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NOTE: Two audio cuts from CongresswomanPingree's testimony attached.

Broadcast quality video of Congresswoman Pingree's testimony is available here:

http://video.house.gov/cao/hrs/RepPingree.html

Congress holds hearing on working waterfront bill
Rep. Chellie Pingree's legislation would helpcommunities in Maine and other coastal states retain water access

October 20, 2009
For immediate release
Contact: Willy Ritch 207-841-8400

At a hearing on Capital Hill today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree testifiedbefore the House Natural Resources Committee, talking about the threats toworking waterfronts in Maine.

"The pressures facing working waterfronts arereal and I have seen these pressures first hand," Pingree said. "We arenot doing enough. We need a federal grants program to help states. Many states have already recognized the need to protect workingwaterfronts and now it is time for the federal government to recognize themtoo."

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

BoatU.S., which represents 600,000 boaters around the country, told Pingreethat the program outlined in her bill "would be an extremely positive step inpreserving access and facilities for recreational boaters and anglers." The Conservation Law Foundation said the bill would "preserve andenhance the unique character, culture and economy of our nation's coastalcommunities." And the National Marine Manufactures Association said thelegislation "would ensure the economic health of waterfront communities throughthe protection, preservation and expansion of the nation's workingwaterfronts."
Highlighting successes of a pilot program in Maine, Jennifer Litteral, directorof marine programs for the Island Institute in Rockland, Maine, also testifiedin support of the bill.

"We feel that creating a model from this (pilot program) at the federal levelwill go a long way towards sustaining coastal resilience," Litteral said in herprepared testimony, "and the future of our nation's iconic centuries-oldtradition of working and living by the sea."

Writing in the New York Post about Pingree's bill, columnist Ken Moran talkedabout the threat to working waterfronts: "Even in this slow economy,developers eye waterfront parcels and water-dependent businesses such asmarinas, boat yards, commercial fishing operations and boat builders, and turnthem into high-end residential communities." ( http://tiny.cc/jGSaj <http://tiny.cc/jGSaj> )

Background statistics:

· Maine's coastline is over 3500 miles long, yet lessthen 20 miles support working waterfronts. These 20 miles support morethan 35,000 jobs and bring in hundreds of millions of dollars.

· The lobster industry has $250 million worth oflandings and indirectly contributes nearly $1 billion to Maine's economy.

· Maine's total economy is valued at $48 billion(estimated 2007 GDP). Maine's coastal economy is valued at $29billion-nearly 60% of the total economy.

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