Port of Deposit State Historical Park - Size and Scope

SB 477 reduces the size of Port of Deposit State Historical Park from 120-150 acres to 12-19 acres, focusing on specific sites including the Snow Hill archaeological site and a wooded conservation area. It extends the deadline for the Bainbridge Development Corporation to transfer qualifying property to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources from June 2025 to June 2026 and requires the Department to establish a stakeholder advisory committee with representatives from Cecil County government, the NAACP, historical societies, and cultural institutions. The bill also modifies funding use, directing $400,000 for a Phase 1 archaeological survey of the Tome School and Snow Hill sites. These changes directly affect Cecil County stakeholders, the Bainbridge Development Corporation, and the Department of Natural Resources in managing the park’s boundaries and preservation efforts.