Expanding Federal Support for Predevelopment Activities for Nonfederal Domestic Infrastructure Assets

This memorandum directs federal agencies to expand support for predevelopment activities—such as planning, feasibility studies, and environmental review—for nonfederal domestic infrastructure projects. It requires specific departments to clarify funding eligibility, develop guidance, and submit implementation plans within 60 days to encourage public-private partnerships and innovative infrastructure investment.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 3455

Impact dates

Mar 17, 2015
Implementation plans and best practices guide due to NEC Director

Key directives

Agencies shall actively support nonfederal predevelopment activities with all available tools including grants, technical assistance, and regulatory changes
Commerce/EDA shall increase assistance for predevelopment phase of infrastructure projects
DOT shall develop guidance clarifying predevelopment funding eligibility and early environmental review feedback options
DHS shall clarify Hazard Mitigation Grant Program predevelopment funding availability
HUD shall clarify Community Development Block Grant predevelopment use
USDA shall develop guidance on predevelopment eligibility including training field staff and prioritizing predevelopment
Working Group members from July 2014 memorandum shall clarify program eligibilities
Seven agencies shall develop implementation plans, technical assistance programs, and best practices guide
Plans and guide due to NEC Director no later than 60 days after January 16, 2015
Agencies shall provide regular updates to NEC Director on progress

Timeline

Immediate

Policy declaration that agencies must actively support predevelopment activities
DHS to clarify Hazard Mitigation Grant Program predevelopment eligibility

Near term (90d)

DOT, USDA, and other agencies to develop guidance on predevelopment funding eligibility
Seven agencies to submit implementation plans and best practices guide to NEC Director within 60 days
USDA to train field staff on predevelopment best practices

Long term

Potential shift in infrastructure project pipeline toward more innovative and complex projects
Increased public-private partnerships in infrastructure
Regular progress updates to NEC Director on predevelopment support

Risks & tensions

All directives qualified by 'as permitted by law' and 'consistent with agency mission'—actual implementation depends on existing statutory authority
Explicit non-supplanting clause may limit reach where state/local funding already exists
No new appropriations; relies on existing programs and discretionary agency action
Vague 'regular updates' requirement lacks enforcement mechanism