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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree speaks on Working Waterfront Legislation
Calls working waterfronts "backbone of coastal economies"

For immediate release
June 10, 2009
Contact: Willy Ritch 207-841-8400

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this morning on a bill she has introduced to help preserve working waterfronts in Maine and around the country.

"In Maine and other coastal states, working waterfronts and the jobs they provide are quickly disappearing," she said. "Once these businesses close, once the waterfront stops supporting these businesses, history shows us that they do not come back...We must protect working waterfronts and the jobs they provide."

Below is a release from earlier in the week with additional background information.

New report highlights value of coastal and ocean economy in Maine
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree introduces legislation to protect working waterfronts

For immediate release
June 8, 2009
Contact: Willy Ritch 207-841-8400

A new report released today illustrates the significant role that coastal and ocean-based businesses play in the U.S. economy in general and the Maine economy in particular. The study highlights the importance of a bill recently introduced by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree to protect and support working waterfronts in Maine and around the country.

According to the report, the ocean economy represents a larger share of Maine's economy than almost any other state in the country. Seven percent of all of Maine's total employment is dependent on the ocean economy according to the study-only Alaska and Hawaii get more jobs on a percentage basis from coastal and ocean industries. Maine is also one of the leading states for both military and non-military ship and boat building and the jobs that those industries generate.

Pingree's bill, the "Keep America's Waterfront Act of 2009," (HR 2584) would create a federal grant program to acquire working piers and other points of waterfront access and provide funding for waterfront planning. The program is designed to allow states and local communities to support and protect places along the coast where commercial fishermen, boat builders, excursion and tour boat operators and other small businesses operate.

The report released today, "State of the U.S. Ocean and Coastal Economies, 2009" was co-authored by Charles Colgan, Professor of Public Policy and Management at the Muskie School of USM. Pingree met with Colgan today to discuss the impact that coastal and ocean economies have on Maine and the importance of maintaining a working waterfront.

"It's clear from our report that the ocean and shore economy are critically important to Maine," Colgan said after the meeting. "And protecting our working waterfront is vital-in Maine and across the country--to preserving and creating those jobs that depend on the ocean."

The report can be seen online at noep.mbari.org

ADVISORY : Congresswoman Pingree will speak on the Keep America's Waterfront Act of 2009 on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives tonight between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. (time approximate.)

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