FEMA has announced that Roy Wright, the director of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, is stepping down to take the helm of a nonprofit backed by the insurance industry. We will be sorry to see Roy leave. He was a great advocate for purchasing flood insurance, for sensible policies by
Should the Civil Works Mission Leave the US Army Corps of Engineers?
As happens on a regular political cycle, there are stories being published again with calls for USACE’s Civil Works mission to leave USACE and move to the U.S. Department of Transportation, or perhaps the Department of Interior. On Thursday, Major General Donald Jackson Jr. sent an Email for distribution within USACE on the proposal to move the mission.
National Waterways Conference Requests More Time on Draft 408 Policy
The National Waterways Conference has submitted a letter in response to the notice published in the Federal Register on February 5, 2018, seeking comment on the draft Engineering Circular (EC) on 408 permissions. According to the notice, comments must be submitted by March 7, 2018. 83 Fed. Reg. 5075. The…
President Trump Releases Infrastructure Proposal
Today’s guest-post is from Laura Morgan-Kessler of Van Scoyoc Associates.
On Monday, February 12, President Trump formally unveiled his proposed infrastructure package entitled “Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America.” The proposal outlined the following main goals:
The President Is Pushing Infrastructure, But Not So Much Through the Corps’ Civil Works Program
Today the Administration released its FY19 budget proposal. As you likely know, the budget proposal signifies the starting point for the annual appropriations cycle which will play out in Congress over the course of the calendar year. Large portions of the budget proposal will be deemed “dead on arrival” by Congress, but it’s important to understand what the Administration is proposing in order to gain a good understanding of the work that lays ahead in the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.
Technical Problems with First USACE 408 Webinar; Tune in Tomorrow for Second
Draft 408 Guidance imminent; USACE Webinars Scheduled
Happy New Year!!!!!! Yes, it is actually February, but it is a new year for this blog as we turn our attention to a world full of flood risk reduction actions in the second year of the Trump Administration. We are hearing that on February 6 the Corps will be…
Why Advocacy Matters
Today’s guest-post is from Laura Morgan-Kessler of Van Scoyoc Associates.
It is almost impossible to turn on the news or open your twitter feed today without seeing words like gridlock, partisan, or contentious used to describe the current climate in Washington, D.C. The constant negativity surrounding the events and activities in our nation’s capital has led many to feel disheartened with the political process. However, as has often been the case in Washington, D.C., the times of greatest uncertainly provide the greatest opportunity. A strong federal advocacy effort is exactly what is needed to take advantage of these opportunities.
Trump Nominates RD James for Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
This morning President Trump announced his intent to nominate candidates to a number of administration posts. Among them is RD James to be the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Here is the blurb on James:
The Money Calendar – How The Federal Budget Calendar Is Circular, Not Linear
On a recent visit to Washington, D.C. to work on client issues, I attended any number of meetings where we discussed Federal appropriations. But before we get to an observation or two, here is a recap on the process for how Congress can choose to invest money into a flood risk management project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: