Last chance offered by Montgomery County to reopen White’s Ferry operations

On Friday, April 11, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich notified Chuck Kuhn of Potomac Crossing, LLC, and Libby Devlin of Rockland Farm, LLC, that $3 million has been approved to support the effort to restore White’s Ferry operations. The funding would come equally from the Maryland General Assembly and the County’s proposed Capital Improvement FY26 Plan, with each contributing $1.5 million, “in hopes that it will incentivize a compromise,” wrote Elrich.

“These funds are available for your use as the maximum public subsidy to structure a business arrangement between the two of you that results in the resumption of ferry service.”

White’s Ferry ceased operations in December 2020. Although both property owners have expressed interest in resuming service, negotiations between Kuhn and Devlin to resolve the underlying dispute have been unsuccessful. Kuhn has maintained a longstanding offer to donate the White’s Ferry business operation and equipment.

White’s Ferry links Poolesville, Maryland and Loudoun County. Before it ceased operations, the ferry transported an estimated 600 to 800 vehicles across the Potomac River each day and served as a vital commuter link between Maryland and Virginia.

The parties involved have until July 1, 2026 to come to an agreement.

On April 14, Kuhn wrote, “JKLH was very surprised and disappointed to learn that Montgomery County has decided against accepting its long-standing offer to donate the White’s Ferry business operation and equipment. The donation had been accepted verbally, and plans were moving forward—to the point that ferry staff were given generous severance packages and introduced to the county for potential re-employment.

“The whole goal in offering to donate the operation to Montgomery County last April was to get it open in the most expeditious manner possible.  In fact, that was the goal when JKLH and the Kuhn family originally purchased the defunct ferry in 2021. They recognize that this special crossing serves as an important local economic engine and piece of history.

“In terms of the county executive’s unexpected and unsolicited $3 million proposal, JKLH has never asked for or expected any funds from the taxpayers of Montgomery County.

“At this point, JKLH is reviewing the proposal, and speaking again with Montgomery County and Loudoun County officials and Rockland Farm. Despite this major setback, JKLH remains committed to finding a resolution that will get the crossing open as soon as possible, but the hurdles are now much higher as zoning regulations on the Virginia side have recently changed,” concluded Kuhn.

Kuhn has worked closely since 2021 with the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Montgomery and Loudoun Counties—including their economic development authorities and transportation departments to develop a proposal to reopen and operate the ferry.

On April 11, Elrich wrote that he is “proposing a financial incentive for the two of you to work together to get the ferry running again as a final measure to resolve this matter.” Contingent on approval and appropriation, “the funds may be used for property rights, equipment purchase, or other capital investment needed for the ferry,” wrote Elrich.

Elrich noted that currently Virginia’s zoning regulations have changed and “will likely prevent this from moving forward without significant and lengthy efforts to modify them.”

“I hope the $3 million of public funds sufficiently incentivizes you to come to an agreement and I encourage you to meet as soon as possible,” wrote Elrich. “If helpful, our Department of Transportation remains available to assist you until July 1, 2026. They are available to provide technical assistance and facilitation services that may be needed.

“By working collaboratively, you can greatly impact the regional connectivity and vitality that White’s Ferry has historically fostered, and that impacts so many regional travelers. It will require both sides to be flexible.”

In a statement Libby Devlin of Rockland Farm, LLC wrote, “Rockland Farm is grateful to the town of Poolesville and the State of Maryland for coming forth with this incentive to restart ferry services. We also thank Montgomery County for facilitating this arrangement and for their offer of continued assistance to resolve the matter. Given this new incentive, I am hopeful that we will come up with a fair arrangement which gets a ferry running as soon as possible.

“I expect to continue discussions with the Maryland owner, Montgomery County and Loudoun County to resolve the matter.”

This article has been updated to include a quote from Libby Devlin of Rockland Farm, LLC.