2024 NWC Legislative Summit Recap

Washington, DC

March 11 –13, 2024

We want to express our sincere gratitude to all those who joined us for the National Waterways Conference’s (NWC) 2024 Legislative Summit in Washington, DC, last week on March 11-13, 2024. This Summit proved to be both insightful and engaging, bringing together a diverse array of federal, state, and local experts to delve into a wide spectrum of issues affecting the water and waterways sector, including navigation, flood control, water supply, hydropower, and recreation, among others. Attendance surpassed expectations, with over 170 enthusiastic registrants and participants. Over several days, attendees had the opportunity to engage in a rich variety of sessions and networking events, facilitating the exchange of valuable insights and the establishment of meaningful connections.

Here is a snapshot of our event:

  • On Day 1 of the conference, the National Water Supply Alliance, a valued partner of NWC, commenced proceedings with a half-day dedicated to discussions centered around the latest developments in water supply issues. The latter part of the day was dedicated to internal NWC meetings, featuring sessions with our Executive Committee and Board of Directors. These sessions included a strategic planning exercise aimed at envisioning NWC’s trajectory over the next 40 years. NWC members can anticipate further engagement in this endeavor, as we will be reaching out to many of you for input. The goal is to finalize the strategic plan at our 2024 Annual Meeting. Additionally, the NWC Board made several mid-term appointments to fill vacant positions. We extend our congratulations to Mr. Richard Hancock of Black and Veatch, Mr. Jace Houston of Freese and Nicols, and Mr. Tom Lynch of The Fertilizer Institute on their new Board roles. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with each of you moving forward.
  • Day 2 of the Summit proved to be our most eventful day yet. Before officially commencing proceedings, we held a new attendee session, which was expertly moderated by NWC Chair Mr. Andrew Sinclair (Port of Virginia). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Linda Christie (Tarrant Regional Water District), Mr. Vince Gin (Valley Water), Ms. Phyllis Saathoff (Port of Freeport), and Ms. Dena Horton (Pacific Northwest Waterways Association) for their good humor in sharing their insights and thoughts during this session. Following this, we had a full day of programming. Later that evening, we gathered on Capitol Hill for a delightful Congressional reception.
  • Day 3 featured discussions on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE/Corps) civil works budgets, operations, regulatory matters, and project planning. The day concluded with an exploration of cybersecurity challenges facing water and waterways entities. Additionally, NWC caucus meetings for Navigation, Flood, and Water Supply were held, addressing various priorities and considerations within the sector.

Please note that the last general session with Ms. Stacey Jensen was canceled since she is switching jobs. Ms. Jensen, the Acting Director of Policy and Legislation at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) is departing the office to assume a director position at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Stacey on this new endeavor and eagerly anticipate continued collaboration in her new role!

To view available PowerPoints from the 2024 Legislative Summit, refer below:

DIRECTOR’S INSIGHT: MR. EDDIE BELK ON USACE’S ACTIONS IN 2024

Moderated by Mr. Andrew Sinclair (NWC Chair; Director of Federal Government Affairs, The Port of Virginia), Mr. Eddie Belk (Director of Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) discussed priorities and accomplishments of USACE’s civil works program.

Resources:

FROM AUTHORIZATION TO APPROPRIATIONS: DECODING THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT AND ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS

During this session led by moderator Mr. Geoff Bowman (Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates), Ms. Jennifer Armstrong (Director of Government Relations, Waterways Council Inc.) and Mr. Charles Brittingham (Senior Vice President, Cassidy & Associates) discussed the intricacies of the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) process and its connection to the annual appropriations process.

Resources:

LATEST ON CHANGES TO THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

Ms. Julie Minerva (Partner, Carpi & Clay) moderated a session with Mr. David Maurstad (Resilience Assistant Administrator, Federal Insurance Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency) who talked through flooding risks and what FEMA has been doing to help communities.

Resources:

DIVE INTO THE MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR’S PERSPECTIVE ON U.S. MARITIME INDUSTRY

Ms. Phyllis Saathoff (Executive Director/CEO, Port Freeport) moderated a session with Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips (Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation) to talk about the evolving landscape of maritime matters.

Resources:

FORGING AHEAD: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW FOR WATER RESOURCE STUDIES AND PROJECTS

Moderated by Dr. Timothy D. Feather (Vice President, CDM Smith), the next session with Ms.  Robyn Colosimo (Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Project Planning and Review), Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), U.S. Army) delving into the obstacles and potentialities confronting non-federal sponsors.

