The undersigned organizations appreciate the opportunity to provide input on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) proposed expansion of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) Boundary. Our organizations represent a large and diverse cross-section of America’s agriculture, construction, energy, forestry, manufacturing, and mining sectors. Our members are vital to building a thriving national economy and are essential to achieving the nation’s critical infrastructure, supply chain, transportation, and energy goals.

On behalf of the over 500 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I am writing to express our support for the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024).  This legislation will reauthorize much-needed investment in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) projects that aggregates and industrial sand materials are critical components in. NSSGA represents aggregates producers and those who manufacture equipment and services that support the construction industry.

The undersigned trade associations welcome the opportunity to comment on the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) draft memorandum and toolkit regarding “Broadening Public Participation and Community Engagement with the Federal Government.” We appreciate OMB’s efforts to improve engagement in the rulemaking process. Our associations strongly support fostering robust and inclusive public involvement, as it enhances transparency, builds trust, and leads to better-informed policies. We therefore offer the following comments on specific elements of the draft documents. 

On behalf of the 500 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I write to you with our priorities regarding the upcoming expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). NSSGA appreciates the committee's work creating tax teams to study key tax provisions and identify legislation solutions to help families, workers and small businesses. A tax code that encourages investments in infrastructure development and allows families and businesses who operate quarries to create and support high-paying jobs is critical to a growing and sustainable economy.

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) offers the following comments on EPA’s proposed disapproval of the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) provisions for maintenance, startup and shutdown (MSS) provisions for visible emissions and particulate matter.1 NSSGA urges EPA to abandon its proposal as inconsistent with the fundamental principles underlying the Clean Air Act (CAA) and relevant judicial decisions, and to approve the Texas SIP provisions at issue.

On behalf of the over 500 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, I strongly support S. 4235, the Fiscally Responsible Highway Funding Act of 2024. This bipartisan legislation will provide funding certainty for state departments of transportation and help facilitate the construction of our nation’s surface transportation network. We applaud your leadership in introducing this bill and supporting its passage through Congress.

On behalf of the aggregates, cement and concrete industries, we are writing with concerns about S. 2991, America’s Revegetation and Carbon Sequestration Act of 2023. The aggregates, cement and concrete industries supply crucial building materials to every construction project in America, including residential, commercial and public works projects. Our industries have a substantial presence in every state and congressional district in the United States, including 9,500 aggregates facilities, 7,500 ready mixed concrete plants and 95 cement plants cement terminals.

On behalf of the 500 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I write to express our gratitude for the much-needed oversight hearing titled Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Implementation Post-Sackett Decision: Experiences and Perspectives on September 11, 2024. Your attention to this matter is crucial and greatly appreciated. NSSGA represents the aggregates and industrial sand industry, and the companies that manufacture equipment and provide services.

On behalf of the 450 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I write to express our strong support for The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 and urge the Senate to pass it expeditiously. Specifically, we are encouraged to see the legislation restores immediate expensing of domestic research and development expenditures, extends 100 percent bonus depreciation, and extends enhanced interest deductibility.

I write on behalf of the over 450 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) to express our support for your amendment, Palmer #80, to H.R. 8998, the Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025. This amendment, which prohibits funds from being used to implement, administer or enforce the final rule, "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Lime Manufacturing Plants Technology Review," would benefit our industry and we urge the House of Representatives to pass it.