Working waterfronts – a national context: Part 2

Mark Breederland<breederl@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Sea Grant -

Some highlights from 4th Triennial Conference on National Working Waterfronts and Waterways

As discussed in Working Waterfronts – a national context:  Part 1 (November 2015), working waterfronts are waterfront lands, infrastructure, and waterways that are used for a water-dependent activity, such as ports, small recreational boat harbors, fishing docks, and hundreds of other places across the country where people use and access the water. Florida Sea Grant, the National Sea Grant Law Center, and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium sponsored the 4th National Working Waterfronts & Waterways Symposium which was held in November 2015 in Tampa, Fla. More than 200 people from 24 states and Ontario, Canada, attended the symposium.

The goal of the symposium was to increase the capacity of saltwater- and freshwater-based coastal communities and for stakeholders to make informed decisions, balance diverse uses, ensure access, and plan for the future of their working waterfronts. Presentations from Michigan and Michigan Sea Grant were featured at the symposium, which included a strong emphasis on cultural and historical preservation and conservation.

The event also highlighted the premiere of a new website, Preserving the Working Waterfront: Stories From The Nation's Coasts, a series of 10 case studies from around the country that provide ideas, strategies, and documentation. Fishtown in Leland, Mich., was one of the featured profiles. Author, folklorist and historic preservation consultant Laurie Sommers was Working waterfronts - a national context: Part 1

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