1. All groups agreed that the major problem in the town harbor is congestion 2. The second most common answer was pollution. 3. The third most common answer was don't know. B Parking 1. In general, parking is considered to be adequate 4 to 1 overall. However, non-boat owners in sectors 1, 3, and 5 were not as content with the parking facilities around the docks and slips. 2. Docks Docks are considered to be adequate 4 to I overall, with all groups agreeing at least 2 to 1. 3. Services available to boaters Services are considered to be adequate 4 to 1 overall with all agreeing at least 2 to 1. 4. Trash collection Trash collection is considered to be adequate 4 to 1 over all, with all groups agreeing at least 2 to 1. 5. Security Security is considered to be adequate 5 to 1 overall, with non-boat owners in sector 1 the least content, non-boat owners 11-8 in sector 1 were divided between feeling that security was adequate or inadequate. 6. Regulation Control and regulation within the harbor is generally not con- sidered a problem by a narrow majority. However, boat owners in sectors I and 4 feel 3;l that there is definitely not a pro- blem, while non-boaters in sector 2 felt that regulation was a problem. See Appendix one for complete listing of results. 11-9 MARINA SURVEY 1. Name of Company: Address: Street 2. Year of founding 3. How would you characterize the market for your company's services? Predominately local Predominantly Statewide Predominantly regional (Mid-Atlan tic/ East Coast) 4. Has the 'geographical market for your company's major products changes signfficantly during the last ten years? Yes No If "Yes", briefly explain how, 5. During the last 10 years has there been a shift in the clientele served by this operation? Yes No 6. How would you characteri-ze your potential for company expansion on thi's stte now? Landward Over the Water -Substantial Substantial Modest Modest None None 7. Is there anything about your present si-te whi-ch, is a problem to you? Yes No If "Yes", please explain: II-10 8. During the last ten years, Kaye you expanded your operation? Landward Yes No Over the Water Yes No if "Yes", please briefly explain in what ways and when th-i's occurred: 9. Do you feel a need for further expanston i,n the near future? Yes No 10, During the last ten years, have you requi,red dredgtng for your operation? Yes No if "Yes", please explain where and when: 11. Do you feel a need for further dredging on your site in the near future? (in the next 10 years). Yes No 12. How many people are employed by your operation? Permanent Seasonal -Part-time Part-time full-time Full-time 13, How has the labor climate changed in the last ten years? a, Worker turnover; b, Skilled labor availability: Higher now Better nqW About the same About tFie. same Lower now Ti,gKter now 13. How has the labor climate changed in the last ten years? c. Quality of labor Performance Better now About the same Poorer now 14... What effect, if any, have changes in the labor climate had upon your operation? 15. What in your extimation are the most critical manpower/labor needs which the local Government should address? 16, What in your estimation is the best and most viable approach which should be taken by local Government to assist your operation? 17. How many slips do you presently have? 18. What services do you provide? Gas Dock ice Slips Water Electric Pump Out Dry Storage Restaurant Ships Store 11-12 Marina Survey During the spring of 1981 a hand carried "Marina Survey" was taken to the nine marinas in Oxford. Response followed from seven of these and the results presented below are from those seven,plus some information gathered from the Boating Almanac. Marina Survey Results Marketing 1. The characteristic market for the marinas in Oxford is pre- dominately regional (Mid-Atlantic). 2. Of those marina owner/operators who felt that the geographical market area has changed in the last ten years (50%) the con- census was that the capture area has enlarged. 3. Generally the feeling is that the clientele in the area has not changed significantly in the last ten years. Site Conditions 4. Of the seven marinas responding to the survey five felt they had a problem with their present site. These problems were: a. shoaling in the creek around the approach to their harbor b. a need for covered slips c. a need for expansion of facilities over the water 5. Most marina owners felt that their potential for further ex- pansion over the water was modest to none while only one re- sponding marina owner felt that his potential for expansion was substantial. There were similar responses for expansion landward. 6. During the last ten years two of the responding marinas have expanded landward while four marinas have expanded over the water. 7. Four marinas felt the need for further expansion in the near future. 8. During the last ten years, three responding marinas have under- taken dredging, while six marinas felt they would require additional dredging within the next ten years. 11-13 Employment 9. Permanent Employees: 6 part-time, 48 full-time Seasonal Employees : 40 part-time, 106 full-time 46 part-time, 154 full-time Total Employees 200 full or part-time 10. The general feeling regarding the labor climate during the last ten years is that: a. worker turnover is about the same or higher now. b. skilled labor availability is about the same or tighter now. C. A change in the quality of labor performance is undeter- mined. 11-14 I I I I I I CHAPTER III I OBJECT I VES/RECOINMEENDAT I ONS I I I I I I I I I I 'A - iii-i Introduction In September 1980, the Commissioners of Oxford, approved the @stablishment of the Oxford Harbor Study Advisory Committee, to investigate the problems associated with the Harbor areas as well as other waters under their jurisdiction, and make recommendations as to best management approaches. The following pages in Chapter III, Objectives & Recommendations., is a complete listing of the consensus of opinion by this committee. Due to the large number of Harbor related topics to be dis- cussed, the Harbor Management Study Committee began initially or- ganizing and prioritizing issues relating to the harbor. Once iden- tified, the individual issues were then defined in terms of problem, need, objectives, and recommendations. In this way each relevant issue was guaranteed full attention. 111-2 TOPIC: Waterfront and Water Surface Management Goa 1 (@ - Maintain a planned pattern and program of compatible and efficient utilization of the town waters and adjac- end land use. Objective: - Better define existing waterfront management policies in light of revised land/water use goals and objectives. Needs: Clarify the objectives and authority of the Board of Port Wardens. 111-3 TOPIC: Fiscal Management Goal: - Maintain a favorable balance between town revenues and the expenditures required to meet community needs. Objectives; - Provide for sufficient fiscal management of all town owned waterfront facilities and responsibilities. Needs: - Develop Harbor Improvement Fund for required main- tenance of harbor facilities. 111-4 TOPIC: Transportation Goal: Keep the waters of Oxford free of congestion. Pro- vide for the safe and easy access to the shore for water- borne traffic. Objectives: - Provide for boating safety by maintaining freedom from hazard and congestion. Needs: A. Identify appropriate sites for access to town for the visiting boater. B. Identify appropriate sites for open water mooring. C. Identify required dredging projects within the water of Oxford. D. For areas of public access to the waterfront identify sites of insufficient parking. 111-5 TOPIC: Public Service Goal: - Provide a system of community services, facilities and utilities responsive to citizen needs. Objectives: 1. Provide adequate facilities for waterfront community re&eation. 2. Maintain an adequate level of marine fire pro- tection and ambulance service. Needs: A. Identify needed improvements for public waterfront access. B. Identify areas most appropriate for public sanitary facilities in waterfront areas. C. Identify areas of needed trash collection service for public waterfront areas. D. Work closely with the Oxford Fire and Rescue Service to de- velop a "Harbor Fire and Rescue Force". 111-6 TOPIC: Natural Resources Goal: Protect the natural resources in and around Oxford and encourage their proper utilization. Objectives; - Maintain the quality of the water in and around Oxford at a level which is suitable for human contact and shellfish harvesting and production. Needs: A. Identify the number of pump-out facilities needed and strategic sites -for such facilities within Town Creek. B. The channeling, when possible, of stormwater run- off away from Town Creek. C. Diverting, when possible, of agricultural runoff away from Town Creek. 111-7 I I I I I I I I RECUff-MATION's I I I I I I I I I I I 111-8 TOPIC: Harbor Management Consideration's Problem: - Poorly defined role for the Board of Port Wardens. Need: - Clarify the objectives and authority for the Recommendations: Board of Port Wardens. Al A specific policy resolution should be drafted by the Oxford Town Commissioners regarding the overlap of authority and responsibility between the Planning Commission and Board of Port Wardens. This state- ment should attempt to address differences between existing land use strategies and recently developed waterfront policies. A2 Additional management regulations designed to pro- vide for a pleasant and safe waterfront envi,ronment in Oxford-should be drafted, these regulations should address topics such as Safety, Fire, Discharge of trash, Vandalism and etc, A3 A Harborline should be established to limi't channel- ward extension of the shorefront structures fn Town Creek that is respectful of the rights and prfvileges of waterfront landowners, the needs of maritime commerce as well as the physical constraints of Town Creek as a multi-use water body. 111-9 TOPIC: Harbor Improvement Fund Problem: - Insufficient fiscal preplanning for potential costs associated with repair and replacement Needs: of Town owned public waterfront facilittes, - Develop Harbor Improvement Fund for required maintenance of harbor facflities, Recommendations: Bl An amortizing fund established specifically for harbor related improvements should be maintained and operated by the Town for all harbor related revenues and expenses. B2 Existing Town owned bulkhead should be fnspected and an aggressfve maintenance program desfgned that wfll extend the functional ltfe of these structures as much as possiUle, B3 Town owned and leased boat slips should halve a rental fee that reflects the fair market value. B4 Town owned slips and docks should be properly maintained in order to extend thetr useful Iffe as much as possible, B5 A set of Minimum Design Standards should be estab- lished to be used for all municipal waterfront struc- tures in the future. B6 Additional Town owned slips should be provided when the possibility exists. B7 A written formula for allocation of Town owned slips should be established and followed and posted publicly, B8 Additional Town owned waterfront that is presently i'n- accessable to the public should be improved wtth. bulk- head and other needed physical impravements as required to make the property and its waterfront accessable. III-10 TOPIC: Dredging Program Problem: - Insufficient preplanning schedule for required dredging projects and lack of a sufficient dredge spoil disposal site. Needs: - Identify required dredging projects and establish a sufficient spoil disposal site. Recommendations: Cl - In the not too distant future the Army Corps of Engineers will dredge the Corps channel in Town Creek. In order to facilitate this project the town will need to locate a suitable dredge spoil disposal site for this project. C2 - Portions of Town Creek adjacent to Town owned waterfront have become shoal and will require dredging in order to provide for adequate ac- cess. C3 - In order to provide for the required amount of land needed for spoil disposal from dredging pro- jects in the near future the Town Commissioners will find it necessary to begin now to identify the C4 amount of land required and secure it for such use. - As a means of off setting some of the cost of dredg- ing operations in Town Creek, a spoil disposal site should be located within 5,000 feet to allow for hydraulic or suction dredging. TOPIC: Congestion on the Water Problem: - Confusion regarding the appropriate sites around Oxford for access to town and for proper open water mooring areas. Need: - Identify appropriate sites for access to town for the visiting boater and for open water mooring, Recommendations: Dl - Because of a lack of adequate marking for existing Army Corps of Engineers anchorage areas there is confusion by visiting yachts- men regarding proper anchorage areas in Town Creek. The Town Commissioners should apply to the Army Corps of Engineers for such mark- ing, D2 Lack of anchorage marking off of the Strand leaves some boaters to anchor in the river channel, The Town Commissioners should ap- ply to the Waterways Improvement Division of the Tidewater Administration for assistance in designating proper anchorage in this area, D3 A chart of Town Creek could be printed showing the channel, anchorage area, shoals, gas docks, and landing areas as well as points of interest in Town. Local merchants, marina owners and restaurants could be asked to underwrite the cost of printing, Distribution could be car- ried out via the marinas and restaurants. 111-12 TOPIC: Improved Access Problem: - Lack of a central point or points of access to shore for visiting boaters, - Insufficient access to the water for town residents. Need: - Identify needed improvements and develop a schedule for priortizing these improvements, Recommendations: El - Improvement of shoreline access by visiting*boaters can be facilitated by the purchase and placement of two floating dinghy docks. One located at the Tilghman Street Municipal dock and another placed at the Market Street municipal dock. Both docks to be used for temporary mooring of small craft only. E2 Additional municipal slips can be located at the Town owned property across the street from "The Beach" for use by town residents, This type of faci- lity will first require bulkheading of the water- front. E3 The placement of a municipal boat ramp and parking area at the foot of Riverview Avenue for use by boaters in the northern area of town. E4 In order to accomplish these needed impro-vements in an organized and timely fashion a pri-oritizing of these proposed improvements should be established and followed. 111-13 TOPIC: Parking Problem: -Insufficient parking spaces for some areas of pu- blic access to waterfront. Need: -Identify areas of insufficient parking. Recommendations: Fl -The Town of Oxford owns property at the foot of Market Street, the waterfront there is used for a municipal dock; however, there is insuf- ficient parking presently. Consequently the town should attempt to use more fully that parcel of land to establish adequate parking, F2 The town owned property across the street from "The Beach" will in the future require improve- ments in the parking lot located there, 111-14 TOPIC: Harbor Fire and Safety Planning Problem: - Presently there is no group to provide waterborne emergency service in the harbor on a round-the- clock basis, Need: - Work closely with the Oxford Fire and Rescue Ser- vice to develop such a group for harbor emergencies. Recommendatfonq- G1 Establish a Fire and Safety Ordinance for Oxford Waterfront areas using NFPC 303 for guidance and G2 direction. Assist in training and qualifying a volunteer Fire Company. G3 Acquire and equip a boat of appropriate size wfth necessary equfpment (fire extinguishers, 250 gallon/mi-nute waterpump and hoses, towing wires, and ffrst aid equipment), G4 Clearly mark ffre lanes leadfng to all docks patrol same and keep them clear for necessary access by requi,red equi,pment, 111-15 TOPIC: Public Sanitary Facilities Problem: - Insufficient public sanitary facilities for visiting boaters. Need: - Identify areas most appropriate for public sani- tary facilities, Recommendations: Hl - The placement of portable toilets in strategic locations near the harbor will be necessary if use of on-board facilities is to be avoided while visiting yachtsmen are anchored off-shore. H2 - Two portable toilets should be placed at each of these locations: 1. Tilghman St. Town Slips 2. The Beach parking lot, 3. Riverview Boatramp 4. Town Ferry Dock H3 Signs should be placed in other locations di- rectfng visitors to th-ese faci,li'ties as needed. 111-16 TOPIC: Trash Collection Problem: - Insufficient trash collection in certain areas of the waterfront. - Use of trash receptacles around harbor for other than harbor related trash.' Needs: - Identify areas of needed trash collecti@on ser- vice.for public access site at the waterfront. - Consider fencing in trash collection receptacles to minimize use by non-harbor users. Recommendations: Il - Establish a program for improved boater re- lated trash collection and removal. Place receptacles in the following locattons: A. The Beach 55 Gallon Drums B. Tilghman St. Slips Green Box C. Market St, Clock 55 Gallon Drums D. Slips at the Head of Creek 55 Gallon Drums E. Ferry Dock Green Box 12 Program collection of trash as is required to avoid overflowing receptacles, 111-17 L-AI SNOIAGGISNOO i0aOM4 3A!MiSINIWGV A URMO Administrative Considerations Introduction In drafting recommendations for the initiation of a compre- hensive management plan for the waters of Oxford, the Harbor Manage- ment Study Committee listed five primary objectives. These ob- jectives are: 1. Better define existing waterfront management policies in light of revised land/water use goals and objectives. 2. Provide for sufficient fiscal management of all town owned waterfront facilities and responsibilities. 3. Provide for boating safety by maintaining freedom from hazard and congestion. 4. a. Provide adequate facilities for waterfront community recreation. b. Maintain adequate level of marine fire protection and ambulance service. 5. Maintain the quality of the water in and around Oxford at a level which is suitable for human contact and shellfish harvesting and production. Implemetiting such objectives will require certain modifications and additions to the existing town administrative framework. These adjustments were separated into four individual tasks listed below: 1. Establishment of a limit to the channelward extention of docks and piers (Harborline). 2. Modifications to Zoning Ordinances. 3. Establishment of Harbor Management Regulations. 4. Development of Fire and Safety Contingency Plan. IV-2 FIGURE 2 POLICE TOWN ENGINEERING COMMISSIONERS 11 DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENI@ BOARD OF PLANNING APPEALS COMMISSION BOARD OF PORT WARDENS ZONING INSPECTOR IV-3 FIGURE 3 POLICE TOWN ENGINEERING DEPARTt.