Geosynthetics language is in new Appropriations Act

Letter to GMA members highlights the text included

Dear GMA Members,
GMA is pleased to announce that on June 25, 2013, the draft committee report for the FY2014 Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies Appropriations Act included language that specifically cited the importance of geosynthetics in highway and civil infrastructure applications. The report was made public and on page 35, the following text was included:

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 Government Accountability Office (GAO) Study entitled, Information on Materials and Practices for Improving Highway Pavement Performance that investigated the benefits of incorporating innovative materials into pavements.

This is great news for GMA and a big win for our industry! We owe a special thanks to Representative Chuck Fleischmann (TN–03), who supported our geosynthetic language with the committee. Rep. Fleishmann is on the House Appropriations Committee and is a second–oterm Member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Even better news is that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing & Urban Development (THUD) approved the bill to which this report was attached. It is expected that the full House Appropriations Committee will ratify the subcommittee’s action in the coming days and that the full House will approve the bill before the August Congressional break. GMA will continue to work with Rep. Fleishmann and his staff as the appropriations process moves forward throughout the remainder of the legislative year.

Rep. Fleischmann’s website can be found at fleischmann.house.gov.

We will keep you posted on future developments in this area.

Sincerely,

Andrew M. Aho
Industrial Fabrics Association International
Director of Technical Markets

Source: GMA