Water Resources

For more than 40 years, TFG has been the pre-eminent provider of federal government relations advice to progressive agricultural and urban water management agencies seeking to advance or protect their interests in Washington D.C.’s complex legislative, policy, and regulatory arenas. Our extensive experience in water and natural resource issues includes working for water districts, public utilities, regional water and power authorities, non-governmental organizations, private companies, and coalitions.

Our Expertise

Water infrastructure development, planning, and funding
Harbor and port development and maintenance
Environmental restoration
Shore protection
Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act
Irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric Policy
Stormwater, drinking water and wastewater policy

Client Successes

Yakima River Basin, WA

TFG represents agricultural water users on the Implementation Committee of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan, a 30-year holistic regional watershed management plan that contemplates improved water supplies, fisheries, and wildlife habitat for the future of the Yakima River Basin. Over the past six years, TFG has assisted in the passage of a Phase III authorization through the U.S. Senate (currently pending in the House), and in securing over $86 million in federal funding for projects in the basin linked to the Integrated Plan.

Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority, NC

TFG worked with the Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority in eastern North Carolina to secure $145 million in federal, state and non-profit assistance, including $39 million in competitive grant funding from the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service to establish a new, state-of-the-art water treatment system on the Neuse River along with water distribution systems to targeted economic development projects. Facing skyrocketing unemployment and a state mandate to curtail groundwater pumping, in less than eight years the Authority completed construction on a system that is now providing potable water to thousands of residents and businesses across a two-county region.

Sites Reservoir Project, CA

TFG co-lead federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the Sites Reservoir Project that has led to EPA inviting the Sites Project Authority (Authority) to apply for the largest Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) low-interest, long-term loan ever granted ($2.2 billion), a $449 million USDA low-interest, long-term loan and $104.05 million in direct competitive grants/allocations to the Sites Reservoir Project. Additional federal assistance for transportation and broadband components of the project will be pursued over the next 24 to 36 months as well as additional direct federal assistance to support the primary features of the $4.5 billion reservoir project.

Our Service Areas

US Congressional Calendar

Alex Yiannoutsos / Friday, September 13, 2024

/ Categories: MeetUs

Jeffrey Burke

“Growing up in and around rural Maine taught me about the resiliency of communities and instilled a passion to support projects that strengthen them.”

Jeffrey Burke is an Associate at TFG and joined the team in October 2024. He brings a wide range of public policy knowledge to support the firm’s clients, including experience with congressional appropriations, economic development, housing, and health care policy.

Prior to TFG, Jeffrey worked with the National Association of Rural Health Clinics to improve health care in rural communities. As their Deputy Director of Government Affairs, he primarily focused on congressional engagement and advancing legislation that would better support safety-net providers. Jeffrey also brings five years of Capitol Hill experience working for U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr., specifically focusing on the financial services and appropriations portfolios. In that capacity, he addressed issues related to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects in Maine.

Jeffrey is originally from Bangor, Maine and he possesses a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maine.

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Tags: Associate Jeffrey Burke

Title	Associate
Email	jburke@tfgnet.com
Phone	(202) 793-1512

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