-IE T COMMISSIONERS DEPARTMENT BOARD OF PLANNING APPEALS COMMISSION BOARD OF PORT WARDENS ZONING INSPECTOR OR ER Nj T I OF @ ZONIN P C N ISE HARB MAIT IV-4 FIGURE 4 ORDINANCE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF BOARD OF PORT WARDENS COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD ORDINANCE NUMBER 175 INTRODUCED BY: EMORY L. BALDERSON DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 10/10/79 A BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE THE BOARD OF PORT WARDENS OF THE TOWN OF OXFORD, AND TO ESTABLISH THE RESPON- SIBILITIES, DUTIES I AND POWERS OF THE BOARD AND PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT THEREOF ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BE IT ENACTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD, pur- suant to Section 10 of the Charter of the Town of Oxford, and pur- suant to Article 23A, � (23A), of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as follows: SECTION 1: There is hereby created the Board of Port Wardens for the Town of Oxford, which Board shall consist of three (3) mem- bers appointed by the Commissioners of Oxford, for terms of three (3) years each, provided, however, that the initial terms of each member shall be one (1) year, two (2) years, and three (3) years, respectively, as designated by the Commission. SECTION 2: The Board of Port Wardens shall hold public meetings at least once every month. SECTION 3: The Board of Port Wardens shall have the follow- ing powers, duties, and responsibilities: 1. To regulate the placement, erection, or construction of structures or other barriers within or on the waters of the munici- pality, including but not limited to the issuing of licenses to create or build wharves or piers and the issuing of permits for mooring piles, floating wharves, buoys, or anchors, taking into account the present and proposed uses, and the effect of present and proposed uses on marine life, wildlife, conservation, water pollution, erosion, naviga- IV-5 tional hazards, the effect of the proposed use on congestion within the waters, the effect on other riparian property owners, and the present and projected needs for any proposed commercial or industrial use. 2. The port wardens shall have the power to regulate the materials and constructions for the aforesaid improvements and to make certain that any improvements in the waters within the munici- pality do not render the navigation too close and confined. This provision in no way intends to affect or conflict with any zoning power otherwise provided for. SECTION 4: No person may build any wharf or pier, or carry out any earth or other material for the purpose of building a wharf or pier, nor shall any persons place or erect mooring piles, floating wharves, buoys, or anchors without a license or permit from the port wardens. If any person violates the provisions of this section, or if any person builds any wharf or pier a greater distance into the waters of the port, or in a different form, or of different materials than determined and allowed by the wardens, he is subject to a fine as hereinafter imposed. SECTION 5: The Board of Port Wardens may adopt such reasonable rules and regulations, including permit or license fees, as it deems necessary for the conduct of its business; provided, however, that all such rules, regulations, and fees shall be approved by the Commissioners of Oxford. SECTION 6: Violation of any provision of this Ordinance shall be a municipal infraction as described in Article 23A, �3, Annotated Code of Maryland, and a fine of $100.00 shall be imposed for each conviction hereunder. Each day in violation shall be considered a separate offense and subject to separate citations. A fine of $200.00 shall be imposed for each repeat offense. SECTION 7: In all differences that arise between any ag- grieved party and the port wardens concerning the discharge of the duties of the port wardens, an appeal may be taken to the Commis- sioners of Oxford. SECTION 8: AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That if any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or any other application of this Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application, and to this end, all the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. IV-6 I I I SECTION 9: This Ordinance shall be effective upon its adop- tion by the Commissioners of Oxford. - I READ AND PASSED THIS 24th day of October, 1969. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 IV-7 In order to properly maintain an active management program for the harbor area, the Town Commissioners have established a Board of Port Wardens. The members of the Board are appointed by the Town Commissioners for three year terms and have powers as out- lined in Figure No. 4. An important consideration for such an addition to the town government is interaction and overlap between proposed additions and existing commissions. Figure No. 2 graphically shows rela- tionships between the other growth management commission (Planning Commission). The Board of Port Wardens is basically on equal standing with, and independent of, the Planning Commission, how- ever, it is important to maintain a link with the Planning Com- mission. This can be accomplished by incorporating the Zoning Inspector in the permitting and regulatory actions taken by the Board of Port Wardens. Additionally further adjustments will need to be made to properly interface these two commissions. Eventually, the Board of Port Wardens may require more active involvement in the day to day working of harbor manage- ment at which time the Town Commissioners may appoint a Har- bormaster. Figure No. 3 shows the relationship between such a harbormaster, the Board of Port Wardens, and the Zoning Inspec- tor. Other arrangements and/or linkages could be possible de- pending on the degree of need. IV-8 ESTABLISHMENT OF A HARBOR LINE INTRODUCTION As a result of increasing pressures for growth and expansion channelward, Oxford is being forced to better define and secure those portions, of its waterway that must be held as free and open for all to use. A consideration in the establishment of a limit to channel- ward extension in Town Creek is the fact that Oxford is and has been, traditionally a sailing harbor. Because of this heritage, the north- ern orientation of the mouth of Town Creek, and the northerly and southerly prevailing winds, sailing in and out of Town Creek often requires "tacking" back and forth between both shores. However, efforts aimed at maintaining the necessary open water surface must. be cognizant of the fact that all riparian landowners have a basic right of access to the adjacent waterway. With this in mind a pro- cedure for demarcating a line to be used as the limit of maximum channelward extension was developed. It should be noted that es- tablishment of such a lineis not intended to deny any riparian land- owner rights or privileges that are normally associated with riparian ownership'' Additionally the establishment of such a boundary is not designed todeprive use or ownership of any fixed waterfront struc- ture which was lawfully installed and in use before the establish- ment of the harborline. However, the creation of such a line is in- tended to regulate all construction of commercial, community, @Uublic and private piers, mooring piles and moorings within the waterways under the jurisdiction of the Town of Oxford, for the purpose of assuring Town Creek's viability in serving the entire Oxford com- munity. Both now and in the future. In order to establish and describe a harbor line for use with the Zoning Ordinance it will be necessary to have the harbor line described through an engineering survey. This process will establish the exact location of the line for reference in determining the ap- propriateness of waterfront structure proposals. IV-9 HARBOR LINE DESIGNATION In establishing limits for channelward extension, compromise must be made between boat traffic and open water mooring requirements and landward access rights and privileges. These compromises were made and a method for designating a harbor line was developed under the approval of the Harbor Study Committee. The designation of the harbor line according to the formula mentioned below is the result of a careful analysis of the physical constraints of the waterbody. Because the water surface in Town Creek has a diverse mix of both uses and physical constraints, separate portions of the creek were given different harbor line designation criteria. The waters of Town Creek were separated into four primary areas. These areas are: A. Southern arm of Town Creek B. Confluence of the eastern portions of Town Creek and the southern arm of Town Creek. C. Entrance of Town Creek. D. Crocketts' Cove Additionally these four areas were separated into two categories, those with shoreline near the Army Corps of Engineers channel and those with shoreline far from the Corps Channel. The maximum length of channelward extension as designated in the harbor line criteria is the 6 foot contour used in "Area V which can be, at times, as much as 250 feet from shore. The most constraining limit for channelward extension using the harbor line siting criteria is in "Area A" which can be as little as 50 feet from shore. The four general areas listed above are described more fully below: Area A - Southern Arm of Town Creek This portion of Town Creek is characterized by limited water surface (greater than 40% of shoreline within 150 feet of the Army Corps of Engineers Channel), relatively shallow water (less than 5 feet of water), and limited boating traffic. IV-10 Area B - Confluence of the eastern and southern portions of Town Creek. This area of Town Creek has moderate depths, a shoreline more distant from the Army Corps of Engineer's channel, and moderate boating traffic. Area C - Entrance into Town Creek The entrance into Town Creek is characterized by water of consid- erable depth, a shoreline that lies away from the Army Corps of Engineer's channel, and heavy boating traffic. Area D - Crocketts' Cove This small cove within Town Creek- has shallow depths, no des- ignated channel and heavy boating traffic. Tred AREA C AREA AREA D B AREA A IV-1 1 The method for actually designating these four general areas is shown in the drawing To establish the line that will separate Areas A, B and D, from each other draw a line that bisects the angle formed by line segments "CA" and "AB" and do the same with line segments "B" and "BA". Ex- tend the line segments "AP" and VB" to the shore nearest points "A" and "B". Continuethese lines until they meet. This will be at point "P". Extend a line from point "P" so that it bisects the angle formed by line segments "AP" and "PB" and continue this line to the opposite shore. In order to form the division between areas B and C, extend a line from Point I (point on land) through Point 2 (point where Army Corps of Engineers channel changes direction) across to opposite shore. Q, Co W CU QQ 2 D A A P C nVA _1 A\ A:141 IV-12 For the establishment of the harbor line,individual criteria for each of the four areas are presented. Area "A" If the channel is within 150 feet of the shore then measure: - Out to channel or - Out 50 feet Whicheveris less. If the channel is not within 150 feet of the shore then measure: - Out 1/2 of the distance to the center of the channel or - Out 125 feet. Whichever is less. Area "B" If the channel is within 150 feet of the shore then measure: - Out to the channel or - Out 75 feet. Whichever is less. If the channel is not within 150 feet of the shore then measure: - out to the channel or - Out 125 feet Whichever is less. IV-13 Area "C" If the channel is within 150 feet of the shore then measure: - Out to the channel or - Out to 75 feet Whicheveris less. If the channel is not within 150 feet of the shore then measure: - Out to the channel or 1 - Out to the 6 foot contour. 1. As established on 1980 Corps of Engineers survey done by Lyons Assoc. Area "Y If adjacent to town designated channel then measure: - Out to cove channel or - Out 125 feet.2 Whichever is less. 2. Measure this distance perpendicular to nearest side of cove channel. In order to apply the criteria as presented above, it will be necessary to stipulate certain procedures for use in establishing these lines. All measurements within Town Creek are to be made perpendicular to the closest side of the Army Corps of Engineers channel or anchor- age areas. For establishing distances from the shore to the Corps of Engineer's channel, begin at the southern end of the Army Corps of Engineers channel, and with one hundred foot intervals along the boundary of channel and anchorage areas, establish perpendicular transect lines from shore to shore. IV-14 As the harborline criteria are.applied and the line sections are drawn, there will be a series of line segments. These segments are to be connected by measuring back 50 feet from each of the free ends of adjacent line segments and connecting these two points with a straight line. Within Crocketts' Cove, Area D, a channel is proposed. This channel has the configuration and dimension as shown in the sketch below. 65* is 206 75' IS 715' /Army Corps !A nchora ge Adea IV-15 CD 0 > < LEGEND Approximate Location of Harbor Line IV-16 In addition to the harbor line designation within Town Creek, there was consideration given to other town owned waterfrontadjacent to the Tred Avon River. The Town's boundary presently terminates at ,the waters edge, however, the authority to establish a harbor line in the river is still an unsettled issue. In the near future the town will need to determine the appropriateness of using a harbor line in this area. If there are serious problems with that strategy then the necessary controls can be established through the Oxford zoning ordinance by limitingthe length of the waterfront structures,instead of trying to limit the area of the water body to be used. IV-17 MODIFICATION OF THE OXFORD ZONING ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION During the last two decades Oxford has undergone increasing changes in its economic base and town population. The growth of tour- ism and the influx of retired and semi-retired individuals has brought a changing awareness for its waterfront. The waterfront is no longer seen as a parking area for workboats or the boatbuilders backyard, but it has become instead, a resort area for the yachtsmen and an exten- sion of the waterfront land owners frontyard. Consequently these changes have brought about a situation that requires the redefining of previously accepted standards for growth and development over the water. Because the primary means of regulating such growth is the Oxford Zoning Ordinance, many of the required changes must be made through that ordinance. PRIVATELY OWNED WATERFRONT Because of the continual pressure for construction of water- front structures and the limited size of the harbor it may be nec- essary to restrict the number of waterfront structures to one per land parcel. The length of the structure should be limited by the harbor line as designated by the Town of Oxford. This would allow landowners in uncongested areas to "wharf out" sufficiently and will also maintain areas beyond the harborline free from obstruction. MARITIME COMMERCIAL WATERFRONT No major changes to this zone classification are indicated at this time. However, there is a need to establish a minimum waterfront length for parcels to be used for any future marina development. By establishing a minimum length of 150 feet of waterfront for commercial use, inappropriate waterfront commercial development can be avoided. REQUIRED CHANGES IN ZONING ORDINANCE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A HARBOR LINE Following the establishment of a harbor line, certain changes and additions to the zoning ordinance must follow in order to make full use of such a land/water use tool. Within the State of Mary- land, several jurisdictions have established harbor lines and made necessary changes in their zoning to implement item. Some of these are Anne Arundel County, City of Annapolis, and Calvert County. IV-18 Article 15 of the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance is a good indication of the zoning changes required to incorporate such a management tool and serves as a model for the zoning changes that follow. In order to establish such a harbor line, the Commissioners of Oxford will be required to have an Official Survey of the exact harbor line location. This will be an expensive procedure, but will enable the harbor of Oxford to be maintained free of overdevelopment both now and in the future. IV-19 RECOMMENDED ZONING CHANGES FOR MANAGEMENT OF WATERFRONT STRUCTURES 1. Purpose: To provide regulations for the orderly development of the waterfront areas within the waters of the municipality. Except as specifically provided in this section, a riparian owner may not be deprived of any right, privilege, or enjoyment of riparian ownership (as access to or use of a waterway) legally exercised prior to adoption of Oxford Harbor Line. The provi- sions of this section do not transfer the title or ownership of any waterway or interest in a waterway. 2. Applicability: The provisions of this section and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto shall be applicable to, and shall govern, and construction of all waterfront structures within or on the waters of the municipality. The location of harborline and shoreline established heretofore are as shown on the Map entitled "Oxford Harbor Lines". Said Map and all notations, dimensions, references and other data shown thereon, as well as properly attested amendments to the aforesaid, are a part of the Oxford Zoning Ordinance. This section shall be in addition to existing Federal and State regulations governing the same matters and is not intended to preempt other valid laws. The more restrictive regulation shall take precedence. 