[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 KEEP AMERICA'S WATERFRONTS WORKING ACT

  (Ms. PINGREE of Maine asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, of Maine's 3,300 miles of 
coastline, less than 20 miles support commercial fishing and other 
traditional marine activities. But this small portion of the coastline 
contributes $800 million to Maine's economy and provides jobs for over 
30,000 people. As the coastline continues to give way to condos, 
hotels, and other non-compatible uses, these jobs are disappearing.
  This problem is not unique to Maine. It occurs on all our coasts and 
waterways around the country and throughout the Great Lakes region. 
Working waterfront jobs are disappearing as a result of tremendous 
pressures communities face from incompatible development.
  That's why today I'm introducing the Keep America's Waterfronts 
Working Act, along with my colleagues from around the country. With a 
grants program devoted to preserving working waterfronts across the 
Nation, States will be able to help preserve jobs and communities that 
depend on them.

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