WHAT'S NEW?
1. CONGRESS ORGANIZING CORPS REFORM CAUCUS -- first caucus organizational meeting expected to take place soon so get on the phone with your member/legislative assistant, please. (Congressional switchboard: 202-224-3121)
Get Your Representatives Talking!
Urge your Member of Congress to join in the dialogue of a new HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES corps reform caucus!
Background:
Six House members [Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), Tom Tancredo (R-CO), John Shadegg (R-AZ), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Ellen Tauscher (D-CA)] are seeking support to launch a Corps Reform Caucus that would ensure that the construction projects of the Army Corps of Engineers are environmentally sensitive and less wasteful of taxpayers' dollars. The stated mission of the caucus would be to provide a forum for interested members of Congress to work together toward a financially and scientifically accountable Army Corps of Engineers.
When in action, the Army Corps Reform Caucus hopes to hold briefings and information sessions on Army Corps issues, gain support for legislative and regulatory initiatives that serve to promote and enhance the Army Corps' services, and act as a clearinghouse for the sharing of ideas and legislation between Members and interest groups.
TAKE ACTION NOW! Visit:
www.americanrivers.org/takeaction
To learn more about efforts to reform the Army Corps, visit
http://www.amrivers.org/template2.asp?cat=2&page=267&id=225&filter=-1
Contact Kelly Miller at kmiller@amrivers.org or 202-347-7550 x3008 with questions.
2. SNAKE RIVER DAMS VIOLATE CLEAN WATER ACT (from AP)
A federal court ruled Friday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's operation of four Snake River dams violates the Clean Water Act, a decision that could cost the agency millions of dollars to modify the dams to protect endangered salmon. The U.S. District Court in Portland ordered the Corps to find ways - within 60 days - to lower water temperatures behind the dams to protect the river's water quality and threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead.
Friday's ruling will force the Corps to make operational or structural changes to bring the dams into compliance with the clean water law. Structural modifications, including changes to the way water is sent over dams, could cost millions, based on federal estimates. Environmental groups are supporting removal of four Lower Snake River dams to bring the Corps into compliance with the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
To learn more about Snake River dams and endangered salmon, visit www.americanrivers.org/snake
3. GREEN SCISSORS 2001 REPORT TO BE RELEASED TODAY, THURSDAY FEBRUARY
Friends of the Earth, Taxpayers for Common Sense, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group will release the Green Scissors 2001 report tomorrow in Washington, DC and in more than a dozen sites across the country. The new report endorsed by a coalition of 24 environmental, taxpayer, and consumer groups details 74 federal programs whose elimination could protect the environment and save taxpayers $55 billion. 14 of these projects and programs entail wasteful spending and operations by the Army Corps of Engineers.
For view the Green Scissors Report, visit
http://www.greenscissors.org/
4. UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NAVIGATION STUDY SCANDAL UPCOMING EVENTS
TONIGHT!! On Thursday, February 22, 2001, NBC Nightly News will air a "Fleecing of America" segment about the Upper Mississippi River Navigation Study, featuring senior Corps economist Don Sweeney. Sweeney filed a whistleblower last February alleging that Corps economists were ordered to cook the books to justify the $1.2 billion lock expansion project.
The complaint resulted in numerous investigations, including an investigation by the Office of Special Counsel and the Army's Inspector General that substantiated many of Sweeney's claims. The National Academy of Sciences is completing review of the Corps' economic and environmental analysis as well. The NAS report is expected to be released this Monday, February 26, 2001.
For more information on the whistleblower complaint, visit
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/programs/Ecosystems/Mississippi/
For more information on the OSC/IG investigation findings, visit
http://www.osc.gov/armyroi.htm
http://www.osc.gov/documents/osc_d8.pdf
For more information on the Upper Mississippi River Navigation Study,
visit http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/pdw/nav_study.htm
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