Lead cosponsors Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Rep. Robert Whittman (R-VA) introduced the “Keep America’s Working Waterfronts Working Act” (H.R. 3596) on June 28, 2019.

The bill recognizes that water-dependent activities are the economic and cultural heart of coastal communities. Working waterfronts around the U.S. face many challenges from coastal development to rising sea levels to extreme weather events. The Network supports H.R. 3596, which would establish a Working Waterfront Task Force and a grant program to help address some of the many threats facing coastal businesses and industries.