3. Definitions: Recommended additions to Zoning Ordinance defini- tions. Anchoring: To secure a watercraft to the bottom of water by dropping an anchor or anchors or with a buoy or other ground tackle. Berth: A place where a watercraft may be secured to a fixed or floating structure and left unattended. Berthing area: The water area in which boats are berthed. Bulkhead: A structure or partition to retain or prevent sliding of the land into the water. A secondary purpose is to protect the upland from wave action. Developable waterfront land: Any waterfront property from which access to a waterway area can be achieved. IV-20 Finger pier: A small pier structure attached (usually perpen- dicular) to the headwald of a multislip pier; usually provided to facilitate access to the berted watercraft. Harbor line: The line defining the maximum channelward limits of marine construction, defined by and encompassing that con- struction lawfully installed in a given developable waterway area and identified by solid unbroken lineation on the harbor line maps. Harbor line map: A map of the Town of Oxford, graphically showing shorelines of the waterways of the Town, channel markers and harbor lines. Harbormaster: The officer of the city who executes the regula- tions respecting the use of the harbor and the waterways. Lateral lines: Lines extending from the shoreline to the harbor line separating adjacent developable waterway areas. Marina: Any arrangement of piers, slips, mooring piles, wharves, and/or buoys emplaced in the water and on abutting land and which is intended to be used for the berthing, storing, mooring, securing, servicing, repairing, selling or trading, and/or renting of watercraft and is not a private or community pier and mooring. Mooring: (a) A place where watercraft are secured other than a pier. (b) The equipment used to secure a watercraft. (c) The process of securing a watercraft other than by an- choring. Mooring buoy: An appliance used to secure to the bottom by anchors and provided with attachments to which a watercraft may be secured by use of its anchor chain or mooring lines. Municipal infraction: A municipal infraction is any violation of a town ordinance which violation has been specifically declared to be a municipal infraction. Piers and moorings, community: Any type of structure, fixed or floating, and extending from community, condominium-owned, or IV-21 leased property, generally referred to as a pier, dock or wharf, including pilings, buoys, and other such facilities, and used for the berthing of watercraft registered to residents of the com- munity within which the property is located or to residents or co-owners of the condominium-owned property from which the facility extends. A community pier may also be used only for the temporary berthing of watercraft owned by and registered to visitors or residents of the community or condominium, but only during such a visit. Piers and moorings, private: Any type of structure, fixed or floating, generally referred to as a pier, dock or wharf, in- cluding pilings, buoys, and other such facilities, used primarily for the berthing of watercraft owned by and registered to the owner and/or tenant of the property from which the facility extends. Riprap: A layer, facing, or protective mound of stones ran- domly placed to prevent erosion, scour or sloughing of a structure or embankment. Shoreline: The mean high water line or the waterward line of an existing bulkhead, riprap or gabion as shown on the harbor line maps. Slip: Any arrangement of a pier and/or one or more mooring piles and/or buoys designed and intended to be used for the wet storage of a single watercraft. Useable waterway area: The waterway area lying between the shoreline, the harborline line and the lateral lines of waterfront property. Watercraft: Any boat or vessel used for either pleasure or commercial purposes in any waterway. Waterfront Structures: Any number of structures employed to facilitate access to waterfront, including, but not limited to bulkheads, wharfs, piers, floating docks, or mooring piles. Waters of the municipality: Means all waters owned, managed, or controlled by the Board of Port Wardens or under the juris- diction of the Commissioners of Oxford in which the tide ebbs and flows, whether or not the ordinary or mean high tide line of the Chesapeake Bay has been fixed by ordinance, statute, court action otherwise and whether or not the lands lying under said tidal water are privately or publicly owned. IV-22 Waterway: Any water area providing access from one place to another, primarily a water area providing a regular route for water traffic. Recommended changes to Part Two: Section 20.03 Item 1f. Replace: "Pier slips for the wet storage of boats for use by the property owner only, subject to provision of 29.15 (Supplementary Regulations)." With: "One pier or other structure for the wet storage of boats for use by the property owner only, subject to provi- sions of 29.15 (Supplementary Regulations)." Section 21.03.0 Item 6. Replace: "Pier slips and other structures for the wet storage of boats. With: "One pier or other structure for the wet storage of boats for use by the property owner only." Section 21.03.0 Item 6. Replace: "Pier slips for the wet storage of boats, subject to provisions of Section 29.15; davits permissible." With: "One pier or other structure for the wet storage of boats, subject to provisions of Section 29.15, davits permis- sible. " Recommended changes to Part Two Section 25.05. Area, Width, and Yard Requirements Replace: Lot area - 15,000 sq. ft. With: Lot area - 43,500 sq. ft. (1 acre) Recommended additions to Part Two Section 25.05. Area, Width, and Yard Requirments. Add: Minimum waterfront length of 150 feet. L L IV-23 Recommended additions to Section 29 - 00, subsection 16: Supplemental District Regulations, Waterfront Development Requirements. 1. Determination of Usable Waterway Areas: The usable water- way area is the area enclosed by the harbor line, shoreline and lateral lines. A. Harbor and Shorelines: The harbor line and shoreline are the lines labeled as such on the applicable Map for Harbor Lines. B. Lateral Lines: The lateral lines are imaginary lines separating adjacent usable waterway areas, and are de- termined graphically as follows: 1.) Prepare a scale drawing showing the applicant's property and all adjacent waterfront properties within a 2001 radius of the shoreline owned by the applicant. (See Figure 5A) 2.) On the scale drawing, add the shorelines and harbor lines as shown on the appropriate Map for Harbor lines. 3.) Intersect all property lines with the shoreline (Points A, B, C, D, E, and F on Figure 5A) 4.) From the applicant's property line-shoreline inter- sections (Point D, E, On Figure 5A) intersect a 2001 radius with the shoreline (Point 1, 2 on Figure 5A) 5.) From the applicant's property, connect all property line shoreline points, ending at points 1 and 2 with straight lines (D to C, C to B, B to 1, E to 2 on Figure 5A) 6.) Bisect the angle formed by these straight lines and extend the lines bisecting the angle from the shore- line to the harbor line. These are the lateral lines (B-G, C-H, D-I, E-J on Figure 5A) C. Determination of Usable Waterway Area: The usable waterway must be determined for all properties having a pair of lateral lines as shown on the applicant's drawing. For an acceptable usable waterway area, the following conditions (See Figure A) must be met: IV-24 2e LATERAL LINE too, OAVAS MORE fmaoft LINE t-WE 5A s es-11 LAMAL LINE AMENDED ATCRAL- LINE 20W FIGURE 5B If a pair of lateral lines extended to the harbor line result in a distance of 251 or more on the harbor line (lines G-H, H-I, I-J), the lateral lines (D-I, E-J) are satisfactory and these lines and the harbor and shorelines define the usable waterway area for the applicant. 2.) If any pair of lateral lines extended to the harbor line results in a harbor line segment (G-H, H-1, I-J, Figure 5A) of less than 251, the lateral lines are unacceptable and shall be modified in accordance with paragraph 20, of this section. 3.) If any pair of lateral lines extended intersect before reaching the harbor line, the lateral lines are unac- ceptable and shall be modified in accordance with paragraph two of this section. 2. Amendments to Lateral Line: Where a conflict occurs as outlined in Paragraph 7 of this section, the lateral lines will be modified as shown on Figure B. An imaginary line shall be moved toward the shoreline and parallel to line D-E. (Figure B) until a twenty-five foot (25') clearance is obtained (line N-), Figure 5B). Two additional lateral lines N-P and O-Q will be drawn perpendicular to line N-) from points N and 0 to the harbor line. The lines D-N-P, E-O-Q are the new lateral lines for the applicant's parcel and the adjoining properties. For all amended lateral lines construction will be limited to the area enclosed by the shoreline, the lateral lines (D-N, O-E) and the imaginary clearance line N-0 (Sketch 5B). This procedure will insure adequate clearance for adjacent piers. These new lateral lines, the harbor lines and the shoreline define the usable waterway area for the applicant. 3. Setbacks A. Harbor Line Setbacks. Any Piers, 'IT" heads, 11L11 heads, mooring piles, moorings and/or anchorages must be set back from the harbor line an appropriate distance to assure that no moored vessel or permanent or tempor- ary obstruction extends beyond the harbor line. A IV-26 B . Adjacent Property Owners Agreement. The Lateral line setback may be reduced if a letter of no objection is obtained from the adjacent property owner and a rendered covenant to the property filed with the Commissions of Oxford. The mutual use of piers and/or mooring piles by adjacent property owners is encouraged and recommended whenever possible. C. Fuel Dock Setback. A 50 foot setback from harbor line is required for all docks having fuel facilities. 4. Pre-existing Uses: Any marine facilities lawfully existing at the time of the adoption of this Regulation may continue to be used though such marine facility or use does not confirm to use or dimensional regulations as herein defined. Any alteration of an existing non-conforming marine facility or use is subject to the provisions of this section. 5. Construction Details A. All waterfront structures for use in the commercial and residential zones shall have plans and details of proposed construction prepared by a licensed engineer for munici- pal review and approval. B. Piers: Piers shall be limited to seven feet of width with all "T" or I'Llf head sections not to exceed one third of total length of structure. C. Bulkheading may not be constructed in the waterway beyond the shoreline except as approved by the Board of Port Wardens for the purposes of straightening minor shoreline irregularities or efficient bulkhead construction. 6. Fire and Safety A. Fire Protection - All marine facilities shall conform to the requirements of NFPA-303 Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards of the Maryland Fire Prevention Code. Fire protection devices shall have the approval of the Fire Marshall having jurisdiction. B. Unsafe Conditions - No obstruction, floating or sunken, may remain in the usable waterway area such as to present a hazard to any vessel or person. IV-27 7. Municipal Permits A. Board of Port Wardens Permit: See ordinance establishing Board of Port Wardens. 8. Other Permits and Approvals A. State and Federal permits and approvals applicable to construction, modifications, enlargement, reconstruction, repair, etc. of marine facilities shall be obtained and submitted to the Board of Port Wardens prior to starting any construction under a permit granted by the Port Wardens. IV-28 Proposed Harbor Management Regulations Introduction In a step toward implementing the objectives of the Harbor Management Study Committee, a proposed Harbor Management Ordinance was drafted. The outline and organization for the ordinance follows closely the Model Ordinance for Small Craft Harbors from SMALL CRAFT HARBORS: DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION, BY JAMES W. DUNHAM AND ARNOLD A FINN: SPECIAL REPORT NO. 2, U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. IV-29 PROPOSED HARBOR MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 1. Short Title: This ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the "Harbor Management Ordinance." Sec. 2. Applicability: The provisions of this Ordinance and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto shall be applicable, and shall govern, the harbor(s) and all other maritime facilities under the jurisdiction of Commissioners of Oxford. This Ordinance shall be subordinate to existing Federal and State regulations governing the same matters and is not intended to preempt other valid laws. Sec. 3. Invalidity of Provisions: If any provisions of this Ordinance are held invalid or inoperative, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect as though such invalid or inoperative provisions had not been made. Sec. 4. Authority: Whenever, by the provisions of this Ordinance a power is granted to the Board of Port Wardens or a duty is imposed upon the . the power may be exercised or duty per- formed by a deputy of the Board of Port Wardens or by a person authorized pursuant to law, unless it is expressly otherwise provided. Sec. 5. Facilities, Control of Use: The Board of Port Wardens is vested with authority over and control of all floats, wharves, docks, and other facilities owned, leased, controlled, constructed or main- tained by the Commissioners of Oxford, or constructed or maintained by a lessee of The waters of the Municipality for the purpose of causing to be corrected any condition. Sec. 6. Rules, Regulations and Orders: The Board of Port Wardens shall have the power and duty to enforce the laws, ordinances, traffic and safety regulations covering usage in The waters of the Municipality under their jurisdiction. ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS Access Service Route or Fire Lane: Shall mean any access roads and/or easements designated or identified by the Board of Port Wardens for use by authorized emergency or utility vehicles. IV-30 Anchoring: To secure a watercraft to the bottom of water by dropping an anchor or anchors or with a buoy or other ground tackle. Auxiliary: Shall mean any vessel having both sails and either an inboard or outboard motor and which may be propelled by its sails or by its motor, or both. Basin: Shall mean a naturally or artificially enclosed or nearly enclosed body of water where small craft may lie. Beach: Shall mean a public or private beach are bordering the water of the municipal harbor. Bulkhead: A structure or partition to retain or prevent sliding of the land into the water A secondary purpose is to protect the upland from wave action. Carrying Passengers for Hire: Shall mean the carriage of a person by vessel for valuable consideration, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent or any other person interested in the vessel. Commercial Vessel: Shall mean any vessel used or engaged for any type of commercial venture, including but not limited to the display of advertising or the carrying of cargo and/or passengers for hire. Distress: Shall mean a state of disability or a present or ob- viously imminent danger which if unduly prolonged could endanger life or property. Emergency: Shall mean a state of imminent or proximate danger to life or property in which time is of the essence. Entrance Channel: Shall mean all that portion of Oxford Harbor designated as such by the Board of Port Wardens. Facilities: Shall mean any and all facilities of a harbor or maritime facility either publicly or privatly owned that are intended primarily to be used by or for the service of small craft (including ramps, hoists, parking areas, leased water areas, concessions and service facilities) located on land or in the water of the Town of Oxford under jurisdiction of the Commissioners of Oxford. Fairway: Shall mean the parts of a waterway kept open and unobstructed for navigation. IV-31 Fire Department: Shall mean the Oxford Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. Float: Shall mean any floating structure normally used as a point of transfer for passengers and goods and/or for mooring pur- poses. Harbor Line: The line defining the maximum channelward limits of marine construction, defeined by and encompassing that construc- tion lawfully installed in a given developable waterway area and identified by solid unbroken lineation on the harbor line maps. Harbormaster: The officer of the city who executes the regula- tions respecting the use of the harbor and the waterways. Moor: Shall mean to secure a vessel other than by anchoring. Mooring: Shall mean (1) a place where buoyant vessels are secured other than a pier; (2) the equipment used to secure a vessel; and (3) the process of securing a vessel other than by an- choring. Mooring Buoy: Shall mean an appliance used to secure to the bottom by anchors and provided with attachments to which a vessel may be secured by use of its anchor chair of mooring lines. Public Area: Shall mean all areas of any harbor except those areas under specific lease to private persons of firms or owned privately. Slip: Shall mean berthing space for a single vessel alongside a pier, finger float, or walkway. Shore: Shall mean that part of the land in immediate contact with a body of water, including the area between high and low water lines. Shall and May: "Shall: is mandatory "may" is permissive. State: Shall mean the State of Maryland. Stray Vessel: Shall mean (1) an abandoned vessel; (2) a vessel the owner of which is unknown; or (3) a vessel underway without a competent person in command Underway: Shall mean to condition of a vessel no an anchor; without moorings; and not made fast to the shore nor aground. IV-32 Useable waterway area: The waterway area lying between the shoreline, the harbor line and the lateral lines of waterfront pro- perty. Waterway: Shall mean any water area providing access from one place to another, principally a water area providing a regular route for water traffic. Waters of a Harbor or the Waters of the Municipality: Means all waters owned, managed, or controlled by the Board of Port Wardens or under the jurisdiction of the Commissioners of Oxford in which the tide ebbs and flows, whether or not the ordinary or mean high tide line of the Chesapeake Bay has been fixed by ordinance, statute, court action or otherwise and whether or not the lands lying under said tidal water are privately or pulicly owned. ARTICLE III GENERAL BOATING AND TRAFFIC CONTROL REGULATIONS Sec. 7. Traffic Control Authority: The Board of Port Wardens shall have authority to control water-borne traffic in any portion of the waters of The Municipality under their jurisdiction by use of author- ized State regulatory markers, signal, orders or directions any time preceding, during and after any race, regatta, parade or other special event held in any portion of the waters of The municipality or any time when the Board of Port Wardens deems it necessary in the interest of safety of persons and vessels or other property, and it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully fail or refuse to comply with any authorized State regulatory marker utilized by Board of Port Wardens, or with any signal, orders or directions of the Board of Port Wardens. Sec. 8. Basic Speed Law: The operation of any vessel within the waters of the municipality in excess of posted speed limits or, in the absence of such limits, in a manner to create a wash which endangers persons or property, shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance; provided that special written permission may be granted to conduct and engage in water sports and regattas in specific designated areas. ARTICLE IV GENERAL REGULATIONS Sec. 9. Liability: IV-33 (a) Boat Owner: Any person using the facilities within the limits of The waters of the Municipality shall assume all risk of damage or loss to his property and he agrees that the