The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has completed phasing in new restrictions regarding consumption of alcohol on all public lands, including State Parks and State Forests, as an agency-wide policy. In keeping with department-wide policy, consuming alcoholic beverages on Wildlife Management Areas is not also allowed. DNR reminds campers and outdoor enthusiasts to adhere to the new policies, to help preserve the family friendly atmosphere of those areas.
The new policy has increased safety in Maryland parks and brought the State’s alcohol policy in line with that of parks in neighboring states. Natural Resources Police will continue to focus on educating the public to the new regulations in state forests, as NRP did in State Parks.
“The first phase of the expanded alcohol policy went pretty smoothly. Our visitors accept and understand what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Nita Settina, Maryland Park Service superintendent. “We saw a significant reduction in serious alcohol-related incidents in our picnic areas and beaches; we anticipate the same positive effect in our campgrounds.”
In 2009, DNR worked to inform the public about the new policy — which prohibits the use of alcohol without a permit on Maryland State lands, except in full service cabins — through multi-lingual signs, multi-lingual brochures, notification on DNR’s website, on-site education by Park Rangers and Natural Resources Police, and communication through the reservation service.
With the ultimate goal of maximizing voluntary compliance, Natural Resources Police monitored all park properties with a special focus on day-use areas, campgrounds and other areas where alcoholic beverages had previously been permitted. Officers advised visitors in possession of alcohol outside of permitted areas to remove all alcoholic beverages from the park or to secure them in a locked vehicle. Visitors are allowed to transport unopened alcoholic beverages through a park to areas where alcohol is permitted, such as a boat launch or designated shelter. Park Rangers made those in violation of the policy aware of the new restrictions and requested that they voluntarily comply with the new rules.
The following policy and additional restrictions were phased in over the course of 2009:
Effective March 31, 2009
• The consumption or possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage of any kind was prohibited in all Maryland State Park day-use areas, beach areas and other areas with picnic tables not associated with a designated shelter or campground area, unless an alcohol permit had been issued.
• Alcoholic beverages remained prohibited in youth group camping areas.
• As part of the phased-in policy, alcoholic beverages continued to be permitted in campgrounds, shelters and full service cabins.
• Alcohol permits were issued upon request by the park manager for special events operating under a use agreement.
Effective November 1, 2009
• The consumption or possession of an open container of any alcoholic beverage is now prohibited in all Maryland State Park areas and public lands, INCLUDING STATE FORESTS, with the exception of full-service cabins, unless an alcohol permit has been issued.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in State Park and State Forest campgrounds and at non-designated shelters.
• Alcohol permits will only be issued through a reservation for a designated shelter or o