According to collectible National Park Service data and local records, 36 horses have been killed by drivers on Assateague Island since 1982, with an additional 17 suffering severe injuries. These tragic, preventable losses include named and beloved members of the herd including, but not limited to:

- Sir Gruff: An 18-year-old bay stallion struck and killed in 2018 on the Route 611 causeway. 

-Connie’s Girl: A chestnut mare hit and killed by a park vehicle in 2019.

- Moonshadow: A 4-year-old mare killed in a July 2021 hit-and-run incident near Oceanside Campground.  

- Gizmo: A 16-year-old bay mare killed in August 2025 on Bayberry Drive.

- Miracle: A young filly hit and injured in July 2026.

- Dune Dancer Jolt: A 3-year-old stallion killed in August 2026 by vehicle collision.

-Adriana’s Yankee Prince: 2-year-old stallion was struck by a driver August 15, 2018 and succumbed to his injuries a few days later. 

- Susi Solé: Hit in a devastating incident on August 13,  2026.

PETITION FOR THE ADOPTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS

(Pursuant to Md. Code Ann., State Gov’t § 10-123 and COMAR 34.01.01.01)

TO:

Secretary of Natural Resources

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Tawes State Office Building, C-4

580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401

Director, Maryland Park Service

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Tawes State Office Building, E-3 
580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401

CC:

Park Manager, Assateague State Park 
7307 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, MD 21811

IN THE MATTER OF:

Amending Regulations to Reduce Speed Limits from 25 MPH to 15 MPH within Assateague State Park Boundaries.

I. STATEMENT OF PROPOSED REGULATION:

The Undersigned Petitioners formally request that the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Maryland Park Service promulgate administrative amendments to COMAR 08.07.06 (Use of State Parks) to:

Formally lower the posted speed limit from the current 25 miles per hour (mph) to a maximum of 15 mph across all roadways, access roads, and parking corridors within the jurisdictional  boundaries of Assateague State Park.

II. STATUTORY AND REGULATORY AUTHORITY

This petition is submitted pursuant to:

• Md. Code Ann., State Gov’t § 10-123: Right of an interested person or group of persons to petition a unit of State government for the adoption or amendment of a regulation.

• Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-209: Authority of the Secretary of Natural Resources to promulgate rules and regulations for the operation, safety, and protection of State parks and wildlife resources.

III. STATEMENT OF REASONS AND SUPPORTING DATA:

1. 52% Total Stopping Distance Reduction: According to standard traffic engineering metrics (AASHTO / FHWA Stopping Sight Distance Formula), total stopping distance—accounting for driver reaction time and braking distance—drops from ~57.5 feet at 25 MPH to ~27.5 feet at 15 MPH. This ~30-foot reduction provides drivers the critical reaction time needed to stop when wild horses step onto the roadway.

2. 64% Kinetic Energy Reduction: Based on the fundamental law of kinetic energy ($E _k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$), dropping velocity from 25 MPH to 15 MPH yields a 64% decrease in impact force, converting what would be fatal blunt-force trauma into survivable incidents for wild horses.

3. Protection of State Wildlife Assets: The free-roaming horses on Assateague Island represent a unique cultural, ecological, and economic resource for the State of Maryland. Vehicle strikes remain the primary cause of preventable mortality and severe injury to the herds.

4. Consistency Across Jurisdictions: Synchronizing state park speed thresholds with lower speed limits on adjacent federal lands ensures consistent driver compliance across the boundary line between Assateague State Park and the Assateague Island National Seashore.

IV. RELIEF REQUESTED:

The Undersigned Petitioners respectfully request that the Department:

1. Initiate formal rulemaking procedures pursuant to Md. Code, State Gov’t § 10-123 within 60 days of receipt of this petition to amend speed regulations from 25 mph to 15 mph.

2. Publish the proposed speed reduction in the Maryland Register for public comment.

Respectfully, 

The Undersigned

PSA: I will be organizing petition days to visit various areas around Baltimore and Ocean City for public in-person petition signings. We need real life signatures to actually make a difference here. I expect opportunities to meet you all and get your signature on a real piece of paper.