Commissioners of Oxford assume no risk on account of fire, theft, Act of God, or damages of any kind to vessels within the waters of the Municipality. (b) Marina Owner and/or Operator: It shall be the responsi- bility of the owner, licensee, lessee, or operator of any marina, anchorage, repair yard, or other marine facility, located within any harbor, waterway or other maritime facility, to maintain the physical improvements under his jurisdiction in a safe, clean, and visually attractive condition at all times, to provide adequate security and fire prevention measures and appropriate fire fighting equipment as may be directed by Board of Port Wardens, and to rent or lease available accommodations on a firstcome first-served basis without regard to color, race or creed upon payment of established fees. Failure to initiate within 30 days of receipt of written notice from Board of Port Wardens to correct unsafe or otherwise unsatisfactory conditions and to pursue same to completion to the satisfaction of Board of Port Wardens shall be a violation of this section. Sec. 10. Permits, Suspensions or Revocations: All permits granted under the authority of this Ordinance shall be valid only for such period as may be determined by Board of Port Wardens and permits of unqualified duration of validity shall not be granted. A violation of the provisions of this ordinance or of any other applicable Ordinance by any permitee shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of such permit or permits. Sec. 11. Damage to Harbor or Other Property: It shall be unlawful to willfully or carelessly destroy, damage, disturb, deface or inter- fere with any public property in the Harbor area. Sec. 12. Tampering with or Boarding Vessels without Permission: it shall be a violation of this Ordinance for any person willfully to board, break in, enter, damage, move or tamper with any vessel or part thereof, located within the harbor unless authorized by the rightful owner of such vessel. Violation of this provision shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by the penalties hereinabove provided for violations of this Ordinance and to additional penalties not to exceed . Any person violating this provision shall, in addition, be responsible to the rightful owner of any such vessel for any damages caused by such violation and to the reasonable cost of any attorneys fees, necessarily incurred as a result thereof. IV-34 Sec. 13. Obstruction of Facilities: It Shall be a violation of this Ordinance for any person willfully to prevent any other person from the use and enjoyment of the harbor facilities. Sec. 14. Signs, Erection and Maintenance: The Board of Port Wardens may place and maintain, or cause to be placed and main- tained, either on land or water, such signs, notices, signals buoys or control devices as they deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this Ordinance, or to secure public safety and the orderly and effi- cient use of The waters of the Municipality. Sec. 15. Swimming, Hazzard to Navigation: Swimming and Water skiing prohibited. Sec. 16. Structures, Construction of: Within or on the waters of the municipality no person may place, erect or construct any bulk- head, wharf, or pier, or carry out any earth or other material for the purpose of building a wharf or pier, nor shall any person place or erect mooring piles, floating wharves, buoys, anchors or other obstructions or carry out any dredging, or alter the natural shoreline, without a valid permit issued by the Port of Wardens. The placement, erection, or construction of structures or other barriers within or on the waters of the municipality without a permit from the Port Wardens, or the building of any wharf or pier a greater distance into the waters of the municipality, or in a different form, or of different materials than determined and allowed by the Port Wardens is a municipal infraction as described in Article 23A 3 Annotated Code of Maryland. A fine of $100.00 shall be imposed for each conviction hereunder. Each day in violation shall be considered a separate offense and subject to separate offense and subject to separate cita- tions. A fine of $200.00 shall be imposed for each repeat offense. Sec. 17. Dredging Operations: Within the Municipal Harbor, no person may carry out any dredging without a valid permit issued by the Board of Port Wardens. The removal of dredge material without a permit from the Board of Port Wardens, or removal in a different way than determined and allowed by the Port Wardens is a municipal infraction as described in Article 23A 3 Annotated Code of Maryland. A fine of $100.00 shall be imposed for each conviction hereunder. Each day in violation shall be considered a separate offense and subject to separate citations. A fine of $200. 00 shall be imposed for each repeat offense. IV-35 ARTICLE V REGULATIONS CONCERNING ANCHORING, MOORING AND SECURITY OF VESSELS Sec. 18. Placement of Private Moorings: It shall be a violation of this Ordinance to place any mooring in the harbor without a permit from the Board of Port Wardens. Sec. 19. Obstructing Channels: It shall be a violation of this Or- dinance knowlingly or willfully to obstruct the free use of any channel or waterway within the harbor. Sec. 20. Abandoned Vessels: When, in the opinion of the Board of Port Wardens, a vessel has been abandoned in the harbor, he may take custody and control of such vessel and remove it, store it or otherwise dispose of it, all at the expense and sole risk of the vessel owner. Reasonable notice of such disposal shall be publicly given. Sec. 21. Secure Berthing and Anchoring of Vessels: The owner of any vessel moored or anchored within the municipal harbor shall be responsible for causing such vessel to be tied and secured or an- chored with proper care and equipment and in such manner as may be required to prevent breakaway and resulting damage, and shall there-after provide for periodic inspection by owner of vessel for, maintenance, replacement and adjustment of anchor, mooring or tie lines at reasonable intervals. Sec. 22. Unseaworthy Vessel Prohibited in Harbor: Exception: A person shall not moor or permit to be moored in any harbor a vessel of any kind whatsoever which is unseaworthy or in a badly deterior- ated condition or which is likely to sink or to damage docks, wharves, floats or other vessels or which may become a menace to navigation, except in cases of emergency. Sec. 23. Correcting an Unsafe Berthing: If any vessel shall be found in the judgment of Board of Port Wardens to be anchored or moored within The waters of the Municipality in an unsafe or dan- gerous manner, or in such a way as to create a hazard to other vessels or to persons or property, The Board of Port Wardens shall order and direct necessary measures to eliminate such unsafe or dangerous condition. Primary responsibility for compliance with such orders and directions shall rest with the owner of the improperly anchored or moored vessel or his authorized agent; in the absence of such owner or agent, said responsibility shall rest with the author- ized operator of the facility at which the vessel is anchored or moored. In an emergency situation and in the absence of any such IV-36 responsible person The Board of Port Wardens shall forthwith Board such vessel and cause the improper situation to be corrected, and the owner of the vessel shall be liable for any costs incurred by The Commissioners of Oxford in effecting such correction. Sec. 24. Removal and Custody of Illigally Berthed or Abandoned Vessels: If any unattended vessel shall be found to be anchored or moored illegally within the waters of the Municipality, the Board of Port Wardens may assume custody of such vessel and cause it to be removed and held or placed in storage. Board of Port Wardens or their agent shall not be held liable for any damage to such vessel not liable to its owners before or after assuming custody. Vessels so taken into custody shall be released to the owner by the Board of Port Wardens only after satisfactory proof of ownership has been presented and full reimbursement made to The Commissioners of Oxford for all cost incident to recover, movement and storage as set forth in Article V, Sec. 25. Sec. 25. Fees Incidental to Recover, Movement and Storage: Charges imposed by Board of Port Wardens for Recovery and/or movement of vessels shall be in accordance with the reasonable costs approved by the Commissioners of Oxford or as subsequently amended, and whenever a vessel is impounded or held for safekeeping there shall be in addition to charge for storage that is consistent with current market rates for such services. Sec. 26. Obstructions of Fairways, Channels or Berthing Spaces and Removal of Sunken Vessels: (a) It shall be unlawful to tie up or anchor a vessel in The Waters of the Municipality in such a manner as to obstruct the fair- ways or channels or to prevent or obstruct the passage of other vessels; or to voluntarily or carelessly sink or allow to be sunk any vessel in any channel, fairway, berthing space; or to float loose timbers, debris, logs or piles in any channel, fairway, or berthing space in such a manner as to impede navigation or cause damage to vessels therein. It is understood that wrecked or sunken vessels within a harbor are subject to the published rules and regulations of the United States Coast Guard and any applicable State Law, rules or regulations. (b) Whenever the navigation of any waters within The waters of the municipality, including anchorages and berths therein, shall be obstructed or endangered by any sunken vessel or other obstruction and the obstruction or danger has existed for a period of more than six months, the vessel or obstruction shall be subject to removal, sale or other disposition in accordance with Article V, Section 24. The IV-37 owner or owners of such vessel or other property causing said ob- struction or danger shall be liable to the Commissioners of oxford for all costs incident to said removal and disposition, and the Board of Port Wardens, its employees, agents, and officers, shall not be liable for damages of any nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with removal, sale or disposition of such vessel or other property. ARTICLE VI REGULATIONS CONCERNING COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY Sec. 27. Soliciting: Soliciting is prohibited within the harbor, except as may be specially authorized by permit issued by the Commissioners of Oxford and subject to terms and conditions pre- scribed in such permit. Sec. 28. Water Taxi and Rental Vessels: No person shall operate a water taxi within a harbor or maritime facility without first obtaining a permit from the Board of Port Wardens and complying with any rules and regulations of Ordinances of the Commissioners of Oxford including any other licensing requirement. ARTICLE VII SANITATION REGULATIONS Sec. 29. Discharge of Refuse: It shall be a violation of this Ordinance to discharge or permit the discharge into the waters of the harbor of any refuse or waste matter, petroleum or petroleum matter, paint, varnish or any other foreign matter, including dead animals, fish and bait. Sec. 30. Use of Vessel as Abode: Living aboard vessels in the harbor is prohibited except as may be specially authorized by permit issued by the Board of Port Wardens For the Purpose of the Section, the term "living aboard" means the continuous use of a vessel for a period in excess of two weeks, including use of the vessel for over- night lodging. Sec. 31. Responsiblity for Sanitation of Facilities: The lessee, agent, manager or person in charge of a facility or water area under lease from the municipal harbor shall at all times maintain the premises under his charge in a clean, sanitary condition, free from malodorous materials and accumulations of garbage, refuse, debris and other waste materials. Should the Board of Port Wardens find that any facility or lessee, agent, manager or other person in charge of IV-38 said facility or area to immediately commence and diligently prosecute to completion the necessary correction of the unsanitary condition to the satisfaction of Board of Port Wardens. Failure to do so with reasonable dispatch shall be a violation of this Article, and the Board of Port Wardens may then cause condition to be corrected and the cost - of such correction shall be charged to said lessee, agent, manager or person in charge. ARTICLE VIII SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE Sec. 32. Flammable and Combustible Liquids and/or Materials: Withing the municipal harbor no person shall sell, offer for sell, or deliver in bulk any class of flammable or combustible material, nor dispense any flammable liquids into the fuel tanks of a vessel except when in compliance with all requirements of the N.F.P.C. 303 Fire Code any other laws or regulations applicable thereto. Sec. 33. Obstruction to Walkways: Obstructing walkways within the harbor by mooring lines, waterhoses, electrical cables, boarding ladders, permanently fixed stairs or any other materials is strictly prohibited. Dinghys may not be left on the floats and piers, but may be stored only in areas designated for that purpose. Sec. 34. Defective or Dangerous Conditions: Whenever any build- ings, structures or floating facilities within the waters of the Munici- pality either on land or water are found to be defective or damaged so as to be unsafe or dangerous to persons or property, it shall be the duty of the owner, agent, lessee, operator or person in charge thereof to immediately post a proper notice and/or fence or barricade and at night to adequately light such unsafe area or areas, and such unsafe area or areas shall be kept posted and lighted and/or fenced or barricaded until the necessary repairs are made. In the event an owner, agent, lessee, operator or person in charge fails or neglects to repair or to put up fences or other barriers to prevent persons from using or going upon the unsafe area or areas - the Board of Port Wardens may then take such measures as he may deem necessary for the protection of the public and charge the cost of same to such owner, lessee, agent, person or persons having charge of the build- ings, structures, or floating facilities that are defective or danger- ous. Sec. 35. Marine Fire and Rescue Force: The Oxford Fire Company shall have the authority to establish a Marine Fire and Rescue Force with all necessary powers to board vessels as required and to carry out their duties regarding any fire or rescue related activity and the IV-39 owner of such vessel shall be liable for any costs incurred by the Commissioners of Oxford or the Oxford Fire Company in the carrying out of such duties. 7B/D IV-40 Fire and Safety Contingency Planning At the present the contingency planning for the harbor fire and safety lies solely with the Oxford Volunteer Fire company. Because the Fire Company is engaged in an unending obligation to serve as primary fire and rescue service for the Town of Oxford as well as supportative service for areas lying between Rt 50 to the east, the Choptank River to the south, and Peach- blossom Creek to the north, it may be necessary for the Town of Oxford to assist when possible with any additional efforts to expand service for the waterfront. Establishment and maintenance fo fire lanes at the end of streets that lead to the harbor will provide necessary access to much of the harbor. However, in order to have access to all portions of the Town waters, additional points of access may be needed. A necessary addition to a complete contingency plan for har- bor fire and resuce will be a properly equipped vessel capable of carrying injured persons as well as towing a burningvessel away from other vessels. A berth easily accessable to a rescue crew at any time day or night would be beneficial. Maintaining the launch in a ready state would require identifying all items that may be required and purchasing the same. This is a pro- ject that can be done in conjunction with the Board of Port Wardens and Oxford Fire Company if a launch is ready for service. Initial practice runs towing vessels out of the harbor or re- moving inJured persons from anchored vessels and getting them ashore to a waiting ambulance safely, may be necessary for needed confidence and effectiveness during actual emergency situations. MAP 6 0 LEGEND Fire C o. Fire Lanes Accessable Locations IV-42 Management Considerations Introduction @n addition to the Administrative Considerations outlined above, three major topics requiring management attention are discussed below. There are however, other needed improvements in management rel,ating to the waters of Oxford, but they are not all fully addressed in this study due to lack of time. The topics chosen and given the highest priority by the Harbor Manage- ment Study Committee were either detailed in the Recommendations or in this section. IV-43 Channels and Anchorage Areas Because Town Creek is used by boaters with differing objectives (Commercial watermen, visiting recreational boaters, and homeport recreational boaters) conflicts develop regarding such matters as access to service docks and permanent moorings, movement through harbor areas, and open water anchorage requirements. Apparently, the single greatest period for congestion in the harbor is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, during the sailing season. The congestion is excessive during the seven or eight holiday weekends and regatta weekends. In the past no efforts have been made to mark the two Anchorage Areas that have been previously designated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Consequently during certain peak use periods movement in the harbor area is accomplished by weaving around visiting yachts anchored in the protected water of the harbor. Within Town Creek the Army Corps of Engineers have a designated channel. This channel extends from the mouth of Town Creek to it's source approximately 5000 feet to the south. The first 2000 feet of the channel is 100 feet wide with a ten foot project depth. The following 1400 feet have a similar width and a project depth of 8 feet while the last 1600 feet has a width of 60 feet and a project depth of 7 feet, This project was last dredged in 1949 and is being monitored to determine the need for redredging or maintenance dredging. Pre- sently the Army Corps is planning to dredge Town Creek again in 1990. The present bottom conditions have been described in a 1980 bathy- metry study contracted by the Army Corps of Engineers. The study showed the bottom to be slowly filling in as sediment that is carried in with the tide is collecting on the bottom in this nor- mally calm harbor. The harbor entrance appears to be filling in slowly while the extreme end of the channel project has become a problem with depths at MLW of less than 5 feet. The Army Corps in addition to establishing a channel, has also designated and dredged two anchorage basins. These basins have a trapezoidal