Maine to Host National Symposium on Working Waterfronts

 

Registration has begun for the Working Waterways and Waterfronts National Symposium on Water Access, September 27-30 in Portland, Maine.

Across the United States, communities, water-dependent industries, and citizens face conflicts over access to waterways, waterfronts, shorelines, and beaches. The challenge will only increase in the years to come: by 2050, the US population is expected to exceed 400 million people, more than half of whom will live in a coastal county if growth trends continue.

“The good news,” said conference chair and lead organizer Natalie Springuel of Maine Sea Grant, “is that both large and small waterfront communities throughout America are implementing creative solutions to address these challenges. We wanted to bring these people together to share successful models and tools from around the country. Maine was selected to host the symposium because of our leadership on working waterfront issues.”

As examples, Springuel cites other states, such as Washington, California, Florida, and Texas, that have legislation or other legal instruments to protect water access. Oregon is exploring strategies for preserving seafood-related waterfront areas.

In New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, and Alabama, state-appointed commissions are addressing the access issue, and regional forums bring disparate stakeholders together to find solutions in Michigan, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Building on the inaugural symposium in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2007, participants at the September conference will learn about the economic, social, cultural, and environmental values of waterfronts, and the important role of water-dependent uses in sustainable coastal communities. A walking tour of the Portland waterfront and field trips will highlight Maine’s working waterfronts and local efforts to preserve water access that have become national models. The symposium will generate an agenda for maintaining and enhancing the nation’s working waterfronts.

For more information and to register, visit www.wateraccessus.com.