Resources:

  • No powerpoint available

2024 (AND BEYOND) WATER AND WATERWAYS LEGISLATIVE/ REGULATORY WATCHLIST

Mr. Jim Sartucci (Government Affairs Counselor, K&L Gates) moderated a panel with Mr. Steven Burns (Partner, Balch & Bingham); Mr. Jim Crum (Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates); Ms. Deidre Duncan (Partner, Hunton, Andrews & Kurth); Mr. Craig Montesano (Vice President—Legislative Affairs, American Waterway Operators); and Ms. Sunny Simpkins (Executive Director, National Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies) that looked a issues coming down the pike from current political makeup in the chambers, upcoming elections, Endangered Species Act regulations, FEMA’s Federal Flood Risk Management Standards proposed rule, federal rules on PFAS, homelessness on levee systems, next steps for “Waters of the U.S.” and state water quality certifications and more.

Resources:

  • No powerpoints available

CHARTING THE COURSE: CAPITOL HILL’S FOCUS ON WATERWAYS AND PENDING LEGISLATION

For this panel, we were joined by four Congressional staff members from the House and Senate WRDA authorization committees—Ms. Nicole Comisky (USACE detailee (majority), Environment and Public Works Committee, U.S. Senate); Ms. Libby Callaway (Professional Staff (minority), Environment and Public Works Committee, U.S. Senate); Mr. Ryan Hambleton (Staff Director (majority), Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, U.S. House of Representatives);  Mr. Ryan Seiger (Staff Director/Senior Counsel (minority), Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, U.S. House of Representatives)  provided insights into upcoming WRDA and other water/waterways related legislation. Key messaging: WRDA 2024 is expected to be lighter on policy to give USACE time to implement WRDA 2022 and previous WRDA provisions. Senate received approximately 1100-1200 Congressional WRDA requests/the House received over 1800 which was 30% more Congressional requests than WRDA 2022. Goal is to have a draft bill out in the next month or so, with committee and floor action in the May/June time frame.

Resources:

  • No powerpoints available

NAVIGATING THE FUTURE: USACE’S COMMITMENT TO WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

NWC Chair Andrew Sinclair (Port of Virginia) kicked off the last day with a USACE session with Mr. Tab Brown (Chief, of Programs Integration Division (Civil Works), USACE); Mr. Tom Smith (Chief, of Operations and Regulatory Division (Civil Works), USACE) and Mr. Aaron Snyder, Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program Director/P3 Program Director, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to talk about their respective focus areas.

Resources:

USACE 101: UNRAVELING WRDA, PROJECT PLANNING, AND COLLABORATION

Moderated by a former district commander, Mr. Tom Chapman (HDR, Inc), the next session featured Mr. Wes Coleman (Programs Director, Southwestern Division, USACE) and Mr. Let Mon Lee (Senior Associate, Gahagan and Bryant Associates, Inc.) who dug into the civil works project delivery process.

Resources:

RIPPLES OF RESILIENCE: CYBERSECURITY MEASURES FOR A SECURE FUTURE IN WATER AND WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT

This session, moderated by Mr. Brandon Wade (Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Gulf Coast Water Authority), explored cybersecurity strategies, insights, and resources available on threat detection, risk mitigation and safety measures with Mr. Justin Louchheim (Food and Agriculture Liaison—Sector Engagement Division, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security) and Ms. Lauren Wisniewski (Water and Wastewater Section Liaison,  Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security).

Resources:

NWC NAVIGATION CAUCUS MEETING

NWC Navigation Caucus chair, Ms. Kristin Meira (American Cruise Lines) led a caucus discussion on funding and policy priorities. She also introduced the new co-vice chairs Mr. Cam Spencer (Director of Government Relations, Port of Houston) and Ms. Phyllis Saathoff (Executive Director/CEO, Port Freeport). The NWC Navigation Caucus supports the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and all federal agencies whose authorizations, policies, and legislative mandates impact the navigation channels across the nation. The goal is to facilitate the fluid movement of commerce by collaborating with federal agencies and industry to ensure the viability of the coastal and inland river navigation systems.

Resources:

  • No power point available

NWC FLOOD CAUCUS MEETING

During NWC’s Flood Caucus meeting on March 13, Flood Caucus Chair Mr. Rick Johnson (Executive Director, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency) and co-chair Mr. Scott Elmer (Harris County Flood Control Agency) discussed how their agencies are working to quantify multiple benefits in flood projects. Additionally, Ms. Tammy Conforti from USACE gave an update about the National Levee Safety Program (hint the new National Levee Safety Guidelines will be available for public review on April 1, 2024). Webinars are scheduled for March—May.

Resources:

NWC WATER SUPPLY CAUCUS MEETING

For the final session of the Summit, Mr. Brandon Wade (Chair—NWC Water Supply Caucus; Gulf Coast Water Authority) led a NWC Water Supply Caucus meeting featuring Ms. Meridith Ladart, Technical Director, WMRS PCX, Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, before opening the caucus up to discuss. The Water Supply/Reuse Caucus is tasked with studying issues that pertain to water supply storage and reuse issues. Primary federal agencies of interest include but are not limited to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Reclamation.