AUGUSTA – A measure sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, that will create a Working Waterfront Advisory Council to address issues impacting Maine’s coastal communities was signed into law last Wednesday, June 11.
Additionally, LD 1245 will establish the Working Waterfront Information and Technical Assistance Fund within the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) to help spread awareness of Maine’s working waterfronts. The funds will be used on promotional tools such as brochures, advertisements and campaigns explaining the importance of working waterfronts and how best to protect them, along with being used to provide technical assistance. The measure will also help MOCA fund work assisting communities in identifying and protecting existing points of access and working waterfront infrastructure.
Further, LD 1245 requires the Working Waterfront Advisory Council to submit a report by Feb. 1, 2026, followed by annual reports, to the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee and Marine Resources Committee.
“I have heard time and again in my conversations with nonprofits, communities, fishermen and aquaculturists of the need for the state to center working waterfronts as a long-term priority,” said Rielly. “LD 1245 will give us the tools to spread awareness along with providing technical assistance for our coastal and island communities to protect our working waterfronts. The Working Waterfront Advisory Council will provide annual reports with updates and recommendations to the Legislature and to the director of MOCA. This will allow for consistency in crafting policy and will help center our working waterfronts as a strategic priority for the Legislature, instead of acting only when crisis strikes.”
“LD 1245, as signed into law by Gov. Mills, will strengthen Maine’s marine economy and coastal communities by providing new tools to support working waterfronts and all who rely on them,” said Samantha Horn of MOCA. “This law is an important step in protecting and promoting the resilience of Maine’s working waterfront infrastructure, a key strategy identified by the Governor’s Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission.”
“This legislation is a critical step toward sustaining Maine’s working waterfronts, not just as physical spaces, but as the foundation of our coastal economy and culture,” said Monique Coombs of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “For fishing families, access to the water is access to our livelihood. By investing in technical assistance, community engagement and a statewide strategy, this bill acknowledges that working waterfronts are essential infrastructure and deserve the same level of planning, support and protection as things like our roads and schools.”
“This legislation is a powerful step forward in strengthening Maine’s working waterfronts by bringing together state agencies, local communities, industry leaders and nonprofit partners,” said Nick Battista of the Island Institute. “These waterfronts are not only vital to our identity – they are economic engines, supporting thousands of jobs and generating over $3.2 billion in annual economic impact. By creating a structure for sustained, cross-sector coordination and support, this bill lays the foundation for long-term resilience, innovation and shared prosperity along the coast.”
“The Maine Marine Trades Association appreciates Rep. Rielly’s leadership and the bipartisan support that helped create a new state-level Working Waterfront Fund and Advisory Council,” said Stacey Keefer of the Maine Marine Trades Association. “The state will have a more effective conduit to help working waterfront industries manage increasing challenges and threats. There is much work ahead, but this is an important foundational step to build upon.”
“Rep. Rielly has accomplished more for working waterfronts in one legislative session than has been achieved in many years,” said Sebastian Belle of the Maine Aquaculture Association. “The men and women who rely on the ocean to support their families and coastal communities owe him a great debt for his hard work and determined efforts to support and protect working waterfronts.”
“Working waterfront properties are essential infrastructure in our coastal communities as economic drivers and keystones for Maine’s rural way of life,” said Nancy Smith of GrowSmart Maine. “We are pleased to see the state support our coastal communities through passage of LD 1245 and the establishment of both the Working Waterfront Information and Technical Assistance Fund and Advisory Council. These programs will give a voice to key stakeholders and spread awareness about the vital importance to protect and support Maine’s working waterfronts.”
Rielly is serving his third term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. He represents a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Rielly) | 305-965-2744