Issues: Waterfront Access
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The loss of water access is hindering recreational boaters, commercial fishermen, and water-dependent businesses around the nation’s coasts. Working waterfronts (which consist of marinas, boat repair yards, fish piers, and charter fishing docks) are rapidly changing, now being used for private residential developments and non-water dependent businesses.
Rising real estate taxes tied to “highest and best use” assessments and escalating property values fueled by the public’s desire to live by the water are driving the conversion. Water-dependent businesses, such as haul-out service yards, seafood handling facilities, and boat builders, are losing access to the water as well. These losses compound the challenges that decision-makers at all levels of government face in trying to balance population growth, public services, and economic development with the demand for public access to, and on, the water.
