By Tyler Jones
Public Information Officer
Coastal Resources Division

A stakeholder committee of coastal residents, environmental nonprofits, dock builders, and academics began its work recently to make recommendations regarding new rules for private recreational docks. 

The Private Dock Stakeholder Committee’s 12 members met July 30 to start the process of making recommendations for new regulations governing the construction, maintenance, and modification of private docks on state-owned tidal water bottoms. These proposals will aim to ensure the protection of coastal marshlands and tidewaters while providing reasonable access to waterfront property owners.

The proposal follows the expiration of a programmatic general permit (PGP0083) in July 2022, previously issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The permit had allowed CRD to issue dock permits on behalf of the Corps. With the permit no longer in effect, applicants now need separate authorizations from both the Corps and the state. The new proposed rules will seek to codify the standards from the expired permit, clarifying the expectations for dock construction and maintenance.

“The goal of this stakeholder committee is to have input from a broad range of constituencies,” said Doug Haymans, director of CRD. “The ultimate goal is to come up with a proposal that will help the Board of Natural Resources set clear, consistent guidelines for private recreational dock construction going forward.”