FY2013 Continuing Resolution signed by President Obama

 

This week, President Obama signed a Continuing Resolution (CR) which will fund the government through September 30th.   Approval of the CR ensures that the federal agencies receive funding for the next 6 months, although at reduced levels to what we saw in the FY2013 budget and the House and Senate bills.  

 

In the CR, the Army Corps of Engineers will be funded at FY2012 levels and is subject to a 5% cut for the year (approximately $250 million). There will be reductions across all of the agency's accounts, including operations & maintenance (O&M). The Corps will now develop a work plan, and project-specific funding for navigation infrastructure will not be known until this work plan is approved by ASA Darcy's office and OMB.  It has been reported that this process could take up to 45 days to complete.

 

Additional items of interest in the CR include a 2% cut to the Port Security Grant Program's current funding level of $97.5M, a 5% cut from the TIGER Grant program's current level of $500M, and cuts to EPA's Superfund program.  It should also be noted that most transportation programs were funded at levels supported in the most recent surface transportation bill, MAP-21.

 

PNWA staff will continue to monitor the work plan process and to advocate for the highest level of funding for our navigation projects.  For a full list of our supported projects, click here. If you have questions, please contact Heather Stebbings.

New Principles and Guidelines proposed by Council on Environmental Quality 

 

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released their  updated Principles and Guidelines (P&G) for the evaluation of water resource development projects. This document has been used since 1983 to aid the Corps, Bureau of Reclamation, TVA and Natural Resources Conservation service in the evaluation and prioritization of major water projects, including those related to navigation and flood control.

 

The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 called for new P&Gs that would promote consistency and effective decision making regarding water projects. CEQ followed up by putting a draft P&G out for public comment in 2009.  In their latest iteration, they worked to incorporate many of these comments, and to expedite projects and reduce costs with a focus on economic development and environmental stewardship.  The newest version also expands the application of the document to also include EPA and the Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Commerce and Homeland Security. 

PNWA will be reviewing the document and submitting comments prior to the May 28 deadline.  For more information or to submit your organization's comments directly, click here.