shape 300 feet long with 500 feet at the widest end and 300 feet at it's opposite end. The depth of the designated anchorage basins is approximately between 9 and 10 feet in the northern most basin area and between 4 and 8 feet in the southern most basin. Initially these basins had been dredged to 11 and 10 feet respectively. IV-44 MAP 7 Tred LEGEND Army Corps of Engineersy Channel Anchorages IV-45 The channel through Town Creek is clearly marked with nume- rous channel markers, however, the anchorage basins are presently not marked. In the future, if the need were to seem great enought, the Commissioners of Oxford could request that the anchorage ba- sins be properly marked by the Army Corps. However, the most often used anchorage area is not within Town Creek, but just off shore of "The Strand". There is a large area, for anchorage here, however because of its popularity during heavy use periods, the open water mooring in this area interfers with the movement of waterborne traffic in the Tred Avon River. Should this become a serious problem as present use levels increase then the anchorage area in this location could also be better marked to designate proper boundaries. Due to the close proximity of Oxford to Annapolis, Anne Arun- del County, and Baltimore City it is likely that this harbor will continually be subjected to an ever increasing volume of visiting boaters which may in the future necessitate the dredging of addi- tional areas. Eventually there may be sufficient need for supervision and regulation of activities in the harbor to necessitate the hiring of a harbormaster. Initially this may be needed only during peak use periods such as summer weekends, in which case a part-time harbormaster may be sufficient. The expense of such-an employee could be easily offset by potential revenue from commercial slip taxes levied by the town or rentals from municipal slips. IV-46 DREDGING Introduction Within the waters of Oxford there are various areas of shoaling. These shoals have resulted from several natural processes. The pro- cesses are, (1) movement of bottom sediments due to littoral drift (longshore currents) (2) the natural settling action of suspended sediments in quiet waters, and (3) storm drainage outfalls flushing sand and silt from the town streets into the town waters. . Progressively these processes are robbing the town boating public of desperately needed anchorage area in the harbor as well as ac- cess to channels for the orderly flow of waterborne traffic. DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL DREDGING LOCATIONS Currently the Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to redredge the "Town Creek Project" in 1990. In order to proceed with the pro- ject the Town of Oxford will need to establish a dredge material placement facility. The estimates for the spoil material volume are 70,000 cubic feet of material. There are other additional areas of shoaling within Town Creek that will require dredging which can be accommodated either before the Town Creek project or after the stabilization of the material dredged from the Town Creek project. Because a major proportion of the proposed spoil material woul be characteristically mud and sand, mud and/or clay, all preplanning for spoil disposal will assume that the spoil material will be of a relatively heavy, dence character. SIZING OF DREDGED MATERIAL PLACEMENT (DMP) FACILITY CONTAINMENT AREA The dredged material placement (DMP) facility as described in this chapter is basically a sedimentation basin consisting of a. surface area surrounded by a confining structure. The settling basin is designed to remove the solid fraction of the dredge slurry that is pumped into the confining structure. As the solids settle out of the agueous portion of the dredge slurry the water is drained off as an effluent. This effluent discharge is by law required to meet certain established state water quality standards. IV-47 The approach used in this chapter was taken from study re- cently conducted for the Maryland Coastal Zone Program, Tide- water Administration, Department of Natural Resources. The study entitled "Choptank River Dredged Material Placement Study' outlines methods to be used for design, construction, and costs for OMP facilities as well as the associated dredging projects. DMP FACILITY SIZING FORMULA Bul king Factor of ,(Cubic Ya.rds,of (Spoil Material Spoil Mater al) Area Required for DMP Facility Effective Depth Volume of Facility (of Dike (in Acre/Feet (2.5) 709 00 13.7 Acre 8 X IbUU IV-48 FIGURE 6 SITING CRITERIA CATEGORIES AND RANKING CATEGORIES CATEGORIES 1. Present land use 5. Ownership a. residential a. Town owned b. commerical b. Other single ownership c. industrial C. Multiple ownership d. recreational e. agricultural 6. Accessability by pipe f. woodland a. within 5000' 2. Proposed land use b. within 7500' C. greater than 7500' a. residential b. commercial 7. Accessability by truck c. industrial d. recreational a. Easily accessable e. agricultural b. roadbase required f. woodland C. clearing & roadbase 3. Adjacent land use (within 300 feet) required 8. Environmental Suitability a. woodland and/or agricultural only a. woodland b. residential b. agricultural c. recreational d. industrial 4. Soil Characteristics a. dry and/or strong base b. wet and/or weak base IV-49 IDENITFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL DMP FACILITY SITES In attempting to locate an appropriate area for a DMP facility a list of potential sites should be compiled, The sites should then be evaluated and ranked according to the eight individual parameters regarding suitability for DMP facility siting. (See Figure 6 ). The criteria used for evaluation of the eight sites are based on parameters identified in the CHOPTANK RIVER DREDGED MATERIAL PLACEMENT STUDY mentioned above, The above referenced parameters were modified somewhat for use in,a localized area. These eight individual parameters are listed below: 1. Present Land Use 2. Proposed Land Use 3, Adjacent Land Use 4. Soil Characteristics 5. Property Ownership 6. Assessibility by Pipe 7. Assessibility by Truck 8. Environmental Suitability Dredging Project Funding Because of the difficulty typically encountered in establish-ing a DMP Facility site, it will be necessary for the Town of Oxford to begin well before the proposed dredging is initiated, Government funding assistance for dredging projects is limited at t4is time to federal money for Army Corps of Engineer projects and State money through the Tidewater Administration for projects pertaining to public waterfront facilities. The funds are also limited to the actual dredging operation and disposal thereof. Money is riot available for the purchasing of property to be used in the disposal of the spoil generated from such projects. In cases involving Federal projects the incorporated towns will be able to acquire technical assistance from the county govern- ment for additional preplanning and associated efforts in identi- fic4tion and acquisition of needed lands. Any additional dredging to be undertaken beyond the funding guidelines mentioned above will probably have to be borne by the town itself. IV-50 Management of Public Owned Waterfront Structures Introduction In order to establish a management scheme for publicly owned water- front structures in Oxford, an inventory and evaluation of existing structures was undertaken with the assistance of the Assistant County Engineer. The structural evaluations were conducted and the result categorized accordingly: A. Bulkheading B. Docks Recommendations were then prepared for each structure regarding maintenance and eventual replacement. See Appendix #A 2. Publicly owned Waterfront Structures (See Map # 8 A. Head of Town Creek B. "The Strand" C. Morris Street D. Pleasant Street E. Town Square F. Benoni Street G. West Division Street H. West End of "The Strand" 1. Tilghman Street J. Market Street Waterfront Structures - Maintenance Considerations During the last ten years the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has been very active in funding, when possible, the construction of municipal waterfront structures for the use of the general boating public. This has been a great benefit for small municipalities such as Oxford in helping them provide services that otherwise may have been impossible to afford. However, because the life expectancy of these structures is limited they will eventually need to be replaced. Furthermore, because much of this construction in Oxford has occurred during a relatively short period, the replacement of these structures will probably be required during a similar period of time. This is not a surprising circumstance but because of national economic trends and the State's diminished ability to provide fund- ing for such projects, municipalities may find themselves faced with skyrocketing replacement costs and only partial State fund- ing. IV-51 ME EM IME Tred Avon Rive, n- An approach to dealing with this problem would be to develop a program of maintenance that would prolong the deterioration of the town owned bulkhead and docks. This type of mainten- ance would require an annual inspection of all structures as well as other preventive measures such as painting of untreated timber or placing armor stone at the foot of all bulkhead not used for berthing boats. By developing such a maintenance pro- gram replacement of most of the Town owned waterfront structures may be delayed many years. Without such a program the failure of one structure may be followed by others within a few short years. Maintenance for Bulkheading Because of the degree of intimate contact that a timber bulk- head has with corrosive and destructive forces such as, groundwater, seawater, fungi, and wood booring organisms, it is essential that they are carefully maintained in order to minimize these destructive forces. A maintenance program for bulkheading must be primarily pre- ventive in nature, in order to be effective. The time and money spent during such activity will be easily recovered through the extended lifetime of the structure. The backbone of a maintenance program will be a careful annual inspection. Items to be included in the inspection would be for: - condition of capboard - presence of submining condition of backfill - condition of major bulkhead members (wales, piles, sheathing) - condition of hardware (exposed por- tion of tie rods, nuts and bolts) - presence of piling caps - condition of fender boards on piling, if present Additionally, each year the exposed portions of all hardware, es- pecially the tie rods shanks, should be carefully coated with asphalt roofing cement. By keeping a capboard on top of the bulkhead, rainwater and over- splashing sea water is kept away from the end grain of the sheathing. Submining is the loss of earth material behind a bulkhead, usually localized to a small area, which produces a pit which will collect rainwater. Both submining and absence of a capboard will promote. IV-53 fungus rot often stealing years of life from the structure. Capboards should be C.C.C. treated 2 x 12's or 2 x 101s. Submining @hould be filled with a porous material such as crushed oyster shell or a good grade of sand. Backfill is necessary to avoid -damage to the tie rods and for proper channeling of rain water away from the bulkhead , Fill ma- terial should also be of a porous earth material such- as sand, The sound condition of major bulkhead members is essential in maintaining the structural integrity, without which the structure may partially collapse causing many dollars in repairs. One of the potential trouble spots on any bulkhead is the ex- posed portion of the tie rods. It is here that the metal of the tle rod is repeatedly wetted and dried and exposed to salt air, This is usually the point where the tie rod will rust and eventually break This type of breakage can't be ignored and re@uires digging out of the backfill, and either a welding repair or comp ete replacement, both very expensive. Pilings on the bulkhead require some type of weatherproof cap to avoid getting moisture into the exposed end grain of the piling. This type of exposure will cause rotting, but can be easily avoided by a plastic, aluminum or resin cover. All types of coverings are easily destroyed and must be carefully maintained. Wooden fender boards are an inexpensive and easy method for protecting piling sides. They are not normally required unless the bulkhead is used as a commercial fishing or large boat servicing area. Maintenance for Docks and Fingerplers With proper maintenance and attention a dock or fingerpier can last for many years. If the pilings are of sufficient size and are not subject to major ice damage then the periodic replacement of decking, stringers, cross sills and bracing will extend the life of such a structure until the pilings require replacement. Annual inspections of docks should include replacement of any failing members as well as painting or coating of any untreated timber that has been used in their construction. Maintenance of Pilings Life expectancy for creosote pilings is difficult to predict. Prop(@r maintenance of pilings will extend their life by slowing rot and fiber damage. IV-54 Waterfront Structure Replacement Program Introduction Replacement of waterfront structures can be difficult if there ha@ not been sufficient fiscal p@anning prior to the required con-@ struction. However, by programming needed expenditures accurately, revenues can be set aside in light of present and projected needs, It is with this in mind that the following structure replacemen t program is suggested. However, it is important to note that the actual year of replacement for any given bulkhead or dock is dif7 ficult to estimate due to the various independent factors that will influence life expectancy. Because of the exorbitant cost of bulkhe'ad construction this replacement program will concentrate primarily on bulkheading and less on docks. Replacement of Bulkhead During the waterfront structure inventory conducted this summer an estimation of life expectancy was attempted using the town files for information on construction methods and materials. These estimations are made with the understanding that these are only "best guesses" and are subject to variation, This can be accomplished by keeping a weatherproof cap on top of the pilings and fender boards on the side when necessary. Pilings can also be pulled up from the bottom by the vertical movement of sheet ice. When this occurrs the piles should be immediately redriven to their proper depth. Chart # 7 shows the projected lifetime for the town owned water- front structures. The replacement dates are then listed in five year periods, The first five year period (present to 1986) has two sections that will probably require replacement. These sections are the timber bulkhead at West Division Street section which is failing due to extensive deterioration as well as the stones in the groins at the west end of "The Strand" have slowly unconsolidated. The following five year period has only one section projected for replacement. This is a 55 foot section of concrete bulkhead which may only require additional rip rap. During the 1993 to 1998 period there is again only one section requiring replacement. The section needing replacement will be a 225 foot section of timber bulkhead. There are three sections in the 1999 to 2004 year period. These three sections are one concrete bulkhead and two timber bulkhead sec- tions. Between the years of 2005 and 2010 there should be two sections of bulkhead. One section of 95 feet of timber bulkhead and another section of 250 feet of concrete bulkhead with stone riprap. IV-55 FIGURE 7 LEll('TH PROJECTUL Pr,17-SPJ-i 1 9,@7 1999 1 K7 HATERIAL LOCATION LIFE 1 qg-) (FEFT) T I ;',tE 1 ql@rl 199p, 1 J 10 TI,'lRER HEAD OF TOWN CRM 2 2 5 15 A I I MORRIS S7EET TMS'EP 95 25 STOINE PLEASANT STREET 40 ?n A STONE TOWN SQUARE 250- S T r, N rc' BENONI STREET 55 1 r) T I B E DivisioN ST. 419 5 A T tl B ER TILGH.,"AN STREET 1-90 20 WZST END OF "THE 11 ST ON E STRAND" .0 0 "THE STRAINID" N/A N/A A N "A IN, /A A A T 01IN E REVETMENT 600 100 TMRC -10 R BULKHFAD 130 IV-56 I I I I I I I SLIPVEY RESULTS I FOR I OXTORD HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN I JANUARY 12, 1981 1 'A AI-1 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE A. Survey Results - Frequency of Response by Number and Percentage ..................................................... AI-3 B. Data By Boat Ownership ............................................... AI-JI C. Data By Type of Boat Owned ........................................... Al-14 D. Data By Type of Dockage .............................................. Al-16 E. Data By Boat Ownership and House Location ........................................................... Al-20 AI-2 Do you ovin a boat? Actual No. Percentaae Yes 112 65.9 No 58 34.1 ts do you own? h ow many boa I Boat 65 59.1 2 Boats 30 27.3 3 Boats 10 9.1 4 Boats 3 2.7 5 Boats 2 1.8 3- Whare is/are your boat(s) kept? Trailered 11 10.3 In the Harbor 57 53.3 Elsewhere 22 20.6- Trailered and in the Harbor 8 7.5 In the Harbor and Elsewhere 5 4.7 Trailered and Elsewhere 4 3.7 4. pe of dockage do you use? YP Town Slips 23 21.7 Public Marina 16 15.1 Private Slip 58 54.7 Other 5 4.7 5. Whcit type of boat do you own? Sailboat 42. 38.5 Powerboat 45 41.3 Both 22 20.2 6. What size is your boat? 15 Feet or Less 21 19.3 16 to 25 Feet 47 43.1 26 to 40 Feet 35 32.1 Over 40 Feet 6 5.5 AI-3 7. On an average, how many ti,mes,a year do you use your boat? 1 - 6 6 5.6 6 - 12 8 7.4 12 - 24 33 30.8 Over 24 60 56.1 Using an IT', indi,cate app -,ox imate.lopAti 0 our- dock-,@S'.Tt on the map, V . .... ...... . ...... . .. 74 A . ....... ... . D' ER 333 . .... . . ....... 7 .............. ..: .. .......... . ... .... ............. .............. SINCILAI ;0 STREET ITRUAX 0 rr. S ............. Uj Qc ZOIKLET ............. ...... JL- DIVI ..... LA 21.7 Ile, 0 .......... .*- z C: 10 lp V, Pump 7-7 z 0 T LU S A. -C3 EB P.5 A N T LU S. z C-41 S T .:-MA INA T. f XT. PLER.. OP. C 9. Tf you A. live in oxford Where.in town do you ljye?, Using a ci@rcje. "0" indicate tfte approximate location on the map, I/V W ARIKA ... ....... ............ A .... .... .. ... .. - ................. .. . ...... ............ ........... ........ ..... ..... EA@ ST ANCLAIR ...... .... STREET 0 z . ...... ... RICHARDS NEU ON M ST4ET 0 7- In z 0 A STA. ASANT 5T. -7@ CN ST fKT. Of RLOWS PIVEPVIE"v In your opinion, what is the biggest problem i n the town harbor r Actual No. Percentage Congestion, 51 34.5 Pollution 38 25.7 No Organized Mooring Pattern 10 6.8 Need More Slips 6 4.0 Need Dredging 2 1.3 Better Channel flarking - Another Buying Station for Watermen Need Better Parking Facilities Around Harbor - - No Problems in Harbor 7 4.7 Don't Know of any Problems 13 8.8 Watermen Need Private Mooring Area - - Miscellaneous 11 7.4 Expansion of Marinas 10 6.8 WhIch of these. best fits the kind of work that the head of the household does? -Retired 77 45.3 Professional or Executive 67 39.4 Sales or Clerical. 