Quantico, Va. –– Boaters keep away from Quantico Marine Corps Base.
New restrictions will go into effect March 7 along the Potomac River that will effectively bar any boat from coming within 500 feet of the base’s shoreline.
Base officials say the restriction will be put in place to protect military assets and for the safety of boaters who could be in the wake of jets taking off and landing from Quantico’s air facility, base spokesman Lt. Brian Villard stated in an email.
The restrictions will extend from the marsh at the Marine Corps Air Facility to the mouth of the Chopawamsic Creek, including Chopawamsic Island.
Commercial fishermen will still be able to fish in the creek, but will have to obtain a special permit to do so. Officials are still working on establishing those permits, stated Villard.
The new restricted areas will be marked by buoys and warning signs that will all be placed within 500 feet of each other. Reflective, floating barriers will also be strung across the entrance to the Chopawamsic Creek channel from the Potomac River to the CSX rail bridge.
Military police will enforce the restrictions at all times, stated Villard.
Base officials say few boaters use the waters off the base, and noted the base took public comments about the restrictions between Sept. 3 and Oct. 5 and received few comments about the then proposed restrictions.
