FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2021
CONTACT: Jo Knight, jo@conservefish.org

Rep. Pingree Introduces Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act in 117th Congress

Arlington, VA – Today Rep. Chellie Pingree’s (D-ME), with cosponsor Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), introduced the “Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act.” The bill will establish a $12 million Working Waterfront Grant Program to help preserve and expand access to coastal waters for water-dependent businesses, create a five-year pilot program for a $12 million loan fund for waterfront preservation and establish 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.

Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, released the following statement:

“Representatives Pingree and Wittman are champions for business owners, workers, and coastal communities who depend on vibrant and prosperous working waterfronts. These valuable gateways to our ocean resources support local industries and economies far beyond the dock and provide cultural identities to seaside communities around the nation. The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act addresses the needs of working waterfronts and provides essential funding and resources to improve deteriorating and inadequate coastal infrastructure, as well as confronts the growing threats of climate change. The Marine Fish Conservation Network thanks Representatives Pingree and Wittman for reintroducing the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act and strongly urges the 117th Congress to support this bill through to final passage.”

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The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a coalition of commercial and recreational fishing associations, regional and national conservation groups, aquaria, and marine science organizations committed to sustaining fish populations, healthy marine ecosystems, and robust fishing communities.