American Legion Post 91 makes case for putting new fishing pier on other side of Route 50

CAMBRIDGE — American Legion Post 91 Commander-elect Rich Colburn urged Cambridge City Council to encourage the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to build a new fishing pier in a different location from the Cambridge pier that was closed in December 2021.

"We think it's very meaningful that we have this conversation regarding a new fishing pier and the demolition of the other two," the former Maryland senator said on behalf of the American Legion at the council meeting July 8.

In 2021, the Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park piers — one on the Talbot County side of the Choptank River and one on the Dorchester County side — were closed due to structural safety concerns. According to previous Star Democrat reporting, an underwater inspection in February 2022 revealed crumbling concrete in many areas of the structure below the water's surface.

At the July 8 meeting, Colburn told the council that there are three possibilities when it comes to locations for a new fishing pier — in Talbot County or on either side of Route 50 on the drive into Cambridge across the Frederick C. Malkus Bridge.

Colburn said the current location of the Dorchester County pier, which is next to the American Legion on Route 50, is "probably the worst possible site." He said Post 91 thinks the Dorchester County Visitor Center side is the "ideal" spot in the county.

"But the Legion site has about 12 parking spots," he said. "It's like a little matchbox."

Colburn said that Post 91 and residents in the neighborhood have had to get cars towed away and signage put up.

"I think it was a burden on your police department," he said.

The American Legion has been unsuccessful in trying to get DNR to lease the old fishing pier parking lot to them.

Colburn called it "odd" that DNR hasn't directly contacted Post 91 about potential plans for a new fishing pier due to the post's proximity to the possible new locations.

"We're very distraught that DNR doesn't seem to communicate with us," he said. "But we think they will with the city and the county, particularly if you join together at a site that you both like."

In June, Gregg Bortz, media relations manager for DNR, said in an email to the Star Democrat that the department is working with both counties, as well as the Cambridge, to find “the best option for access” to the Choptank. He said the department is considering a few sites “in the general vicinity of the current pier.”

Bortz said after this process is complete, DNR plans to move forward with creating that access.

At the council meeting, Commissioner Brian Roche told Colburn that, to his knowledge, the city hasn't received any communication from DNR regarding the pier. He said he was invited to one meeting with DNR as a ward representative and, at that time, DNR said it only had money to demolish the pier.

"So it's news to me, and I think it's probably news to the rest of the commission, if there's been any forward movement on this," he said.

Commissioner Laurel Atkiss said having a conversation about the fishing pier is important.

"I mean we were built on the river for a reason," she said. "There are people in this city that live off of what they can catch. I think it's something very important that needs to be discussed."

Colburn said the American Legion is in support of a new fishing pier.

"We just think if hundreds of thousands of dollars are going to be spent with demolition and construction of the new fishing piers, they ought to be put in proper spots," he said.