Regulatory Services

The regulatory or rulemaking process is a powerful way to influence the real-world outcomes of laws passed by Congress, and is an important step to ensuring implementation is favorable to our client’s needs. TFG’s regulatory practice is built on a comprehensive understanding of agency policy and rulemaking processes. TFG professionals have been working with, or have served as, senior staff at federal and state agencies for decades. We use this experience to devise and implement innovative solutions and strategies to achieve effective regulatory outcomes for our clients, and, among other things, put you face-to-face with program officers and decision-makers within key agencies to advocate for your interests.

Why Choose TFG?

  • Develop and submit comments on agency rulemakings, guidance, proposed rules, interim final rules, advisory documents, policy manuals, supplemental proposed rules, and amendatory language
  • Advocate at federal agencies, the Executive Office of the President, the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress
  • Devise innovative solutions for our client’s regulatory challenges
  • Track and monitor regulations and policies
  • Research and analyze agency rules, regulations, policies, and objectives

Case Studies

4F Waiver

TFG worked with the Transportation Corridor Agencies to secure a legislative fix to a 4F regulatory hurdle that prohibited transportation projects funded with federal dollars from having an adverse impact on parks and historic properties. Without the waiver, a multi-billion dollar toll road would have either been stopped in its entirety or incurred significant delays and legal expenses. Working with House and Senate Committees, the Department of Transportation, the Trust for Historic Preservation, and national environmental groups, TFG and its client crafted a provision in federal transportation authorization legislation that permitted an exception to the law when both a park facility and the highway are identified in the same planning process and meant to coexist. The legislative fix avoided construction delays and costly litigation.

Executive Order on FFRMS

In January 2015, the Obama Administration issued Executive Order 13690, which updates the original 1977 Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Executive Order to help reduce the risk and cost of future flood disasters by requiring future federally-funded investments in and around floodplains to adopt higher flood standards. TFG worked to educate its local government clients on the impacts of the Executive Order on their federally-funded projects and ensured Congress and the Administration understood the impacts of the new requirements on local communities. TFG continues to work with clients through the implementation of the Executive Order and will continue to ensure that local governments in the floodplain are not unfairly burdened by the new requirements.

EPA Integrated Planning

TFG has worked on behalf of the TFG-managed Perfect Storm Communities Coalition (PSC) to advocate for a regulatory approach consistent with the Clean Water Act (CWA) that provides local governments the flexibility needed to meet major regulatory challenges in a more cost-effective way. These efforts resulted in the release of EPA's Integrated Planning Framework, which allows a municipality to meet multiple CWA requirements by identifying efficiencies from separate wastewater and stormwater programs and sequencing investments so that the highest priority projects are addressed first, saving municipalities significant time and ratepayer resources. TFG continues to work with PSC to advocate for the codification of EPA Integrated Planning Framework and increased flexibility in meeting CWA obligations.

Services & Issue Areas of Expertise

Transportation

Transportation

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Broadband & Telecommunications

Broadband & Telecommunications

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Economic & Community Development/Housing

Economic & Community Development/Housing

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Environment & Sustainability

Environment & Sustainability

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Health Care & Social Services

Health Care & Social Services

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Public Safety

Public Safety

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Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

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Flood Issues

Flood Issues

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Water Resources

Water Resources

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US Congressional Calendar

TFG President Joins Panel of Experts, Addresses Urgent Water Solutions

Mark Limbaugh shared federal resources critical to Idaho and the Western US’ water future.

BOISE, ID.Mark Limbaugh, President of The Ferguson Group (TFG), returned to his alma mater to serve as a featured panelist at the University of Idaho’s Challenges and Opportunities for Idaho Water Resources Workshop. This meeting convened subject matter experts such as researchers, industry professionals, and political leaders to address pressing challenges facing water resources in Idaho. Prior to joining TFG, Mr. Limbaugh served as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of the Interior and Deputy Commissioner for External and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Bureau of Reclamation in the George W. Bush Administration.

“Adapting to the accelerating impacts of climate change on water resources will be challenging. But the potential for technological innovation and implementation is exciting. The recent influx of federal dollars in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a vital opportunity to reinvest in water infrastructure that will have a ripple effect for generations.” Mr. Limbaugh said.

"Idaho is in an advantageous position. A vast number of federal programs potentially could bring millions of dollars to support the state’s already extensive water resource innovations in water management and stakeholder cooperation.”

“Water is a critical resource and with the opportunities before us, we can forge a positive future in water for Idaho.”

An Idaho native, Mr. Limbaugh has specialized in federal advocacy and funding for water resources, infrastructure, and resiliency at TFG since 2007. Prior to his federal service and time at TFG, he accumulated over 22 years of on-the-ground experience in production agriculture, water, and natural resource issues, and has been actively involved in various state and federal water organizations throughout his career. Other key positions Mark has held include President of the Family Farm Alliance, Watermaster of Idaho’s Payette River Basin, and Executive Director of the Payette River Water Users Association.

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Latest TFG News

27 March 2026

SS4A Program Now Open!

HOT GRANT ALERT

The U.S. Department of Transportation has opened the FY 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program, with approximately $993.5 million available. Applications are due May 26, 2026. We wanted to make sure you had the details in case this aligns with work your organization is currently planning or pursuing.

A summary of the program is below, along with a link to our full TFG Profile Summary for additional detail.

Meet a Team Member

Jennifer Imo

Jennifer Imo

Managing Partner of Advocacy

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