Water Resources

For more than 40 years, TFG has been the pre-eminent provider of federal government relations advice to progressive agricultural and urban water management agencies seeking to advance or protect their interests in Washington D.C.’s complex legislative, policy, and regulatory arenas. Our extensive experience in water and natural resource issues includes working for water districts, public utilities, regional water and power authorities, non-governmental organizations, private companies, and coalitions.

Our Expertise

Water infrastructure development, planning, and funding
Harbor and port development and maintenance
Environmental restoration
Shore protection
Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act
Irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric Policy
Stormwater, drinking water and wastewater policy

Client Successes

Yakima River Basin, WA

TFG represents agricultural water users on the Implementation Committee of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan, a 30-year holistic regional watershed management plan that contemplates improved water supplies, fisheries, and wildlife habitat for the future of the Yakima River Basin. Over the past six years, TFG has assisted in the passage of a Phase III authorization through the U.S. Senate (currently pending in the House), and in securing over $86 million in federal funding for projects in the basin linked to the Integrated Plan.

Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority, NC

TFG worked with the Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority in eastern North Carolina to secure $145 million in federal, state and non-profit assistance, including $39 million in competitive grant funding from the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service to establish a new, state-of-the-art water treatment system on the Neuse River along with water distribution systems to targeted economic development projects. Facing skyrocketing unemployment and a state mandate to curtail groundwater pumping, in less than eight years the Authority completed construction on a system that is now providing potable water to thousands of residents and businesses across a two-county region.

Sites Reservoir Project, CA

TFG co-lead federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the Sites Reservoir Project that has led to EPA inviting the Sites Project Authority (Authority) to apply for the largest Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) low-interest, long-term loan ever granted ($2.2 billion), a $449 million USDA low-interest, long-term loan and $104.05 million in direct competitive grants/allocations to the Sites Reservoir Project. Additional federal assistance for transportation and broadband components of the project will be pursued over the next 24 to 36 months as well as additional direct federal assistance to support the primary features of the $4.5 billion reservoir project.

Our Service Areas

US Congressional Calendar

Alex Yiannoutsos / Monday, July 11, 2022

/ Categories: News, Alerts, News & Alerts, Water and Natural Resources

TFG President and CEO Share Federal Funding Insights at California Water Resources Roundtables

Roger Gwinn and Mark Limbaugh discussed federal funding available for western water priorities at the annual ACWA Conference and Virtual Roundtable.

SACRAMENTO, CA. – Roger Gwinn, The Ferguson Group (TFG) CEO, and Mark Limbaugh, TFG President, presented at the Association of Water Administrators (ACWA) roundtables: in May, the 2022 Spring Conference “Accessing Federal Funding” and in June, the Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Federal Funding. Mr. Gwinn and President Limbaugh shared key insights with water and waste water providers on federal funding opportunities available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of the Interior – Bureau of Reclamation. Additionally, they provided information on funding available to stakeholders in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021) and best practices to access these programs.

“I was pleased to join this year’s federal funding roundtable discussions to discuss USDA water programs and other available federal funding opportunities,” said Roger Gwinn. “The federal investment in drinking, waste, and habitat water resources is vital to strengthen communities across California and the Western United States. The knowledge participants gained from these roundtables will make them more competitive applicants for the federal resources they need to achieve their communities’ water goals.”

“These roundtables couldn’t have come at a better time with California entering its third year of drought,” said Mark Limbaugh. “I enjoyed discussing available federal funding from the Department of the Interior – Bureau of Reclamation Programs with participants. There are billions of dollars available in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law alone to improve water efficiency efforts that could have a lasting positive impact in California.”

The ACWA Spring Conference and Exhibition brings together a wide array of California water stakeholders to learn about a variety of local, statewide, and federal water issues and to connect with fellow members of the California water community for insights into best practices. Due to the event’s popularity, the “Accessing Federal Funding” roundtable was added to build upon lessons learned during the Conference.

Mr. Gwinn and Mr. Limbaugh each have over two decades of water resources and federal funding experience. Mr. Gwinn leads the TFG’s representation of large-scale, regional water resources, environmental protection, and economic development initiatives. Mr. Limbaugh specializes in strategic policy and legislative guidance to clients on water, irrigation, energy, and natural resource management issues. He previously served as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of the Interior. Mark also served more than three years as Deputy Commissioner for External and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Bureau of Reclamation.

For more information about TFG, please visit our website at www.thefergusongroup.com.

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Tags: Water roger gwinn Water and Natural Resources Mark Limbaugh California Federal Funding Water Infrastructure Funding ACWA

Latest TFG News

28 January 2025

TFG Monitoring Developments of Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs

On January 27, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under President Trump issued a memorandum titled “Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs.” The directive mandates Federal agencies to temporarily suspend the obligation and disbursement of federal financial assistance while conducting a comprehensive review of programs and awards to ensure alignment with the administration’s policies and priorities. As part of this review, agencies are also instructed to temporarily suspend the issuance of new program solicitations.

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