8 4.7 Craftsman 11 6.5 Waterman 6 3.5 Student, Apprentice 1 0.6 Laborer, Semi-Skilled, etc. - - A1-6 IA. How much of your personal income comes from commercial fishina? Actual No. Percentage 0 - 25% 2 50.0 25 - 50% - 50 - 75% 25.0 75 - 100% 25.0 11B. ti.fhat type of commercial fishing do you do? Crabbing Oystering - Clamming 1 20.0 Finfishinq 1 20.0 Charter Fishing 1 20.0 Crabbing @ Oystering 2 40.0 Crabbing, Oystering & Clamming - - Oystering & Clamming 111C. As A watparman ftow would you r4nk.the.hArbQr as A ftomeport for your operation? Excellent-7' 3 60.0 Good 20.0 Average - Poor 20.0 Terrible - 11D, As a wAterman whAt do you see..4s the three biggest problems with ha I your operation li@sed in tKis-harbor? vj.ng Ist 2nd 3rd Movement in Harbot 2 Inadequate Parking - Lack of Unloading Space Insufficient Mooring or Slip Locations Added Costs involved With Harbor Use Other AI-7 '12. Are You Ac.tual No.- Percen ta2e P141 e 136 78.6 Female 37 21.4 13. What is your age? Under 20 20-30 - M-44 2 .1.2 45-64 33 19,2 65 or over 66 38.4 71 41.3 14, How many years have you lived in town? 0-5 56 6-15 33.3 16-25 57 33.9 25-50 14 8.3 Over 50 24 14.3 17 10.1 AI-8 15. Where do you live? Actual No. Percent2a@, In Town 152 87,9 Out of Town But in the County 12 6.9 Elsewhere 9 5.2 16. How adequate are parking areas, with respect to the docks and mooring spaces? Very Adequate 26 18.3 Adequate 90 63.4 Inadequate 25 17.6 Very Inadequate 1 0.7 17. Row adequate are mooring and docking faci-littes?, Very Adequate 21 15.1 Adequate 91 65.5 Inadequate 23 16.5 Very Inadequate 4 2.9 18. How adequate are services available to boaters? Very Adequate 31 22.5 Adequate 82 59.4 Inadequate 21 15.2 Very Inadequate 4 2.9 20. How adequate is trash collection and removal? Very Adequate 17 13.2 Adequate 86 66.7 Inadequate 19 14.7 Very Inadequate 7 5.4 AI-9 21. How adequate is security, for the protection of boats and property.? Actual No. Percentage Very Adequate 14 11.2 Adequate 92 73.6 Inadequate 16 12.8 Very Inadequate 3 2.4 22. ..'-s control and regulation of traffic within the harbor a problem? Serious Problem 17 12.2 Minor Problem 43 30.9 Sl-ight Problem 29 20.9 No Problem 50 36.0 AI-10 14 0 1 1 1 I I I I I DATA BY BOAT OWNERSHIP I I I I I I I I I A AI-11 DATA BY BOAT OWNERSHIP Boat Owners Non-Boat Owners Number % Number % 1. In your opinion, what is the biggest problem in the town harbor? Congestion 31 31.0 20 41.7 Pollution 23 23.0 15 31.2 Miscellaneous 10 10.0 No Organized Mooring Pattern 9 0.9 Don't Know 4 8.3 2. How adequate are parking areas, with respect to the docks and mooring spaces? Very Adequate 21 20.4 5 12.8 Adequate 68 66.0 22 56.4 Inadequate 13 12.6 12 30.8 Very Inadequate 1 1.0 - - 3. How adequate are mooring and docking facilities? Very Adequate 17 16.5 4 11.1 Adequate 66 64.1 25 69.4 Inadequate 17 16.5 6 16.7 Very Inadequate 3 2.9 1 2.8 4. How adequate are services available to boaters? Very Adequate 27 26.0 4 11.8 Adequate 62 59.6 20 58.8 Inadequate 12 11.5 9 26.5 Very Inadequate 3 2.9 1 2.9 5. How adequate is trash collection and removal? Very Adequate 13 13.3 4 12.9 Adequate 65 66.3 .21 67.7 Inadequate 16 16.3 3 9.7 Very Inadequate 4 4.1 3 9.7 6. How adequate is security, for the protection of boats and property? Very Adequate 12 12.4 2 7.1 Adequate 75 77.3 17 60.7 Inadequate 10 10.3 6 21.4 Very Inadequate - - 3 10.7 AI-12 Boat Owners Non-Boat Owners Number.- % Number % 7. Is control and regulation of traffic within the harbor a problem? Serious Problem 12 11.1 12 12.4 Problem 31 28.7 12 40.0 Minor Problem 25 23.1 3 10.0 No Problem 40 37.0 10 33.3 AI-13 I I I I I I I I I I DATA BYTYPE OF BOAT OWNED I I I I I M 0 A AI-14 DATA BY TYPE OF BOAT OWNED Sailboat Powerboat Both What size is it? 15 or Less 5 11.9% 16 35.6% - 16 to 24 19 45.2% 18 40.0 10 45.5% 25 to 40 16 38.1% 9 20.0 10 45.5% Over 40 2 4.8% 2 4.4% 2 9.0% How often do you use it? I - 6 3 7.1% 3 7.0% - - 6 - 12 2 4.8% 5 11.60/0 1 4.5% 12 - 24 14 33.3% 13 30.2% 627.3% Over 24 23 54.8% 22 51.2% 15 68.2% What is the biggest problem? 1 Congestion 12 31.6% 11 29.7% 627.3% 2 Pollution 10 26.3% 8 21.6% 418.2% 3 No Organized Mooring 3 7.9% 6 16.2% - - 4 Need More Slips 2 5.3% 3 8.1% - - 5 Need Dredging 1 2.6% - - 1 4.5% 6 Better Channel Marking - - - - - - 9 No Problem - - 2 5.4% 2 9.1% 10 Don't Know 2 5.3% 6 16.2% 1 4.5% 12 Miscellaneous 3 7.9% - - 731.8% 13 Expansion of Marinas 5 13.2% 1 2.7% 1 4.5% AI-15 I I I I I I I I I DATA BY TYPE OF DOCKAGE I I I I I I m AI-16 DATA BY TYPE OF DOCKAGE Town Slip Renter Private Slip Number % Number % 1. What type of boat do you own? 10 38.5 18. 30.0 Sailboat 13 50.0 27 45.0 Powerboat 3 11.5 15 25.0 Both 2. What size is your boat? 3 11.5 12 20.0 15 or Less 14 53.8 25 41.7 16 to 25 9 34.6 19 31.7 26 to 40 - 4 6.7 Over 40 3. On an average, how many times a year do you use your boat? 1-6 1 3.8 2 3.4 6-12 - - 7 11.9 12-24 11 42.3 18 30.5 Over 24 .14 53.8 32 54.2 4. In your opinion, what is the biggest problem in the town harbor? 1. Congestion 6 26.1 17 30.9 2. Pollution 6 26.1 14 25.5 3. No Organized Mooring 2 8.7 4 7.3 4. Need More Slips 1 4.3 3 5.5 5. Need Dredging - - 1 1.8 6. Better Channel Marking - - 3 5.5 10. Don't Know 4 17.4 3 5.5 12. Miscellaneous 2 8.7 6 10.9 13. Too Much Commercial Expansion 2 8.7 4 7.3 5. How adequate are parking areas, with respect to the docks and moori@g spaces? Very Adequate 8 30.8 9 17.0 Adequate 14 53.8 37 69.8 Inadequate 4 15.4 6 11.3 Very Inadequate - - 1 1.9 6. How adequate are mooring and docking facilities? Very Adequate 6 23.1 5 9.6 Adequate 14 53.8 37 71.1 Inadequate 5 19.2 8 15.4 Very Inadequate 1 3.8 2 3.8 AI-17 I Town Slip Renter Private Slip Number % Number % 7. How adequate are services available to boaters? Very Adequate 6 23.1 15 27.8 Adequate 14 53.8 34 63.0 Inadequate 3 11.5 5 9.3 Very Inadequate 3 11.5 - - 8. How adequate is trash collection and removal? Very Adequate 3 11.5 7 13.7 Adequate 17 65.4 35 68.6 Inadequate 5 19.2 8 15.7 Very Inadequate 1 3.8 1 2.0 9- How adequate is security, for the protection of boats and property? Very Adequate 4 15.4 7 14.6 Adequate 18 69.2 37 77.1 Inadequate 4 15.4 4 8.3 Very Inadequate - - - - 10. Is control and regulation of traffic within the I harbor a problem? Serious Problem 3 12.0 6 10.3 Minor Problem 6 24.0 20 34.5 Slight Problem 4 16.0 15 25.9 No Problem 12 48.0 17 29.3 11. If you have a town slip, what type of work do you do? Retired 10 38.5 19 32.2 Professional or Executive 11 42.3 27 45.8 Sales or Clerical 1 3.8 4 6.8 Craftsman - - 7 11.9 WaterTnan 4 15.4 2 3.4 AI-18 If you have a town slip , using an 'T', indicate approximate location ofyour dock site on the map. .......... -'bit OW gfpt J .. ....... . 00 if you have a private slip, using an 'T', indicate approximate location of your dock site on the map. :.. ...... . 6b 30 20 11 AV QN1 p . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... H 11V"OS Vi woe- 12-0 . .......... . . ......... 2 % P I I I I I I I I I DATA BY BOAT OWNERSKIP I AND HOUSE LOCATION I I .4 AI-20 OXFORD DIVIDED ..... ..... ................ -, ......... .14 c . . ...... ........... 3 .7 . .......... . ...... . ......... .... .. . . Cii F A ST SINCLA" STREET NN' TRUA ....... ET 14 RICH ARD 0%7 ...... ..... ... ...... ET DIVI LA rn :i 0 In z rc ....... ..... . 70 qp. j: '94 ui Jim S. . . .. ... :.: uj z C@j t ST fKT' PIER likf P. WIELows AVff@kt PIVERv#F w ol U.S. DFPARTfAF.NT OF FISH AID WILDLIFE-,-SE.RVICE BOAT OWNERS BY HOUSE LOCATION SECTORS (SEE ATTACHED MAP) 1 2 3 4 5 In your opinion, what is the biq- gest problem in the town harbor? Congestion 5 25.0% 8 32.0% 3 42.1% 1 2 25.0% 7 38. Pollution 4 20.0% 5 22.0% 4 21.0% 4 50.0% 3 16. No Organized Mooring Pattern 4 16.0% 2 10.5% 1 12.5% 1 5. Need More Slips 1 5.0% - - 2 10.5% - 2 11.1% Need Dredging 1 5.1 Better Channel Marking - - Another Buying Station for Watermen Need Better Parking Facilities Around Harbor No Problem in Harbor - 2 8.0% 2 10.5% - - - - Don't Know of any Problems 5 25.0% 1 4.0% - - 1 12.5% 1 5.1 Watermen Need Private Mooring Area Miscellaneous 2 10.0% 3 12.0% 1 5.3% 1 5. Expansion of Marinas 3 15.0% 2 8.0% - - 2 11.4 How adequate are parking areas, @t,-.Pith respect to the docks and mooring spaces? Very Adequate 5 19.2% 4 15.4% 7 38.9% 2 25.0% 2 11.8% Xidequate 17 65.4% 20 76.9% 8 44.4% 5 62.5% 12 70. Inadequate 4 15.4% 2 7.7% 2 11.1% 1 12.5% 3 17-1 Very Inadequate - - - - 1 5.6% - - - How adequate are mooring and docking facilities? Very Adequate 7 26.9% 2 7.7% 4 23.5% 1 12.5% 3 17. Adequate 13 50.0% 21 80.8% 8 47.1% 5 62.5% 12 7 0 . 6 0% Inadequate 6 23.1% 3 11.5% 2 11.8% 2 25.0% 2 11 Very Inadequate - - - - 3 17.6% A How adequate are services avail- able to boaters? Very Adequate 8 30.8% 6 22.2% 6 33.3% 1 2 25.0% 4 23. Adequate 15 57.7% 17 63.0% 10 55.6% 4 50.0% 12 70.1 Inadequate 3 11.5% 3 11.1% 1 5.6% 1 12.5% 1 5.9% Very Inadequate - - 1 3.7% 1 5.6% 1 72.5% - - AI-22 BOAT OWNERS BY HOUSE LOCATION SECTORS (SEE ATTACKED MAP) 1 2 3 4 5 How adequate is trash collection and removal? Very Adequate 2 7.7% 3 12.0% 4 23.5% - 4 25.' 0% Adequate 17 65,4% 13 72,0% 9 52.19% 2 87.15% 11 68.7% Inadequate 5 19.2% 4 16.0% 3 17.6% 3 12.5% 1 -6.,3% Very Inadequate 2 7,7% - - 1 5.q% - - How adequate is security, for the protection of boats And property? Very Adequate 3 12.0% 1 4,0% 4 23,5% - 3 21.4% Adequate 19 76.0% 22 88.0% 12 70.6% 5 71t4% 11 78.6% Inadequate 3 1.2.0% 2 8.0% 1 519% 2 2816% Very Inadequate - Is control and regulation of traffic within the harbor a problem',? Serious Problem 2 7.7% 2 7.4% 4 21.0% - - 3 15.8% Minor Problem 3 11.5% 11 40.7% 7 36.8% 2 25.0% 7 36.3% @;Slight Problem 8 30.8% 5 18.5% 3 15.8% 2 25.0% 4 21.0% No Problem 13 50.0% 9 33,3% 5 26,3% 4 50.0% 5 26.3% AI-23 NON-BOAT OWNERS BY HOUSE LOCATION 1 SECTORS VEE ATTACHED 3MAP) 4 5 In your opinion, what is the biq- gest problem in the town ha rbori Congestion 6 50,0%- 6 50.0% 2 28.6% 2 20.0% 3 60.Oj Pollution 3 25,0% 4 33,3% 3 42.9% 4 40.0% 1 20.0 No Organized Mooring Pattern - - - - - 1 10.0% - Need More Slips 1 8,3% - Need Dredging - Better Channel Marking Another Buying Station for Waterman Need Better Parking Facilities Around Harbor No Problem in Harbor 2 16,7% 1 10.0% - Don't Know of any Problems - - 1 14,3% 2 20.0% 1 20.01 Watermen Need Private Moorina Area Miscellaneous - - 1 8.3% - Expansion of Marinas - 1 8.3% 1 14.3% How adequate are parking areas, .,Adith respect to the docks and mooring spaces? Very Adequate 1 8.3% 2 22.2% 1 16.7% 1 16.7% - - ;@Adequate 6 50,0% 5 55.6% 3 50.0% 4 66.7% 3 60.0% Inadequate 5 41.7% 2 22.2% 2 33.3% 1 16.7% 2 40. 01 Very Inadequate - - - - - - - - - - How adequate are mooring and docking facilities? Very Adequate 1 8,3% 1 11.1% 1 20.0% 1 20.0% - Adequate 8 66.7% 6 66.7% 4 40.0% 3 60.0% 4 100.0% Inadequate 2 16,7% 2 22.2% 1 20.0% - - Very Inadequate 1 8.3% - - - - How adequate are services avail- able to boaters? Very Adequate 8.3% 1 12.5% 1 20.0% 1 16.7% Adequate 8 66.7% 4 50,0% 3 60.0% 4 66.7% 6 Inadequate 2 16.7% 3 37.5% 1 20.0% 1 16.7% [1 50.0% Very Inadequate 1 8.3% - - - - - Al-24 NON-BOAT OWNERS BY HOUSE LOCATION SECTORS (SEE ATTACHED MAP) 2 3 4 5 How adequate is trash collection and removal? Very Adequate 1 9.1% - - 2 50.0% 1 20,0% - Adequate 9 81.8% 5 71.4% 1 25.0% 3 60.0% 2 66.7% Inadequate - - 1 14.3% 1 25.0% 1 33.3% Very Inadequate 1 90% 1 14.3% - - 1 20.0% - - How adequate is security, for the protection of boats and property? Very Adequate - - 1 14.3% - - - Adequate 5 55.6% 4 57.1% 3 75.0% 2 100.0% - - Inadequate 2 22.2% 1 14.3% 1 25.0% - - 2100.0% Very Inadequate 2 22.2% 1 14.3% - - Is control and regulation of traffic - within the harbor a problem? Serious Problem 2 20.0% 2 25.0% - - Minor Problem 30.0% 5 62.5% - - 1 20.0% - - ;Slight Problem 1 20.0% 2100.0% No Problem 1 10.0% - - 2 50.0% - - - - 4 40.0% 1 12.5% 2 50.0% 3 60.0% AI -25 I I APPENDIX 2 i I I I I I I I BULKHEAD EVALUATION I I I I I 0 1 I A2-1 FOOT OF PLEASANT STREET A. SITE DESCRIPTION Pleasant Street Concrete bulkhead and riprap - 40 feet B. STRUCTURE USES Bank Support C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Concrete bulkhead & armorstone D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION Armorstone is 'slumping forward Bank stabilization problem E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE New riprap to build up above the overtopping wave action Bank grading and stabilization F. YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION Unknown G. ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL LIFETIME 20 years with maintenance of armorstone FOOT OF BENONI STREET A. SITE DESCRIPTION Benoni Avenue - 55 feet of bulkhead with armor stone at base. B. STRUCTURE USES Bank support C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Cinder block wall with riprap and rubble D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION Cinder block is beginning to break up Bank stabilization problem E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Regrade bank and stabilize soil with plantings Cinder block bulkheading will not properly support bank for long. F . YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION Unknown G. ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL LIFETIME 10 years if armor stone is maintained. FOOT OF WEST DIVISION STREET A. SITE DESCRIPTION West Division St. Timber bulkhead 40 feet B. STRUCTURE USES Bank support C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS LENGTH OF: SIZE OF: a. Sheathing Unknown a. Walers 8x8 inches b. Pilings Unknown b. Pilings 8x8 inches c. Deadmen Unknown d. Tie rods Unknown DISTANCE BETWEEN: a. Pilings 8 feet CAP BOARD Yes b. Deadmen 16 feet BATTEN BOARD Yes D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION Sheathing Severe deterioration Pilings Several members weakened Walers Sound Tie Rods Sound E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Sheathing - replacement immediately Pilings reinforcement of weakened members Hardware coating of exposed hardware with asphalt cement F. YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION Unknown G. ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL LIFETIME 5 years WEST END OF "THE STRANDII A. SITE DESCRIPTION West end of "The Strand" - open beach area property length - 40 feet, beach depth 35 feet B. STRUCTURE USES Small boat launching and similar access C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION Stone groins have failed E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Determine if groins are required and rebuild if necessary F. YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION Unknown G. ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL LIFETIME Not applicable FOOT OF TILGHMAN STREET A. SITE DESCRIPTION East end of Tilghman St. 120 feet of bulkhead B. STRUCTURE USES Bulkhead used for town slips and boat launching ramp C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS LENGTH OF: SIZE OF: a. Sheathing Unknown a. Walers 8 inch x 8 inch b. Pilings Unknown b. Pilings 10 inches c. Deadmen Unknown d. Tie rods Unknown DISTANCE BETWEEN: a. Pilings 7 inches CAP BOARD No b. Deadmen 7 inches BATTEN BOARD Yes D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION Sheathing Deterioration in certain locations Pilings Sound Walers Sound Tie rods Sound E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Cement on hardware Capboard Replacement of deteriorated sheathing F. YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION Unknown G. ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL LIFETIME 20 years if properly maintained BULKHEAD AT THE HEAD OF TOWN CREEK A. SITE DESCRIPTION Approximately 225 feet of timber bulkhead which is adjacent to a macadam parking area. B. STRUCTURE USES This bulkhead has attached fingerpiers for town slips used by both recreational boaters and commercial fishermen. C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS LENGTH OF: SIZE OF: a. Sheathing Unknown a. Walers 6x6 inches b. Pilings Unknown b. Pilings variable 8 inches c. Deadmen Unknown to 12 inches d. Tie rods Unknown DISTANCE BETWEEN: a. Pilings 7 feet CAP BOARD No b. Deadmen 14 feet BATTEN BOARD Yes D. STRUCTURAL ELEVATION Sheathing Sheathing at corners is beginning to separate Pilings Timbers are sound but no caps Walers Sound Tie Rods Severe rust at exposed portions behind bulk- head E. REOUIRFn MATNTPNANrp Weakening of the tie rod is a potential threat. If this tie rod fails then there will be a 24 foot portion of the bulkhead without support.. Replacement of capboard. F. YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION Early 1970's ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL LIFETIME 15 years. BULKHEAD AT END OF MORRIS STREET A. SITE DESCRIPTION Morris Street - North End Parking area with bulkhead in two sections 95 feet of bulkhead and armorstone B. STRUCTURE USES Bank Support C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS LENGTH OF: SIZE OF: a. Sheathing Varied 6 feet-10 feet a. Walers 6x8 inches b. Pilings Varied 10 14 b. Pilings 10 inches c. Deadmen Unknown d. Tie Rods DISTANCE BETWEEN: a. Pilings CAP BOARD Yes b. Deadmen BATTEN BOARD Yes D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION 1. Materials are in good condition 2. Armor Stone at base of bulkhead in good condition 3. Fill behind bulkhead is insufficient and several tie rods are exposed and being damaged. E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Fill and grade as required Maintain proper-height of armorstone F. YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION First section unknown Second section 1977 G. ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL LIFETIME 30 years with armorstone properly maintained BULKHEAD ADJACENT TO "THE STRAND" A. SITE @@ESCRIPTION 130 feet of bulkhead adjacent to "The Strand" near the roads northern end. Timber bulkhead with riprap at base of structure serving as armorstone. B. STRUCTURE USES Bulkhead serves as bank support adjacent to road, however, tir@ber is not typically in contact with the river during normal tides. C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL LENGTH OF: SIZE OF: a. Sheathing Variable 7 to 5 feet a. Walers 6x6 (top) 2x6 bottom b. Pilings Unknown b. Pilings 6 x 8 inches c. Deadmen N/A d. Tie Rods N/A DISTANCE BETWEEN: a. Pilings 7 feet CAP BOARD Yes b. Deadmen N/A BATTEN BOARD No D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION All members are apparently sound at present E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Noneat present, maintain armorstone at proper height F. YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION 1977 G. ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL LIFETIME 20 TOWN SQUARE A. SITE DESCRIPTION Town Square on the Tred Avon River 250 ft. of shoreline B. STRUCTURE USES Cank Support Beach Access C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS 1. Concrete bulkhead 2. Concrete & stone groins 3. Armor Stone D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION 1. Concrete bulkhead sound 2. Concrete groins have failed 3. Riprap groins are beginning to fail 4. Bulkheading armorstone requires additional stone. E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Grading & Bank stabilization Building up armorstone as needed Building up groins as required F. YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION Unknown G. ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL LIFETIME 30 years with armorstone maintenance 0 I I I I I I DOCK EVALUATION I I I 0 0 I A A2-11 HEAD OF TOWN CREEK MUNICIPAL DOCK 1 A. SITE DESCRIPTION Head of Town Creek Linear Dock B. STRUCTURE USES Dock used for access to Town Slips C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS LENGTH OF SIZE OF: a. Pilings Unknown a. Pilings 9 inches b. Dock 180 feet b. Stringers 3x8 inches c. Fingerpier 16 feet c. Cross Sill 3x8 or 3x4 d. Bracing N/A e. Decking 2x4 inches DISTANCE BETWEEN: a. Pilings (horz.) 4 feet b. Pilings (perp) 15 feet c. Stringers 4 feet d. Bracing N/A DECKING STYLE Perpendicular D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION Sound condition E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Maintenance as required HEAD OF TOWN CREEK - MUNICIPAL DOCK #2 A. SITE DESCRIPTION Head of Town Creek "L" "Head" Dock B. STRCUTURE USES Dock used for access to town slips C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS LENGTH OF: SIZE OF: a. Pilings 7 feet a. Pilings 12 inches b. Dock 78 feet b. Stringers 3x8 inches c. Fingerpier 15 feet c. Cross Sills 3x8 inches d. Bracing N/A e. Decking 2xlO inches DISTANCE BETWEEN: a. Pilings (horz.) 4 feet b. Pilings (perp.) 15 feet c. Stringers 4 feet d. Bracing N/A DECKING STYLE perpendicular D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION Sound condition E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE New caps on piling where needed TILGHMAN STREET DOCK A. SITE DESCRIPTION Linear dock at foot of Tilghman Street B. STRUCTURE USES Dock is used for access to Town slips C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS LENGTH OF: SIZE OF: a. Pilings Unknown a. Pilings 10 inches b. Dock 45 feet b. Stringers 48 inches c. Fingerpier 24 feet c. Cross Sill 44 inches d. Bracing N/A e. Decking 2xl2 inches DISTANCE BETWEEN: a. Pilings (horz.) 5 feet b. Pilings (perp.) 15 feet c. Stringers 5 feet D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION Sound condition E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Replacement of weakened members as needed MARKET STREET DOCK - MUNICIPAL DOCK A. SITE DESCRIPTION Linear Dock on 35 feet of waterfront B. STRUCTURE USES Dock is used for access to town slips C. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS LENGTH OF: SIZE OF: a. Pilings Unknown a. Pilings 8 inches b. Dock 67 feet b. Stringers 3x8 inches c. Fingerpier N/A c. Cross Sill 2x8 inches d. Bracing 3x4 inches e. Decking 2xl2 inches DISTANCE BETWEEN: a. Pilings (horz.) 4 feet b. Pilings (perp.) 15 feet c. Stringers 4 feet d. Braci.ng 15 feet D. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION Minor ice damage due to lifting of piling in middle of dock E. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE Redrive piling when possible APM11D I X 3 Waterfront Structures - Minimum Specifications Introduction Establishing minimum design standards for waterfront structures can prevent inadequate construction and premature failure of town owned structures. The criteria presented below are intended to provide guidelines for construction and are not meant to be used as.an actual design. Minimum Specifications for Bulkheading Material Dimensions Wales 6x8 Inches Sheathing WO or 2x12 Inches Piles 12" Butt Measurement Tie Rods 3/4" Diameter Capboard 6xlO or 2xl2 CCC treated Structural Guidelines Typical Bulkhead, Elevation and Plan View Typical Bulkhead, Sectional View Typical Bulkhead, Pile Layout Typical Bulkhead, Flankwall Elevation Typical Bulkhead, Connection to Existing Bulkhead Butt Block, Detail Outfall Pipe Sleeve, Detail Cantilevered Bulkhead, Sec tional View Cantilevered Bulkhead, Elevation View Cantilevered Bulkhead, Wale Details A3-1 Pile 15ol+ej To Wale Rocl x ik@iV Galvanized Steel 5+d.--, CtA+ \.4azhars . Oath FcxceS7 Spaced As And \M+h"n -AA- 71 IIIQA PLAN VIEW Liner IJoin+-, To Tlall CO'- 0C -'G. (Typ.), No+ed 1 '' 77 01, T k" IT ly. L IV IA m N OT E.: GtaLq,,@,.:r loir+o 'IFpcr it Lc>-wer- WaIeZ $pliccs "FO Fall Piles Only ELEVAT 10 N V I E:W II@N T 10' Vx IZ" Copboord Fa ......... 3" Min -ropzoil 8" "imber WqIes T Common 17'11, Sea Z/4 Rod With ZPA2/4" Gotvan'tZeJOSeC Nu+ L9.1 TtG 5hee+ImS FbA5+en Z- (POO Spikes -ale. 0 Each W, fo TYP"ICAL SECTION z &N to aAILV f/a (rm) vo PILE--LAYOUT-. ''i 70* A J`wxl Z4- S-ACCS 01 V-P' f=ILT6V 6LOTH -r@'40 FU" :VIx jo 4@@TClr@ T;Zl MMEL9 r-ov, 7161HT FiT(TYF@ ALL 4OtNm rO,P WALE TO BE 19UMEO 70 FRONTWALL LINER "CAf ',b0A)?rl> EX. &9, '7F11L a. 6&aINO FLANKWALL ELEVATION inize J Tie- NO )- - - T4 0, corn r- 15,40t3rde'. V\1a) e. Fil+ar 61o+h L,A,,T 1,keaT OF T@Cq CHMTIW-i 6j! 6poovC-17 ANC7 Pv-l,4Et4 So 41!,:;, r Fit+'e-r clo+h CWATC- A TY-qHT Frr A6j41N--;,r ED< SHeEMUL AW 2" x 10" 3"x i0o T46, Tj CA rh LO .......... wale,., DeTAiL AT U:N P 1@jjj CONN[@CTION Na t III IM -col 14ALE i V L Vx0")e40' TIM13ER OUTTOLOCK OOLTEP TO 7-Of-WALE W13*-OOLT6 AIVO 3',A-NY,9P WASHER COUNTE95MIX IN WALE AAIP AIUT AND .3",,Y4'NYPV WA-`,He@@ ON eOTTOM -t- A IL BUTT DLOCK Prf @4 BACKFILL o o 0-a CONCRETE PROPOSED BULKHEAD 1,6 to - PROPOSED PIPE. BULKHEAD rill @o In- REINF:ORCEIIENT BARS EXAMPLE PIPE .0% pt BAC).FII:L FILTER CLCTH CC E @j OUTFALL PIPE SLEEVE FlIV16HCP CKAPE FOLYETHYLENE ALE CAP /0% 2040'CAMOARP RwFIN67 -A,-Eg@35MEEN WALEefILE) A!5@ALT 9001'IN6 CEMEW-ATJOINT (1307-H --,UKFACC6) (FILL 0 9MHW 50TIOM L SECTION- Es 3c/f SCAPMARP lar -V 6TRUCURAL WALES it a4Tr4ffR T8 IL .FRONTWALL 2E. ,3"xr," LINER 1011VT6 To FALL OmLy MIPWAY OErYVECH PILE-`5 40"bUTT 5LOCX ----------- A3 calf6P. /3 10' r4 0 f2HEE T/YV47 W FILE ALL Cov5T 60 RUCTIO"V C'xB ALf5-j rill, 171, DA 7'T, F- 9 fl, (X UNLE55 6HOWIV OR-1ERWIAC Ty)plrAL WA DF. T:0AR0.MEr 22e.5122 WEON SDAY OF EACH MONT. ALL ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AT 011,11 COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD OXFORD, MARYLAND 216554 August 26, 1980 Mr. Anthony D. Redman County Planner Talbot County Planning Office County Building Easton, Maryland 21601 Dear Mr. Redman: We are pleased to advise you that we have selected your office to carry out the waterfront planning program for Oxford along the lines described in your proposal. Our thanks to you and Mr. Hutto for your help in organizing the proposal and presenting your ideas to us. Sincerely, COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD ,@James R.M. Farmar President cc. Board of Port Wardens A4-1 TALB01- CC)UNTY PL, N N!',; LA -1- COUR)- H()!-)Sl@ N",' ID REDNIAN EASRDIN, WARVLAND 91()()] Pianner PHONI 30-1-822-2030 Noveii@ber 12, 198-1 Fletcher Hanks, Chairman Oxford Harbor t,`Janagei-,,,emI- Study C01-11,111ittee Oxford Town Office Oxford, MID 21654 Dear Sir: 2 O!"i-11c2nd-ed Oxford Harbor Presented herewi th i s the Fi nal Drd-i"t o -I- t,@je R, C I Management Plan as requested in Appendix "B" (Oxford Harbor Hanaae:-,iPnt . L. Plan - ScOF)e Of W'Ork) of the Third Par-tv Contract (#7-78-440)-81 entered 0 into by iliyself and the County Coun.cil o'f Talbot County on May 25, 1980. This study has been prepared by myself @-,,-.Ith assistance from the Talbot County Planning Office SLaff under the supervision of your commlit'LL'2. I have appreciated the opportunity to work with the Harbor I@Ianago- i-fient Study Commi,"Cee during the last year and hope that this docu!"1.ent will provide you with the, guidance and assistance requested. Si ncerely, kAmes' M. Hutto, Project Planner Oxford Harbor Management Plan encl c. c. Dave Thoiiipson, Town Attorney Anthony D. Redman, County Planner Wi I I iam J I-Iol t, Jr. , Commili ttee Me;l@iber Arthur D. Welton, Com,;',iittee t-leimber Edmund A. Stanley, Jr. , Co!iii-Iii-ttee M,@--Mber A4-2 *YL TALBOT COUNTY PLANNING OFFICE COURTHOUSE ANTHONY D. REDMAN EASTON, MARYLAND 21601 DEBORAH A. SAUER Planner PHONE 301-822-2030 Zoning Administrator February 11, 1982 Town Commissioner Attn: Fletcher Hanks, President Oxford Town Office Oxford MD 21654, Gentlemen: As you may recall, our recent efforts to develop the Recommended Harbor Management Plan for Oxford and Town Creek were funded by contract with the Tidewater Administration within Maryland"s Department of Natural Resources. The Coastal Resources Division staff, within the administration, has reviewed the final draft of the proposed plan and has recently forwarded their comments to me. (See attached). Dr. Sarah Taylor, Director of the Division has requested that staff comments be taken into consideration by those responsible for future implementation of the plan. I have reviewed their comments and feel they are supportive of the Board of Port Wardens work efforts to date. Based on discussions with Jim Hutto and David Thompson it is my understanding that provisions for existing marine facilities are already provided in the pro- posed zoning changes, similar to those recommended in the attached letter. In addition, Corps of Engineers recognition of harborlines, when adopted, should improve future coordination between the Town and Corps, concerning respective permitting functions within Town Creek. If I can be of assistance to you concerning this matter or in other community functions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. Very truly,yours,, TALBOT COUNTY PLANNING OFFICE A:tho;ny@`D' Redman ADR/ic County Planner encl. C.c.Board of Port Wardens David Thompson, Town Attorney Sarah J. Taylor, Ph.D. James Hutto A4-3 JAMES 9. COULTER LOUIS N. PHIPPS. JR. SECRE7ARY DEPUTY SECRETARY STATE OF MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TIDEWATER ADMINISTRATION TAWES STATE OFFICE BUILDING ANNAPOLIS 21401 (301) 269-2784 January 26, 1982 Mr. Tony Redman, Director Talbot County Planning Office. County Office Building Easton, Maryland 21601 RE: Oxford Management Plan Review Dear Tony: We are in receipt of and have reviewed the "Final Draft of the Recommended Oxford Harbor Management Plan.". It is the opinion of the Coastal Resources Division staff responsible for reviewing the plan that the Final Draft adequately addresses key Coastal Zone concerns relating to the development and operation of Town Creek Harbor. In your role as contract manager for this project I am requesting that the following comments be taken into consideration and directed to.those individ- uals. chiefly responsible for implementation of the plan. 1. Recommend ed Zoning changes for Management of Waterfront Structures; pg. IV - 27 section 4; Pre-existing Uses. It is our understanding that the proposed zoning changes will, if accepted, be incorporated into the existing Town zoning ordinance. Not having the opportunity to review the zoning ordinance in its entirety the staff felt that certain provisions should be added in the absence of language specifically relating to procedures for the handling of permit approvals granted prior to the adoption of the proposed zoning changes... Specifically, section 4 should be amended as follows: 4. Pre-existing Uses and Appr ovals: Any marine facilities lawfully existing at the time of the adoption of this Regulation may continue to be used though such marine facility or use does not conform to use or dimensional regulations as herein defined. Any marine facilities lawfully approved prior to the time of adoption of this Regulation, but not constructed at the time of adoption of this Regulation may be constructed according to prior approvals though such marine facility or use does not conform to use or dimensional regulations as herein 'defined. A4-4 Mr. Tony Redman January 26, 1982 Page 2 2.. Recognition of the Plan. Those individuals responsible for imple- mentation of this plan are encouraged to officially recognize the plan by resolution or other similar actions. 3. Harborlines Recognition by Army Corps of Engineers. Those individ- uals responsible for implementation of this plan are encouraged to apprise the Army Corps of Engineers of their intention to adopt harborlines to control waterway construction activities and to request the Corps to formally recognize these harborlines. I would appreciate receiving a copy of any correspondance to the Town of Oxford concerning these comments. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, '-Sarah J. Taylor, Ph.D. Director, Coastal Resources Division .SJT:rrc A4-5 HARBOR MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD ORDINANCE NUMBER 173 INTRODUCED BY: The Commissioners DATE OF INTRODUCTION: April 27, 1982 A BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT, CONTROL AND REGULATION OF CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, NAVIGA- TION, CONGESTION, IN AND AROUND, AND' THE QUALITY OF, THE MUNICIPAL WATERS OF OXFORD, MARYLAND. PREAMBLE AND LEGISLATIVE HISTORY WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Oxford have heard the concerns of the Community for many years with respect to the care, maintenance, and preservation of Town Creek as a useful harbor and a public resource, available to all members of the public; and WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Oxford have heretofore created and appointed a Board of Port Wardens to consider the issuance of permits for the placement and erection of structures within the waters of the municipality; and WHEREAS, in the course of performing their duties, the Port Wardens have developed certain expertise concerning the conditions and problems of the waters within and adjacent to the Town of Oxford; and WHEREAS, the Commissoners of Oxford have appointed the Port Wardens, together with one of the Commissioners as a Harbor Study Committee, to study the various problems and considerations essential to the continued viability of the waters of Oxford and its harbor known as Town Creek as an efficient and attractive harbor in which the interests of all users are considered; and A5-1 WHEREAS, the Harbor Study Committee has commissioned a professional study of Town Creek, together with a survey of said creek; and WHEREAS, the harbor management proposal developed as a result of that study has been made available to the public, and recommendations and comments from the public including numerous riparian owners and users of the water bodies in question have been received and discussed at at least five public meetings called by the Commissioners; and WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Oxford have reviewed and considered the following plans and studies: Recommended Oxford Harbor Management Plan, prepared by James M. Hutto with the participation of the Talbot County Planning Office and the Oxford Harbor Management Study Committee, dated November 12, 1981; and Marinas and Recreational Boating, Talbot County, Maryland, by Anthony D. Redman, County Planner, with the participation of the Talbot County Planning Office; as well as more general sources; and WHEREAS, it has been recommended to the Commissioners, all of whom have life long, first hand experience with the Town of Oxford and its waters and harbor, that regulations be adopted to provide for an orderly and managed approach to development, conversion of existing open space, dredging, filling, and placement of structures, buoys, moorings, and floats in, over and upon the waters of the municipality, in order to facilitate navigation within the harbor, to preserve the quality of water in the harbor, to eliminate unnecessary hazards to the health, safety and welfare of persons and property in, upon, and around the harbor, and to preserve the historical access and navigability of the harbor to sailing craft, to avoid increasing congestion, and to preserve the natural charm and character which the harbor contributes to the quality of -2- life in the Town of Oxford, and to minimize any adverse impact of increasing harbor use upon the land-based facilities of the Town; and WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Oxford find the following: 1. That there are competing interests for use of the resources and benefits provided by the waters in the Town of Oxford and adjacent thereto, including the harbor known as Town Creek; and 2. Boating traffic and recreational boating use of the waters of the municipality are increasing; and 3. That piers and structures have been steadily proliferating into waters previously open to use by all members of the public; and 4. Construction in and around the municipal waters and harbor area without regulations designed to balance the interests of all users of the waters and harbor, and without measures to control and manage the waters and harbor, will tend to reduce the area available for navigation, fishing, and other activities in and upon the water, and will tend to diminish the charm and character of the municipal waters and harbor area which is an integral part of the charm and beauty of the Town of Oxford, and which is essential to the viability of com- merce within the Town; and 5. That increased boat traffic without any measures to control and manage the public waters and related resources within the Town will tend to cause or contribute to pollution of the waters of the mu- nicipality by human and animal waste, petroleum products, chemicals, debris and other foreign matter which will create hazards to animal and plant life, to the health, welfare and safety of the lives -3- and property of residents and visitors to the Town, and to the economic viability of businesses located adjacent to municipal waters; and 6. That the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and visitors to the Town and the continued economic viability of businesses located adjacent to municipal waters are dependent upon high water quality standards in the municipal waters and harbor of the Town; and 7. That the municipal waters and harbor of the Town should remain open to navigation, should be accessible to the residents and visitors of the Town, and should not be unduly congested with marine structures, in order to preserve the charm, character and quality of life in the Town as a residential community, and 8. Whereas, the Maryland Annotated Code, Article 23A, and the Charter of the Town of Oxford empower the Commissioners of Oxford to adopt ordinances which serve the health, safety, and welfare of residents of and visitors to the Town of Oxford. