The District has the power to apply for and accept grants, loans, or appropriations from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof to be used for any of the purposes of the District and to enter into agreements with the federal government in relation to those grants, loans, or appropriations.
     The District may petition the administrative, judicial, and legislative body of any federal, state, municipal, or local authority having jurisdiction in the premises, for the adoption and execution of any physical improvement, change in method or system of handling freight, warehousing, docking, lightering, and transfer of freight, which in the opinion of the District is designed to improve the handling of commerce in and through the District or improve terminal or transportation facilities therein.