Md. state parks banning alcohol without permit

By the Associated Press

"Drinking without a $35 group permit will be banned March 31 in day-use areas and Nov. 1 in campgrounds and shelters, the Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday. After that, consuming alcohol anywhere in the 65 parks except in full-service cabins, recreational vehicles or at the Rocky Gap Lodge will be outlawed and punishable by a $55 fine..."

"The new rules will bring Maryland's alcohol policy in line with those in neighboring Pennsylvania and Virginia, where booze is similarly banned. Border states Delaware and West Virginia prohibit alcohol consumption in some of their parks."

"The most recent survey of state park alcohol policies conducted by the National Association of State Park Directors in 2004 found that at least 12 states prohibited alcohol consumption in parks, Executive Director Philip K. McKnelly said..."

Full article available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/17/AR200903...