One-year extension for Section 214 becomes law
PNWA is pleased to report that the bill to extend Section 214 has become law. On Tuesday, December 22nd, President Obama signed H.R.4165 into law, which extends Section 214 through December 31, 2010.
PNWA's membership and the entities that have staff placed with the Corps of Engineers through Section 214 are very grateful to Rep. Rick Larsen (D, WA-2) for sponsoring this bill and collecting House co-sponsors, and to Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) for moving the bill through the Senate without delay. We also appreciate the longstanding support of Rep. Brian Baird (D, WA-3) and his staff in preparation for this extension effort.
Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-541) allows the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities and to expedite the processing of permits. Section 214 has allowed local governments (cities, counties, ports, etc.) to move forward with vital infrastructure and ecosystem restoration projects. By funding additional staff to work on specific, time-intensive permits, existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulatory staffers are able to process significant permit backlogs more quickly. Funding for additional Corps staff has resulted in a reduction of permit wait times not only for the funding entity, but for any individual or organization that makes an application with that District of the Corps. Section 214 is currently used by over 43 public agencies in 20 Corps districts around the nation.
PNWA is also working to make Section 214 permanent in the next WRDA bill. PNWA has submitted WRDA request forms and non-federal sponsor support letters to every member of the Pacific Northwest House delegation, urging each Member to include Section 214 permanence in their WRDA submissions to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. When consideration of a WRDA bill begins in earnest in Congress, PNWA will be advocating for this authority to finally be made permanent.
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