The Annapolis Environmental Matters Committee on Oct. 9 voted to recommend Resolution R40‑25, a draft equitable public water access plan that combines about two dozen capital projects with policy recommendations to guide future shoreline access and improvements.

The plan “is more than just physical improvements,” Eric Leshinski, chief of comprehensive planning, told the committee, saying there are “probably historically high number of public water access improvement projects in the CIP currently” and that “there's a lot already underway, that are in this plan, this draft plan.”

Why it matters: Committee members said the plan could standardize how the city prioritizes and records public water access when reviewing developments and plats, and help ensure accessibility for people who otherwise lack safe ways to reach the water.

During the discussion, members raised local water‑quality concerns. Alderman Savage asked directly about elevated E. coli counts in the headwaters of Spot Creek and Back Creek and asked, “where is the E. Coli coming from? If it’s not coming from sewer leaks ... maybe there's some coming off the street. But the only other possible culprit that I can think of is boaters pumping overboard.”

Deputy City Manager Jackie Guile told the committee that the city does not perform routine water testing of creeks and that outside groups do that work. “We don't do, you know, water testing of our creeks. You know, Spaw Creek Conservancy does that,” Guile said, and staff noted the committee will invite the Spot Creek Conservancy to present monitoring data in January or February.

Staff and members emphasized the plan distinguishes places where the city should encourage more physical access — typically areas with stronger water circulation — from shallow, stagnant headwaters where bacterial counts rise after rain and where the plan does not promote new access.

Committee members also proposed and the committee adopted amendments to increase emphasis on the Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) facility and on signage to explain access points and services. Committee members and staff said there were no staff concerns with the proposed amendments.

Action taken: A motion to recommend R40‑25 as amended passed on a voice vote. The record does not list the mover and seconder; the committee vote was recorded as unanimous (“Aye”). Staff noted next steps include preparing the resolution as amended for full council consideration and coordinating signage design work tied to the capital program.

Staff follow‑ups and implementation details highlighted in the meeting included:
- The draft plan includes roughly 26 projects already in the Capital Improvement Program, ranging from large investments at Cars Beach and Hawkins Cove to smaller neighborhood sites.
- Staff will invite the Spot Creek Conservancy to present water‑quality sampling and explore DNA testing being coordinated with a local university to pinpoint sources of bacteria.
- A signage initiative tied to the CIP will begin rolling out before the end of the year, with new, smaller signs designed to convey updated information about waterfront access.
- Policy items flagged for future action include making water‑access recommendations explicit in plats and major site‑plan reviews and considering whether adequate‑public‑facilities requirements should address waterfront recreation components.

What the committee did not do: The committee did not propose closing or limiting access because of current water‑quality readings. Members repeatedly framed water‑quality testing as a separate technical issue to be addressed through data collection and interagency work rather than a reason to halt access projects already underway.

Next steps: The committee's favorable recommendation forwards R40‑25 to the full City Council. Staff will schedule the Spot Creek Conservancy presentation in early 2026, continue CIP project work, and begin the signage rollout.