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Kristi More

Managing Partner of Grants

Kristi More

Managing Partner of Grants

(202) 454-3950

"I strive to ensure that the voices of my clients, and especially the smaller voices, are heard in the sometimes chaotic walls of Washington."

Kristi More joined TFG in 2000 and specializes in transportation, water, economic and rural development, agricultural, and federal funding for local governments. She is a former staff assistant for a California state representative; intern for the District of Columbia Office of the Corporation Counsel, concentrating on legal and legislative issues concerning the abuse and neglect of children and the elderly; and intern for the California Cattlemen’s Association, focusing on land, water, and air quality concerns surrounding the beef industry.

Since joining TFG, Kristi has concentrated on expanding the firm’s services to small, rural areas of the country. Born and raised in a small, rural county in California (population 20,000) that is abundant in natural resources and federal lands, Kristi understands the delicate balance smaller communities face when trying to address the needs of their citizens. Kristi has worked to develop working relationships between Congress, federal agencies, and her clients. These relationships have benefited the communities she works with through direct appropriations, authorizations, and funding as well as contributed to the Congressional offices gaining a better understanding of the unique problems and needs of rural communities and smaller public agencies. Along with representing individual cities and counties, Kristi has also worked diligently with special districts dedicated to a variety of community services including transportation, water, flood, irrigation, and community development.  In this regard, Kristi also leads TFG’s Grants portfolio for the National Special Districts Coalition which is the only national organization representing and advocating for all special districts at a national level.

With twenty plus years of experience working with local governments, public agencies, and special districts of all sizes and from all over the country, Kristi has become an expert in knowing how to best position and prepare a project for funding assistance. From grants, to appropriations, to federal authorizations, Kristi has helped her clients secure hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for projects related to 911 Dispatch Centers, local library upgrades, sewer and storm drain rehabilitation, economic development, drug-endangered children’s programs, local and regional transportation infrastructure, water supply and conservation, drinking and waste water treatment, public safety, emergency response, and regional interoperable communications.

Kristi received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Davis. She has been an invited speaker on western water issues, the federal appropriations and earmarking cycle, and the competitive grants process. Kristi also serves on TFG’s Management Committee as the Managing Partner of Grants.

 

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Overview

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) serves as the primary vehicle through which Congress authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and establishes policy frameworks for water resource development nationwide. Enacted on a biennial schedule, WRDAs provide congressional authorization for USACE to conduct feasibility studies, construct flood risk reduction projects, improve navigation infrastructure, restore aquatic ecosystems, and assist with environmental infrastructure development.
Since the enactment of WRDA 1986, Congress has used these omnibus authorization bills to both create new USACE authorities and refine existing programs based on evolving national priorities and lessons learned from program implementation. Recent WRDAs have addressed critical issues including drought resilience, water supply development, infrastructure modernization, and support for economically disadvantaged communities.
The most recent legislation, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024, P.L. 118-272), continued Congress's bipartisan commitment to strengthening America's water infrastructure by authorizing new construction projects, modifying existing authorities, and establishing updated policy guidance for USACE operations. WRDA 2024 also authorized five new regional environmental infrastructure programs, each incorporating flexible delivery mechanisms that allow federal assistance to be provided through grants or reimbursements to nonfederal sponsors.
Authorization through WRDA is typically a prerequisite for USACE activities to receive federal appropriations through the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations process. This two-step framework—authorization followed by appropriation—ensures congressional oversight of both program scope and funding levels.
Section 219 of WRDA 1992, as amended, represents one of USACE's most geographically expansive environmental infrastructure assistance authorities. Originally enacted to authorize design assistance for 18 specific projects, Section 219 has been amended by subsequent Congresses to authorize both design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure in hundreds of municipalities, counties, and states across the nation.
The Congressional Research Service has identified over 600 environmental infrastructure assistance authorities with cumulative authorizations of appropriations totaling approximately $18.1 billion. Section 219 authorities constitute the majority of these geographically specific project authorizations, covering at least 46 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories.
Section 219 projects address critical community needs including wastewater treatment facilities, water supply and distribution systems, stormwater management infrastructure, surface water protection, and environmental restoration. These projects support public health, environmental quality, and economic development in communities that have secured congressional authorization for USACE assistance.
Congress has continued to expand Section 219 in recent legislation. WRDA 2022 added 132 new Section 219 authorities and amended 24 existing authorities. WRDA 2024 authorized an additional 193 new Section 219 authorities and amended 53 existing authorities, providing a combined $5.4 billion increase in authorization of appropriations. WRDA 2024 also established a seven-year pilot program to increase the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent for Section 219 projects benefiting economically disadvantaged communities.
Unlike traditional USACE water resource projects, Section 219 assistance does not require completion of the agency's standard feasibility study process. However, projects receiving Section 219 assistance must comply with applicable federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act.

US Congressional Calendar

9 December 2024

TFG Presents 2025 Congressional Calendar

The Ferguson Group (TFG) compiled a 2025 Congressional Calendar with session and recess dates for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate 119th congressional session. 

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