YEARS OF GEOSYNTHETICS ADVOCACYGMA’s ongoing government relations success

JANUARYGMA celebrates 10 years of advocacy and government relations successes at the 2015 Geosynthetics Conference in Portland, Oregon. To date, GMA has held hundreds of meetings in Washington, D.C. and state capitols with Members of Congress and policymakers to grow the acceptance and use of geosynthetics at the federal and state level.

2015

JUNE Geosynthetics is written into U.S. law for the first time in the Water Resources Reform & Development Act (WRRDA). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now required to consider geosynthetics as an innovative material in projects.

DECEMBERThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues the first national coal ash disposal regulations. GMA’s lobbying efforts secure language included in the final regulations that approve the use of “alternative clay liners” (geosynthetic clay liners). This language and mandate provides increased geosynthetics opportunities in the U.S.

2014

JUNE GMA provides geosynthetics language to be included in the FY 2014 Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

2013

SEPTEMBER

GMA members send letters of support to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (specifically Chairman Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall) to include geosynthetics language in the WRRDA bill.

JANUARYGMA meets with the Coal Combustion By-Product Coalition (CCB) and the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group (USWAG) to discuss pending EPA coal ash containment regulation. GMA is the only non-utility entity present.

MARCHCongressman John Duncan’s office sends a Government Accountability Office (GAO) commitment letter to GMA. The letter informs GMA that the GAO is committed to completing the study, highlights the scope of the study and its expected date of completion, and requests assistance from the industry.

OCTOBERGMA starts its State and Local Advocacy program to educate and promote geosynthetics in targeted U.S. states, including Oregon.

2012

AUGUST

The office of U.S. Representative Jack Kingston (Ga.–1) works with GMA to include language about the GAO study and the innovation of geosynthetic materials in the Transportation Appropriation Bill.

APRILCongressman David McKinley (W.Va.-1) introduces H.R. 1391, to “prohibit the EPA from regulating coal combustion byproducts as hazardous waste under Subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and for other purposes.”

JULYGMA begins participation in what will be dozens of USWAG conference calls and D.C.-based meetings regarding actions in the House of Representatives on the McKinley bill.

AUGUSTGMA continues to submit public comments and documentation to the EPA related to pending coal ash legislation.

SEPTEMBERThrough GMA’s advocacy efforts, Congressman John Duncan (Tenn.-2) and Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2) send a letter to Mr. Gene L. Dodaro to request the GAO perform a study to investigate the life cycle costs and benefits of incorporating innovative materials such as geosynthetics in pavements.

2011

MARCH GMA launches a matching funds fundraising campaign to support its government relations program.

2010

AUGUSTAt a public hearing in Arlington, Virginia, GMA testifies that coal ash can be safely contained as solid waste and that designating coal ash as hazardous waste is excessive. GMA supports congressional action to encourage the U.S. EPA to issue regulations over coal ash disposal and continues to advocate for use of geosynthetic materials to assist in coal ash disposal and containment.2007

FEBRUARY

Geosynthetic materials are acknowledged and prominently discussed for the first time at a Congressional hearing on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

2009MARCHCoal ash disposal becomes a prominent issue in Congress and GMA actively educates Congress regarding the benefits of geosynthetic materials usage.

GMA hires a professional lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. to educate Congress and regulatory agencies and to advocate on behalf of the industry.

JULYGMA hosts its first Lobby Day event in Washington D.C. GMA continues to host two Lobby Day events annually.

2005

2006JUNEGMA submits language to Congress recommending that the use of geosynthetic materials be included in the WRDA legislation.

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About the Geosynthetic Materials Association of IFAIThe Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) is the central resource for geosynthetics marketplace members. GMA provides engineering support, business development opportunities, educational programming, and industry recognition. GMA has more than a decade of experience representing the interests of the geosynthetics industry in Washington, D.C., and has successfully influenced legislation encouraging the use of geosynthetics in national and state infrastructure and environmental projects.

GeosyntheticMaterials Association GMAnow.com

“As a real estate developer, I am very familiar with the infrastructure requirements for a new development. One of the greatest tools we deployed was long lasting geosynthetics under newly paved roads. The performance of roads built with geosynthetics was always superior to those built without geosynthetics and geosynthetics are better for the environment as well as drainage around roads. Buttressing my personal experience with geosynthetics is evidence from the federal government about the benefits associated with utilizing geosynthetic materials.”

—Former U.S. Rep. Heath Schuler, N.C.

“Geosynthetics – The Committee directs the FHWA to continue assessing the use of geosynthetics in highway and civil infrastructure applications, especially potential cost savings and environmental benefits. The Committee also encourages FHWA to review and consider the recommendations in GAO’s upcoming report on geosynthetics and the associated life-cycle costs of incorporating innovative materials in pavement.”

“Geosynthetics.—The Committee encourages the Federal Highway Administration to actively review and incorporate geosynthetics for highway and civil infrastructure applications, due to their cost savings, longevity, and environmental benefits. The Committee also encourages the Department of Transportation to thoroughly review the GAO Study entitled, Information on Materials and Practices for Improving Highway Pavement Performance that investigated the benefits of incorporating innovative materials into pavements.”

Subtitle C-Additional Safety Improvements and Risk Reduction Measures

SEC. 3021. USE OF INNOVATIVE MATERIALS.

Section 8(d) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1988 (33 U.S.C. 2314) is amended by striking “materials” and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting “methods, or materials, including roller compacted concrete, geosynthetic materials, and advanced composites, that the Secretary determines are appropriate to carry out this section.”.

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