The legislation is supported by: The National Working Waterfront Network, East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, The Conservation Fund, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, Island Institute, Maine Department of Marine Resources, Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Fishing Communities Coalition, Conservation Law Foundation Maine, The Marine Fish Conservation Network, The New England Young Fishermen's Alliance, The Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County in Washington state, Friends of Casco Bay, Sea Meadows Marine, and Chris Warner –Shellfish harvester, oyster farmer, and realtor.
"Heightened demands on working waterfronts in the last decade bring into sharp focus the need for federal legislation such as the 'Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act.' US coastal communities are grappling with the development of offshore renewable energy, the impacts of climate change on coastal property and fishery resources, aquaculture siting, and other pressing issues. The proposed legislation includes important stepping stones to support our working waterfronts with the designation of a task force to oversee the preparation of waterfront plans making coastal communities eligible for federal funding. These are critical efforts to ensure the economic and social health of our working waterfront communities." –Kristin Uiterwyk, Chair ofThe National Working Waterfront Network, a nationwide network of businesses, industry associations, nonprofits, local governments and communities, state and federal agencies, universities, Sea Grant programs, and individuals dedicated to supporting, preserving, and enhancing our nation’s working waterfronts and waterways.
“The East Coast Shellfish Growers Association enthusiastically supports this bill because we can't farm shellfish if we can't find convenient locations to land our crops and affordable dock space for our work boats. As more and more marinas are being gentrified for recreational boaters, it is getting harder for working boats to compete for space and access.” – Bob Rheault, Executive Director, East Coast Shellfish Growers Association
“Working waterfronts are the economic hub of the blue economy that is critical to sustaining coastal communities and their connection to natural resources. We applaud Rep. Pingree for her reintroduction of the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act. These efforts bring needed resources to protect these sites that are so vulnerable to conversion and climate change.” Tom Duffus, The Conservation Fund, Vice President, Northeast Rep. and Maine State Director
"Thank you to Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) for spearheading the reintroduction of the Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act, important legislation that maintains the use of waterfront property for docks and marinas and protects recreational boating and angling access,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “The outdoor recreation industry contributes more than $1 trillion to our nation’s economy, and the recreational boating and fishing industry is proud to be a leader among the U.S. outdoor economy. Recreational access is the economic and cultural lifeblood in countless coastal communities across the country, and this legislation would protect the waterfront jobs and businesses that are integral to facilitating coastal-based tourism and recreation.”
"Working waterfronts are a crucial part of our local food infrastructure and we are in desperate need of resources to help update, innovate, and preserve fishing and seafood access to our oceans. Investing in our working waterfronts is crucial to keeping seafood local, fishing families anchored close to home, and protecting the very soul of coastal communities that fishing has been a part of for generations." – Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
“Working waterfronts play a critical role in supporting Maine’s coastal communities, today and in the future. From climate change and global market disruption to the changing nature of coastal communities, working waterfront businesses need additional resources to meet these challenges. Representative Pingree’s long time dedication to these vital assets fuels Maine’s ability to address the tough challenges facing coastal communities.” Kimberly Hamilton, PhD, President, Island Institute
"I applaud Representative Pingree’s reintroduction of the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act. The Act would greatly enhance Maine’s thirty-year-old Working Waterfront Access Protection Program that has safeguarded commercial fishing and aquaculture access at 29 working waterfront properties. With this proposed program, Maine DMR could support more projects that protect commercial access and help harvesters, boatbuilders and other water-dependent businesses to invest in infrastructure and dockside facilities." – Commissioner Pat Keliher, Maine Department of Marine Resources
“Lobstering is the backbone of our coastal communities, yet only about 20 miles of our roughly 5,000 mile coastline is reserved for the working waterfront. Lobstermen could not make a living from the sea if they aren’t able to get to it,” said Patrice McCarron, Policy Director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. “The economic pressure on what little working waterfront remains continues to increase. The Maine Lobstermen’s Association commends Representative Pingree for her steadfast commitment to protecting working waterfront to ensure access for fishermen and preserving the unique character of our fishing communities.”
"The Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act includes creative approaches to preserve the infrastructure that community-based commercial fisheries across the country depend on. The bill's sponsors are advancing intelligent investments in working waterfronts to harden up to threats like gentrification and climate change. The members of the Fishing Communities Coalition applaud and thank Rep. Pingree and Rep. Wittman for introducing this important bill."
“New England’s coastal communities are on the frontlines of climate change. This bill is a step toward keeping Maine’s waterfront economy and culture alive. We appreciate Rep. Pingree’s leadership on this important issue.” – Sean Mahoney, Executive Vice President and Director of Conservation Law Foundation Maine.
“Representatives Pingree’s and Wittman’s legislation addresses the needs of our nation’s vulnerable working waterfronts and coastal fishing communities while supporting our blue economy nationwide. Through a grant program and a loan preservation fund, the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act provides necessary resources up to $50 million for restoring and maintaining waterfront infrastructure and ensuring waterfront access for commercial businesses, recreation, and tourism. This bill also takes steps to ensure participation from Indigenous peoples recognizing traditional uses of coastal and ocean resources. The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act would provide significant benefits to coastal communities, local jobs, and regional economies by supporting the people who depend on ocean access for their livelihoods. The Marine Fish Conservation Network thanks both Reps. Pingree and Wittman and looks forward to working with them to help this bill become law.”
"We are on the front lines here in the northwest corner of Washington state, trying to keep and enhance our working waterfront and its various maritime sector industries and organizations. The Coalition has 140 plus member companies, organizations, commercial fishing boats, and individuals. This Act would certainly provide some of the resources we need to continue to keep our 'Waterfront Working'!" – The Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County in Washington state
“We support the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act. As a nonprofit dedicated to improving and protecting the health of Casco Bay, Friends of Casco Bay understands that globally we must reduce the causes of climate change, and locally we must find solutions to the inevitable consequences of our climate crisis. The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act, properly supports and funds localized solutions that can help keep Maine’s marine waters and economy healthy and vital.” –Ivy Frignoca, Casco Baykeeper, Friends of Casco Bay
The Maine Marine Trades Association is pleased to offer strong support for the "Keep America's Working Waterfronts Act." In recent years the Bureau of Economic Analysis data shows that recreational boating and fishing make up the largest percentage of value added to the Maine economy compared to all other outdoor recreation activities. Furthermore the infrastructure and access points at boatyards and marinas support both recreational and commercial boating needs. Our marine businesses could definitely benefit from grant and loan programs to keep up with environmental resilience, adaptation, and infrastructure improvement needs. Also, any investment and support can help these businesses avoid selling critical water access points to other types of development.
“As a wild shellfish harvester and oyster farmer, preserving shore access and working waterfront is necessary to provide for my family. The funding programs in this bill will help maintain this privilege for future generations through preserving low-impact access to intertidal marine resources and coastal waters.” Chris Warner –Shellfish harvester, oyster farmer, and Realtor®
"Resilient, vibrant working waterfronts are key to Maine’s economic future and essential to the innovations Bigelow Laboratory is bringing to bear through its global ocean research. This legislation will help communities along our nation’s coastline thrive despite the big challenges posed by climate change. Enhancing and modernizing waterfront infrastructure will sustain jobs and create new business and employment opportunities centered on blue economy innovation." - Dr. Deborah Bronk, President & CEO of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