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD, pursuant to the authorities set forth above, as follows: ARTICLE 1, (GENERAL PROVISIONS) SECTION 1: Short Title. This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the "Harbor Management Ordinance." SECTION 2: Background. This Ordinance was passed after full, open and public hearings upon prior notice and opportunity to all interested persons, including riparian property owners, to be heard, and upon the careful con- sideration by the Harbor Study Committee and The Commissioners of Oxford. -4- SECTION 3: Purpose: The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide regulations for the orderly management, development, and control of the waters within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Oxford, and the waters adjacent thereto. It is intended to be consistent with and to supplement the provisions of Ordinance 165, by which the Board of Port Wardens was originally created. This Ordinance is not dependent on Ordinance 165, and is intended to apply independently unless the context of a particular section requires otherwise. This Ordinance is not intended to deprive any riparian landowner of any right or privilege associated with riparian ownership of land or ownership or use of any fixed or permanent structure in the harbor which was lawfully installed and lawfully in use prior to the effective date of this Ordinance. The provisions of this Ordinance do not transfer the title or ownership of any waterway or interest in any waterway. SECTION 4: Applicability: The provisions of this Ordinance and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant hereto shall be applicable, and shall govern, the harbor and waters within the Town of Oxford or adjacent thereto, and all other maritime or marine facilities within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Oxford, or which are otherwise subject to the police power regulations of the Commissioners of the Town of Oxford. SECTION 5: Severability: If any provisions or applications of this Ordinance are held invalid or inoperative, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect as though such invalid or inoperative provisions had not been made, it being the intent of the Commissioners of Oxford that the Ordinance be operative without any invalid provisions or applications, and to that end, each provision of this Ordinance is hereby declared to be independent and severable. -5- SECTION 6: Authority: Whenever, by the provisions of this Ordinance an enforcement power is granted to the Board of Port Wardens or an enforcement duty is imposed upon the Board, the power may be exercised or duty performed by a deputy of the Board of Port Wardens or by any other person authorized pursuant to law, unless it is expressly otherwise provided. ARTICLE II, (DEFINITIONS) SECTION 7: Definitions: For the purpose of this Ordinance, the following words, terms, phrases, and their derivations, shall have the meaning given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future tense, words used in the plural number include the singular number, words used in the singular number include the plural number, and pronouns of any gender shall include all other genders. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory. a. Anchor: To secure a watercraft to the bed of a body of water by dropping an anchor or anchors or with a buoy or other ground tackle. b. Beach: Shall mean a public or private beach, including areas of rip rap, bulkhead, or other material, bordering the waters of the municipality. C. Bulkhead: A structure or partition to retain or prevent sliding of the land into the water, or to protect the fast land from wave or tidal action. d. Channelward: Toward the center of the body of water, river, waterway, creek or cove, or toward any dredged channel therein. e. Distress: Shall mean a state of disability or a present or obviously imminent danger which if unduly prolonged could endanger life or property. f. Emergency: Shall mean a state of imminent or proximate danger to life or property in which time is of the essence. -6- g. Facilities: Shall mean any and all facilities of a harbor or maritime facility either publicly or privately owned that are intended primarily to be used by or for the service of small craft (including ramps, hoists, parking areas, leased water areas, concessions and service facilities) located on land or in the waters of the municipality. h. Fairway: Shall mean the parts of a waterway kept open and un- obstructed for navigation. i. Fishing: The term fishing includes commercial and recreational fishing, crabbing, or otherwise harvesting fin fish, shell fish, or crabs. j. Float: Shall mean any floating structure normally used as a point of transfer for passengers and goods and/or for mooring purposes, but shall not include floats used in the painting and repair of vessels. k. Harbor: All tidal waters within Town Creek which are within the corporate limits of the Town of Oxford, and all waters adjacent thereto. 1. Harbor Line: The line defining the maximum channelward limits for the placement or construction of structures, piles or moorings to be installed or placed in the harbor, which line is shown and delineated on the attached harbor line map. m. Harbormaster: An officer of the Town who enforces the regulations respecting the use of the harbor, the municipal waters and facilities therein, after being appointed by the Commissioners of Oxford. n. Moor: Shall mean to secure a vessel other than by anchoring. 0. Mooring: Shall mean (1) a place where buoyant vessels are secured other than a pier; (2) the equipment used to secure a vessel; and (3) the process of securing the vessel other than by anchoring. -7- p Public Area: Shall mean all areas of the harbor and municipal waters except those areas under specific lease to private persons or firms or owned privately. q. Slip: Shall mean berthing space for a single vessel alongside a pier, finger float, or walkway, or other structure. r. Shore: Shall mean that part of the land in immediate contact with a body of water, including the area between high and low water lines. S. State: Shall mean the State of Maryland. t. Waterway: Shall mean any water area providing access from one place to another, principally a water area providing a regular route for water traffic. U. Waters of the municipality. Means all waters within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Oxford, and all waters in which the tide ebbs and flows adjacent thereto over which the Town of Oxford may exercise zoning or police power authority whether or not the ordinary or mean high tide line has been fixed by ordinance, statute, court action or otherwise and whether or not the lands lying under said tidal water are privately or publicly owned. ARTICLE III, (GENERAL REGULATIONS) SECTION 8: Permits, Suspensions or Revocations: All permits granted by the Board of Port Wardens shall be valid only for such period as may be determined by the Board of Port Wardens and permits of unqualified duration shall not be granted. A violation of the provisions of this Ordinance or of any other applicable Ordinance by any permittee shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of any permit or permits issued by any Town agency, department, board, or official. The Board of Port Wardens shall request comment by the -8- Planning and Zoning Commission concerning zoning requirements applicable to all proposed construction or uses of property within municipal waters. The provisions of Oxford's zoning ordinance shall be taken into account before any permit is issued by the Board of Port Wardens. It shall not be necessary for any applicant to seek a separate building permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. SECTION 9: Damage to Harbor or Other Property: It shall be unlawful to willfully or carelessly destroy, damage, disturb, deface or interfere with any public or municipal property in or adjacent to the waters of the municipality. SECTION 10: Signs, Buoys, and Markers, erection and maintenance: The Board of Port Wardens may place and maintain, or cause to be placed and maintained, either on land or water, such signs, notices, signal buoys, markers, or control devices as they deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this Ordinance, or to secure public safety and the orderly and efficient use of the waters of the municipality, including the designation of anchorage or mooring areas, provided, however, that no public funds shall be expended unless specifically approved by the Commissioners. SECTION 11: Swimming and Water Skiing: Swimming and water skiing in the waters of the municipality may be regulated by the Board of Port Wardens, subject to approval of said regulations by the Commissioners of Oxford. SECTION 12: Structures, Construction of: Within or on the waters of the municipality, no person may place, erect or construct any bulkhead, wharf, or pier, or carry out any earth or other material for the purpose of building a wharf or pier, nor shall any person place or erect mooring piles, floating wharves, buoys, anchors or other obstructions, or carry out any dredging, or -9- alter the natural shoreline, without a valid permit issued by the Board of Port Wardens. The placement, erection, or construction of structures or other barriers within or on the waters of the municipality without a permit from the Port Wardens, or the building of any wharf or pier a greater distance into the waters of the municipality, or in a different form, or of different materials than determined and allowed by the Port Wardens, is a municipal infraction as described in Article 23A, �3, Annotated Code of Maryland. A fine of $100.00 shall be imposed for each conviction for a violation of this section. Each day in violation shall be considered a separate offense and subject to separate citations. A fine of $200.00 shall be imposed for each repeat offense. SECTION 13: In the event that any structure, pile, mooring, float, or other device of a stationary nature, is erected or placed within the waters of the municipality without a permit from the Board of Port Wardens, the Port Wardens may, after reasonable notice, have said structure, pile, mooring, float, or other device removed from the municipal waters. The owner, agent, lessee, or other person, entity, or organization who places or erects any object described herein, or who permits or directs the placement or erection, shall be responsible for the costs of removal. ARTICLE IV, (REGULATIONS CONCERNING ANCHORING, MOORING AND SECURE BERTHING OF VESSELS) SECTION 14: Placement of Moorings: It shall be a municipal infraction with the penalties as set forth in Section 27, to place any mooring in the harbor without a permit from the Board of Port Wardens. -10- SECTION 15: Obstructing Channels: It shall be a municipal infraction with the penalties as set forth in Section 27 knowingly or willfully to obstruct the free use of any channel, fairway, or waterway within the harbor. SECTION 16: Secure Berthing and Anchoring of Vessels: The owner of any vessel moored or anchored within the municipal waters shall be responsible for causing such vessel to be at all times tied and secured or anchored with proper care and equipment and in,such manner as may be required to prevent breakaway and resulting damage. SECTION 17: Unseaworthy Vessels Prohibited in Harbor: A person shall not moor or permit to be moored in any harbor a vessel which is unseaworthy or in a badly deteriorated condition or which is likely to sink or to damage docks, wharves, floats or other vessels or which may become a menace to navigation, except in cases of distress or emergency when reasonable pre- cautions for the safety of the persons and property of others have been taken. SECTION 18: Obstructions of Fairways, Channels or Berthing Spaces and Removal of Sunken Vessels: It shall be a violation of this Ordinance and a municipal infraction as set forth in and with the penalties in Section 27 to tie up or anchor a vessel in the waters of the municipality in such a manner as to obstruct the fairways or channels or to prevent or obstruct the passage of other vessels; or to voluntarily or carelessly sink or allow to be sunk any vessel in any channel, fairway, berthing space; or to float loose timbers, debris, logs or piles in any channel, fairway, or berthing space in such a manner as to impede navigation or cause damage to vessels therein; or to fail to remove any sunken vessel after having been requested to do so by the Board of Port Wardens. _11- ARTICLE V, (SANITATION REGULATIONS) SECTION 19: Discharge of Refuse: It shall be a violation of this Ordinance to discharge or permit the discharge into the waters of the harbor of any refuse or waste matter, petroleum or petroleum matter, paint, varnish or any other noxious chemical or foreign matter of any kind. SECTION 20: Use of Vessel as Abode: Living aboard vessels in the harbor is prohibited except as may be specifically authorized by permit issued by the Board of Port Wardens. In this regard, the Port Wardens shall consider whether there are adequate systems being used for the removal of wastes, refuse and other debris from such a vessel so as to insure that the public waters are protected. An inspection of any such vessel by the Board of Port Wardens or its designee shall be conducted before any permit is issued. If the Port Wardens shall find the systems referred to above to be adequate to protect the public waters, the applicant shall be entitled to a permit which may be renewed every six months. The Port Wardens may establish a reasonable fee for such permits. For the purpose of this section, the term "living aboard" means the use of a vessel as a primary residence or domicile within the waters of the Town of Oxford for a period or periods exceeding in the aggregate sixty days in a year. SECTION 21: Responsibility for Sanitation of Facilities: The Owner and any lessee, agent, manager or person in charge of a facility, beach, or water area owned, controlled or under lease shall at all times maintain the premises under his charge or control in a clean, sanitary condition, free from malodorous materials and accumulations of garbage, refuse, debris, chemicals and any other waste materials. The Board of Port Wardens shall have the authority to enter -12- any facility for purposes of inspection to determine or verify the existence of the conditions described herein. Should the Board of Port Wardens find that any premises are not being maintained free from the conditions described above, the Board may order any owner, lessee, agent, manager or other person in charge of said facility or area to immedately commence and diligently prosecute to completion the necessary correction of the unsanitary condition to the satisfaction of the Board of Port Wardens. Failure to do so with reasonable dispatch after notice shall be a violation of this Ordinance, and the Board of Port Wardens may then cause said condition to be corrected and the cost of such correction shall be charged to said owner, lessee, agent, manager or person in charge, who shall be liable for the payment of such charges. ARTICLE VI, (HARBOR LINE) SECTION 22: Harbor Line: Attached hereto as a part hereof is a harbor line map entitled "Oxford Harbor Line Map," consisting of two sheets, each showing a different part of Town Creek. Said harbor line map, with all notations, dimensions, references, and other data shown thereon is intended to be a part of this Ordinance, and shall be identified by the attestation of the Clerk-Treasurer of Town of Oxford and the signature of the President of the Commissioners. SECTION 23: No structures channelward of harbor line: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, entity, or organization to place any structure, piling, mooring or other device of a stationary nature channelward of the harbor line as shown on the attached map. SECTION 24: No variance from harbor line: In no case shall the Board of Port Wardens issue a permit for the placement or erection of any structure, -13- piling, mooring, or other device of a stationary nature channelward of said harbor line. The location of the harbor line shall not restrict the authority of the Board of Port Wardens to further limit or proscribe the placement or erection of structures, piles and/or moorings, or other devices of a stationary nature, on a case by case basis upon consideration of the factors set forth elsewhere herein or in Ordinance 165 of the Town of Oxford. SECTION 25: Basis of harbor line: The harbor line delineated on the attached map is based upon the location of structures lawfully in existence at the effective date of this ordinance, the configuration of the shoreline, the depth of the water, the traffic frequency and density and potential for con- gestion in the particular part of Town Creek affected by the harbor line, and the need to preserve open space for use by the public generally and for use by the sailing craft historically attracted to Town Creek. In addition, the harbor line is intended to balance the interests of the boating public, fishermen and crabbers, riparian owners, marina and boatyard owners and operators, and residents of and visitors to the Town of Oxford who enjoy access to and use of Town Creek. SECTION 26: Pre-existing structures; grandfather provision: Any structures in existence which are lawfully constructed and in place upon the effective date hereof shall be considered lawful, and may be repaired or replaced within one year after any accidental destruction. Any structures not lawfully constructed or in place at the time of the adoption hereof, or which are more than 50% destroyed and not repaired or replaced within a year, shall conform to the provisions of this Ordinance in all respects. This provision is not intended to prevent routine maintenance or replacement of nonconforming structures. -14- ARTICLE VII, (VIOLATIONS) SECTION 27: Violations (General Penalty): No person, firm, entity or organization shall violate the provisions hereof, nor shall any person, firm, entity or organization knowingly permit a person using its facilities to violate any provision hereof. Violations hereof, including knowingly permitting violations, shall be considered municipal infractions as further defined in Maryland Annotated Code, Art. 23A, �3, and a fine of up to $100.00 shall be imposed for each violation of this Ordinance, unless a more specific penalty is contained in another section hereof. Each day in violation shall be considered a separate offense and subject to a separate citation. A fine of up to $200. 00 shall be imposed for each repeat offense by the same person, firm, entity or organization. Any police officer or Harbormaster of the Town of Oxford may issue citations for violation of this Ordinance. SECTION 28: Violations of Section 9 and 19: Violations of Sections 9 and 19 of this Ordinance shall be misdemeanors. A fine of up to $500. 00 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 90 days shall be imposed for each such violation. SECTION 29: This Ordinance shall be effective upon the date adopted by the Commissioners of Oxford. Read for the second time and passed this 11th day of May, 1982, after a hearing duly advertised on May 5, 1982 and May 6, 1982 in the Star-Democrat, a newspaper circulated generally in the Town of Oxford. -15- I I BY ORDER: I VOTE(Yea/Nea) I FLETCHER HANKS Yea I EMORY BALDERSON Yea I -Yea I G. W. KOUZOULAS 7B/T I I I I I I I h, %I- -16- 11HIIIIIIIIIIN 3 6668 14103 2963 I I , , I - lf . I I I I I I I I I I I I I