12 November 2021

NATaT to Join the 2021 Small Town America Civic Volunteer Awards Ceremony

NATaT will honor 100 of the nation’s top public service and safety volunteers from small localities across the country.

* Update from the National Association of Towns and Townships*

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) is pleased to join the 2021 Small Town America Civic Volunteer Awards (STACVA) Ceremony on Monday, November 15, 2021. NATaT is a proud co-sponsor of the annual event which honors the extraordinary achievements of 100 public service volunteers from communities under 25,000 including several from NATaT member states. CivicPlus will award prizes to each winner, including cash awards, valued over $1,000,000. Other co-sponsors of the award are the National Association of Counties, National Volunteer Fire Council, Points of Light, and Main Street America.

“We are proud to recognize the incredible effort and generosity of volunteers in small communities nationwide,” said Jennifer Imo, NATaT Federal Director. “Everywhere you look, volunteers fill in gaps as EMTs, firefighters, and council members to provide essential services and protect the safety of their communities. They deserve immense thanks for their contributions.”

Neil Sheridan, NATaT’s Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Director of the Michigan Townships Association, serves as NATaT’s representative on the 2021 STACVA National Advisory Council. NATaT applauds his efforts to connect with local government representatives from NATaT’s over 10,000 towns and townships to nominate public service volunteers or public service volunteer organizations for STACVA recognition. Thanks to this work, there were almost 700 nominations from 49 states this year compared to 60 nominations from 40 states in 2020.

Who: The National Association of Towns and Townships

What: 2021 Small Town Civic Volunteer Awards Ceremony

When: Monday, November 15^th at 2:00 p.m. EST

Where: Virtual Ceremony hosted by Bart Russell, Founder & CEO of the Barton Russell Group, Chair of the STACVA's National Advisory Team

Additional Background on STACVA

Launched in 2020, The Small Town America Civic Volunteer Award aims to recognize the achievements of local volunteers and raise awareness on the decline in public service volunteerism in small communities across the country. Every year, the STACVA program calls on local leaders to nominate volunteers as the nation’s top 100 public service and public safety volunteers in localities of 25,000 people or less. STACVA honors volunteers’ extraordinary service and provides cash awards and training resources to each year’s winners sponsored by CivicPlus.

Overview

Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

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 Environmental Infrastructure

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.

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US Congressional Calendar

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