FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2021
CONTACT: Jo Knight, jo@conservefish.org

Arlington, VA – Today the U.S. Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on Rep. Chellie Pingree’s (D-ME)‘s “Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act,” H.R. 3160. 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:

“The Marine Fish Conservation Network thanks the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee for holding a hearing on H.R. 3160 and Representative Chellie Pingree for speaking about the importance of working waterfronts. The Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act bill is a crucial piece of legislation for providing funding and other essential resources to improve waterfront infrastructure and create a more climate-resilient future for our coastal communities. Network supports the passage of H.R. 3160 and hopes it will be included as part of Congress’ efforts to bolster our nation’s infrastructure.

“We commend Rep. Pingree, along with the bill’s cosponsors, Representatives Wittman, Huffman, Kilmer, Luria, Carbajal, Pallone, and Keating, for their support of coastal communities, businesses, and workers whose livelihoods depend on waterfront access to oceans and fisheries.”

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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.