DOT Announces Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Awardees

Federal Transit Authority awards nearly $211 million to sixty-one project nationwide

8 September 2016
Author: Anonym
Number of views: 553
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced awardees for its Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program. Sixty-one projects in 41 states, the Virgin Islands, and Indian Country received a share of nearly $211 million to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase transit buses and related equipment, and construct bus-related facilities. Was your community one of the lucky applicants?

20 July 2016
Author: Kristi More
Number of views: 530
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On Friday, July 15, President Obama signed the "FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016" (H.R. 636) into law, which extends Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) program, spending, and tax authorities through September 30, 2017 at current funding levels. The House passed the bill by voice vote on July 11 and the Senate passed the bill on July 13 by a vote of 89-4. The bill also provides important aviation safety, security, and time-sensitive improvements, including: improvements to the I-95 corridor in Northern Virginia.

13 July 2016
Author: Anonym
Number of views: 912
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The Loudoun County, VA Board of Supervisors approved its federal agenda for the upcoming year and sets priorities for federal legislative, regulatory, and grant priorities.

The Ferguson Group helps lobby GSA

12 July 2016
Author: Anonym
Number of views: 891
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The Ferguson Group works with Loudoun County, VA to advance the County's goals in Washington D.C. One of the County's top priorities is getting Loudoun back into the D.C. Non-Standard Area. Read the full article to learn more about the impacts to Loudoun County and the progress being made with the General Services Administration.

Who made the cut in the first round of funding for this new program?

8 July 2016
Author: Anonym
Number of views: 621
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This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) notified the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Environment and Public Works committees that it intends to award a total of $759.2 million to 18 transportation projects under its newly created “FASTLANE” grant program. The projects selected range in size from $5 million to upgrade an interchange in a Seattle suburb to $165 million for a series of multimodal improvements to the I-95 corridor in Northern Virginia.

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Overview

Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) serves as the primary vehicle through which Congress authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and establishes policy frameworks for water resource development nationwide. Enacted on a biennial schedule, WRDAs provide congressional authorization for USACE to conduct feasibility studies, construct flood risk reduction projects, improve navigation infrastructure, restore aquatic ecosystems, and assist with environmental infrastructure development.

Since the enactment of WRDA 1986, Congress has used these omnibus authorization bills to both create new USACE authorities and refine existing programs based on evolving national priorities and lessons learned from program implementation. Recent WRDAs have addressed critical issues including drought resilience, water supply development, infrastructure modernization, and support for economically disadvantaged communities.

The most recent legislation, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024, P.L. 118-272), continued Congress's bipartisan commitment to strengthening America's water infrastructure by authorizing new construction projects, modifying existing authorities, and establishing updated policy guidance for USACE operations. WRDA 2024 also authorized five new regional environmental infrastructure programs, each incorporating flexible delivery mechanisms that allow federal assistance to be provided through grants or reimbursements to nonfederal sponsors.

Authorization through WRDA is typically a prerequisite for USACE activities to receive federal appropriations through the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations process. This two-step framework—authorization followed by appropriation—ensures congressional oversight of both program scope and funding levels.

Section 219 Environmental Infrastructure

Section 219 of WRDA 1992, as amended, represents one of USACE's most geographically expansive environmental infrastructure assistance authorities. Originally enacted to authorize design assistance for 18 specific projects, Section 219 has been amended by subsequent Congresses to authorize both design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure in hundreds of municipalities, counties, and states across the nation.

The Congressional Research Service has identified over 600 environmental infrastructure assistance authorities with cumulative authorizations of appropriations totaling approximately $18.1 billion. Section 219 authorities constitute the majority of these geographically specific project authorizations, covering at least 46 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories.

Section 219 projects address critical community needs including wastewater treatment facilities, water supply and distribution systems, stormwater management infrastructure, surface water protection, and environmental restoration. These projects support public health, environmental quality, and economic development in communities that have secured congressional authorization for USACE assistance.

Congress has continued to expand Section 219 in recent legislation. WRDA 2022 added 132 new Section 219 authorities and amended 24 existing authorities. WRDA 2024 authorized an additional 193 new Section 219 authorities and amended 53 existing authorities, providing a combined $5.4 billion increase in authorization of appropriations. WRDA 2024 also established a seven-year pilot program to increase the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent for Section 219 projects benefiting economically disadvantaged communities.

Unlike traditional USACE water resource projects, Section 219 assistance does not require completion of the agency's standard feasibility study process. However, projects receiving Section 219 assistance must comply with applicable federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act.

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US Congressional Calendar

Alex Yiannoutsos / Monday, December 9, 2024

/ Categories: News, News & Alerts, TFG in the News

TFG Presents 2025 Congressional Calendar

The Ferguson Group (TFG) compiled a 2025 Congressional Calendar with session and recess dates for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate 119th congressional session.