U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) have once again reintroduced the bipartisan Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act, H.R. 1808.
“The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act is welcomed legislation for restoring and maintaining waterfront infrastructure and ensuring ocean access for commercial businesses, recreation, tourism, and traditional uses,” said MFCN Executive Director Robert Vandermark. “This bill seeks to preserve and expand waterfront access for all ocean users, as well as identify and prioritize the needs of working waterfronts in the face of threats, such as climate change, that could have lasting impacts on coastal communities, local jobs, and regional economies. The Marine Fish Conservation Network thanks Reps. Pingree and Wittman for supporting the people and communities across our nation who depend on accessible ocean resources and thriving working waterfronts.”
The legislation establishes a Working Waterfront Grant Program to help preserve and expand access to coastal waters for water-dependent businesses, creates a Working Waterfronts Preservation Loan Fund to make funds available through state governments for working waterfront improvement projects, and establishes a Working Waterfront Task Force at the Department of Commerce to identify and prioritize critical needs for working waterfronts and to address the impacts of climate change.
“Across the country, our working waterfronts are rapidly disappearing, including right here in Maine, where only about 20 miles of my state’s 5,000 miles of coastline are still dedicated to ocean commerce,” Congresswoman Pingree said. “Between increasing development pressures and the significant threats posed by climate change—as we experienced firsthand during last year’s unprecedented winter storms—America’s coastal communities are struggling to hang on. Our goal with this legislation is to bring real, lasting investments to our country’s working waterfronts: protecting jobs, strengthening infrastructure, improving public access, and encouraging greater climate resiliency. Working waterfronts are an integral part of Maine’s economy and heritage, and I remain wholeheartedly committed to ensuring our coastal communities and businesses have the resources they need not just to survive, but truly thrive in the 21st Century.”
The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act addresses the needs of our nation’s vulnerable working waterfronts and coastal fishing communities while supporting our blue economy nationwide and providing an avenue to bring healthy, sustainable seafood to millions of American families. It provides necessary resources 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.
“Deteriorating waterfronts don’t just weaken our economy—they erode the heart of our communities, especially in Virginia’s First District,” said Congressman Wittman. “Working waterfronts support businesses, provide access to water, drive economic vitality, and enhance our quality of life. Yet, rising pressure from population growth and development threatens to displace Virginia’s water-dependent industries and the families who have deep cultural and historical ties to these areas. That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act to safeguard the character of our coastal communities by protecting jobs, preserving commercial activities, and ensuring public access to our nation’s shores.”
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.
Besides Reps. Pingree and Wittman, the legislation was co-sponsored by Reps. Jared F. Golden [D-ME], Scott H Peters [D-CA], Paul Tonko [D-NY], Salud O. Carbajal [D-CA], Seth Magaziner [D-RI], Jill N. Tokuda [D-HI], Shontell M. Brown [D-OH], Troy A. Carter [D-LA], and Gabe Amo [D-RI].
Some details from Rep. Pingree’s website:
The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act:
- Establishes a Working Waterfronts Grant Program to provide matching, competitive grants to coastal states, Tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations to help preserve and expand access to coastal waters for water-dependent businesses.
- Creates a revolving loan fund for working waterfronts preservation, modeled after state drinking water loans.
- Authorizes $50 million each for both the loan and grant programs.
- Organizes a Working Waterfronts Task Force at the Department of Commerce to identify and prioritize critical needs for working waterfronts, especially in the face of the climate crisis and increased trade threats.
- This bill would enable coastal states, Tribes, and communities to determine what kinds of working waterfront projects are most important to them. States with approved working waterfront plans would be eligible to apply for both grants and loans, which they could then allocate to local governments, agencies, and nonprofits.
Read additional statements in support of the bill
Take action: Now would be a good time to contact your representative and ask them to cosponsor the bipartisan Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act, H.R. 1808.
