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Md. Seeks To Quiet Speed Boats In 2 Popular Areas

ELKTON, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking tighter restrictions on speed boat noise in two popular boating areas.

The agency is holding a hearing Tuesday night in Elkton on boat noise levels in the northeastern Chesapeake Bay.

It will hold another hearing Thursday at Deep Creek Lake State Park regarding noise levels on that western Maryland lake.

DNR officials say the two areas account for more than half of the state's boat-noise complaints.

The limit in both areas would be reduced from the existing statewide standard of 90 decibels to 88 decibels for engines made after January 1993. Older boats would still be subject to the 90-decibel rule.

Another proposed regulation would prohibit cut-off switches that bypass or reduce the effectiveness of exhaust-pipe mufflers.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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