Chellie Pingree: “I thank the gentleman from Hawaii for yielding. I thank Chairman Grijalva for his work on this committee, and I thank…”

“I thank the gentleman from Hawaii for yielding. I thank Chairman Grijalva for his work on this committee, and I thank the ranking member even though we don't seem to agree on too much about this bill. I rise today in support of H.R. 729, which includes my bipartisan bill to protect America's working waterfronts at a time when environmental pressures and rapid development threaten their future. More than 30,000 Mainers rely on marine-related industries for their livelihoods. Yet out of 5,000 miles of coastline, just 20 miles of workable waterfront remain in our State. Coastal communities across the country are feeling that same squeeze. Further reducing our usable coastline will adversely impact everything from aquaculture and boatbuilding to coastal tourism and commercial fishing. My bill will help to reverse this disturbing nationwide trend of shrinking waterfronts. It will protect jobs and preserve the character of coastal communities. It establishes a working waterfronts grant program and a 5-year loan fund pilot program for waterfront preservation. It sets up a task force within the Department of Commerce to identify and prioritize critical needs for the Nation's working waterfronts. Through the task force, the bill will also help communities identify and mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis.…”