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Marine trades urge committee to expand public boating access and mooring facilities
Summary
The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association asked the committee to advance a bill directing municipal and state agencies to establish or expand public mooring and boating access in Boston Harbor and elsewhere, arguing recreational boating supports jobs and local economies and that boaters are strong environmental stewards.
Jamie Buchanan (representing the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association) urged the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to report favorably a bill to increase public boating access, expand mooring and transient-slip capacity, and require reporting by agencies that control waterfront property.
Buchanan said the marine trades represent about 18,000 jobs and $5 billion in annual economic activity in the state and noted that every dollar spent on a slip or mooring generates roughly $3.80 in local economic activity. She also emphasized industry support for water quality and said vessel users are committed to the state’s no-discharge rules.
The sponsor asked the committee to advance the bill and welcomed quick action; committee chairs recorded no vote during the hearing and invited written testimony.
