WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced his co-sponsorship of the Keep Our Waterfronts Working Act of 2007, which will help preserve access to coastal waters for commercial fishing operations and other water dependent coastal-related businesses.     

“With the increasing demand for waterfront property driving up coastal property values, our fishermen are gradually being priced out of our harbors. Once coastal facilities are lost to other recreational and residential uses, it rarely ever returns for use by those who work on the sea,” Representative Delahunt said.  “Working waterfronts are vital to our marine economy, which in Massachusetts is a $14 billion dollar industry that supports over 220,000 jobs.”

Introduced by Representative Tom Allen of Maine on July 30, this legislation addresses the dire situation waterfront-dependent businesses face as property values continue to rise and competition increases for ever-shrinking access to the water. It amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to establish a competitive matching grant program administered through the Department of Commerce.

“With our fishing industry facing tough times, it is important that we do more to help states and local communities preserve commercial and marine related uses along our coast.  Our region has a rich maritime history and we can't afford to lose it,” said Congressman Delahunt.

When enacted, this program will provide coastal states and communities matching grants to purchase title or development rights to a working waterfront area, defined as land that provides access to coastal waters for water-dependent commercial activities. Grants would require at least a 25 percent match from the applicant and a plan to preserve the working waterfront area.  

To read H.R. 3223, the Keep Our Waterfronts Working Act of 2007, please click here.

 

 

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