Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2000, as amended, provides that the Secretary of the Army may accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the evaluation of permits under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army.
In August 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was signed into law. This law also allows funds be provided for transportation planning activities that precede the initiation of the environmental review process, dedicated staffing, training of agency personnel, information gathering/mapping, and development of programmatic agreements.
Funds may be used to employ staff at resource agencies who are dedicated to working on state transportation projects and to work on matters such as expedited project review and delivery. For further information on the SAFETEA-LU program, see link below.
The Walla Walla District recognizes the benefits the programs provide to all stakeholders who work with the district's regulatory branch. The use of funds accepted under Section 214 of WRDA and/or SAFETEA-LU will not impact impartial decision making with respect to permits, either substantively or procedurally.
For additional information on the Cooperative Agreement between Walla Walla District Regulatory Division, Federal Highway Administration and Idaho Transportation Department, see links below.