December 1, 2011 -- Working waterfronts, those parts
of town at the water's edge dotted with marine-dependent businesses
like marinas, boatyards and haul-out facilities, are crucial to
recreational boating. However, in some places they are struggling as
municipalities grapple with development pressures and poor planning and
that's why Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine has introduced the "Keep
America's Waterfront Working Act of 2011" (H.R. 3109) in Congress.
BoatUS is urging boaters to ask their Congressional representatives to
sign-on as co-sponsors of the bill.
"Boaters rely on such small businesses to provide critical access to
the water and essential services for their vessels and families," said
BoatUS Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs Ryck Lydecker. "If
Rep. Pingree's bill passes, it would be an extremely positive step in
preserving access, facilities and services for recreational boaters and
anglers."
The waterfront is an economic engine and job provider for many
communities, and H.R. 3109 would help states develop tools to preserve
sites for water-dependent commercial activities. The bill is nearly
identical to one that Pingree introduced in 2009. Grants would allow
coastal states and communities to support and protect places where
boatyards, marinas and other service providers do business, as well as
boat builders, commercial fishermen, fishing charter and tour boat
operators, and other water-dependent businesses. For example, working
boatyards and other points of waterfront access at risk of conversion to
non-water-dependent uses could be acquired from willing sellers. It
would also provide essential funding for waterfront planning that could
stem the tide of conversion.
"The waterfront is the only viable location for such businesses, and
the continued access they provide to recreational boaters along our
coasts is vital to the future of boating," Lydecker added.
H.R. 3109 currently has 18 co-sponsors but needs more, according to
BoatUS. Boaters can review the bill and ask their members of Congress to
co-sponsor at: www.BoatUS.com/gov/workingwaterfronts. For more information, contact BoatUS Government Affairs at 703-461-2878, ext. 8363 or email mailto:GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com.
BoatUS - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the
nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half
million members with government representation, programs and
money-saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.
