Citing safety concerns, the owner of the Conowingo Hydroelectric Station has expanded the boating no-trespassing zone upstream and downstream on the Susquehanna River.

But to help offset that loss, the utility has opened two facilities that had been closed in response to last year's Sept. 11 attacks.

Exelon Generation opened the old Conowingo boat ramp upstream from the dam on the Cecil County side and the Lower Boat Launch downstream near the main entrance to the dam at Shure's Landing on the Harford County side.

"We felt that the additional security allowed us to open those ramps and provide more recreational opportunities," said Ben Armstrong, a spokesman for Exelon.

The new exclusionary zone for boats extends 400 yards upstream and downstream from the dam, an increase of 300 yards, said Armstrong.

"This is permanent," he said. "We conducted a security assessment, and this is the result of that study."

Buoys have been installed across the river to mark the zone, and the utility has posted signs along the shoreline and at a number of area boat launches. Local bait and tackle shops have brochures showing the new zone.

The expanded no-trespassing area does not affect shoreline fishing at Fisherman's Park on the Harford County side of the river below the dam.

The dam catwalk, popular with anglers, will remain closed "indefinitely," Armstrong said.