The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) advocacy efforts are guided by climate change and resilience as well as equity and environmental justice. The list that follows is a collection of the legislation ASLA is currently advocating. All bills are accompanied by a description that is published by ASLA and then edited for space.
https://www.asla.org/governmentaffairs.aspx

Green Infrastructure Works
Economic vitality, homeland security, quality of life, and natural ecosystems all rely on ample, clean water. Landscape architects help communities large and small manage their stormwater with innovative green infrastructure solutions, such as green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales, and pervious pavements. ASLA urges policymakers to support strategies that reduce stormwater runoff and improve our nation's water supply.

The Water Resources Development Act
The ASLA supports the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that promotes sustainable water infrastructure projects, that also address climate change impacts and environmental justice.

This bill supports water infrastructure projects, studies, and policies that address wastewater; stormwater runoff; flood control; sea-level rise; damaged shorelines and natural landscape protection; storm damage and extreme weather risks; open and recreational space preservation; ecosystem restoration; and nature-based solutions.
The Living Shorelines Act
ASLA supports legislation that protects coastal communities from risks to human health and safety, including damage to property, infrastructure, and ecosystems associated with climate change.

The measure would create two federal grant programs through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The first program will assist states, localities, and NGOs in constructing living shorelines projects. The second program will provide federal research grants for the study of living shoreline development and effectiveness. Together, these programs will better protect coastal communities and ecosystems.

Clean Infrastructure Revolving Act
The ASLA supports legislation that increases authorized funding for federal clean water programs, including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).

It would not only authorize CWSRF over the next five years but would also increase the allowable funding amounts to $40 billion for the same time.

In addition to the five-year reauthorization, this legislation authorizes up to $20 billion in federal CWSRF grants over those five years. This legislation would create a $1 billion pilot program to address wet weather discharge through the promotion of integrated water resource management. It also authorizes an additional $1 billion for community grants to maintain and update their combined stormwater and wastewater management infrastructure.

 

Water Infrastructure Improvement Act
ASLA supports legislation that will increase resources for and strengthen green infrastructure projects related to water projects such as dams, levees, and stormwater systems. Landscape architects use green infrastructure and low-impact development projects to provide communities tangible, cost-effective solutions to address water management needs. The bill also establishes, within the EPA's Office of the Administrator, an Office of the Municipal Ombudsman to provide technical assistance to municipalities to comply with federal water pollution and safe drinking water laws and to provide information about available federal
financial assistance.

Transportation Planning and Design
Landscape architects help communities by designing multi-use transportation corridors that accommodate all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, people with disabilities, and people who use public transportation. These multi-use transportation systems reduce reliance on a single-use automotive transport, which in turn reduces traffic, improves air quality, and promotes a sustainable way of life.

America's Transportation
Infrastructure Act
ASLA promotes legislation that advances active transportation while considering the safety of all users, use of natural infrastructure, and protection of the natural and built environments from the effects of climate change through resiliency.

This is the first step in reauthorizing all federal surface transportation programs and their spending levels. This legislation would increase highway spending levels by 27 percent to $287 billion over five years.

Complete Streets Act
This legislation would require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, states, and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to adopt design standards for federal surface transportation projects that provide for the safe and adequate accommodation of all users of the surface transportation network, including motorized and non-motorized users, in all phases of project planning, development, and operation.

Transportation Alternatives
Enhancement Act
This advocates for active transportation such as bicycle and pedestrian projects while advancing the Federal Highway Administration's Transportation Alternatives program. This legislation would increase funding for the TA program to approximately $1.2 billion. The bill would allow local communities greater access to the program by having states utilize 34 percent of their TA funding for the state-run grant program and distributing 66 percent of TA funding to local communities.

Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act
ASLA supports the National Scenic Byways Program to recognize, protect, and promote selected roads throughout the United States.

The Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act of 2019 directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to request nominations for roads to be designated under the National Scenic Byways Program. The secretary is also responsible for determining which roads receive certain designations.

Housing and Community Development
Landscape architects design and plan projects in all areas within the housing realm. Additionally, landscape architects work on large-scale community development plans and creating more livable and walkable neighborhoods. As many areas see massive redevelopment there are opportunities for landscape architects to create
sustainable housing.

Environmental Justice for All Act
The Environmental Justice for All Act would create new federal opportunities that landscape architects can access to help create outdoor recreation spaces in underserved communities. It also aims to strengthen environmental planning standards, public participation in new project development, legal remediation for past environmental injustices, and executive agency environmental impact reporting.

Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act
The ASLA supports legislation that helps mitigate the impacts of climate change, using green-infrastructure and nature-based solutions such as green roofs, tree planting, bus and transit shelters, and other
cooling techniques.

This bill would help bring proven solutions to communities nationwide specifically, the measure would establish a grant program to provide communities with access to solutions that help mitigate some of the impacts of climate-induced high temperatures, including green roofs and other cooling techniques.

Community Development Block Grants
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

Licensure Advocacy
The American Society of Landscape Architects believes that the licensure of the practice of landscape architecture in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories is essential to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

The practice of landscape architecture should only be performed by, and the titles "landscape architect" and "landscape architectural" should only be used by, licensed individuals as defined, titled, and governed by enacted licensure requirements.