CORPS REFORM UPDATE -- July 7, 1999

CASE STUDY OF THE WEEK: Tulsa

The City of Tulsa rejected levees and dams in favor of relocation, trails, and greenways. To learn more, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.amrivers.org/floodcase.html#the

To learn more about non-structural alternatives to levees and dams, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.amrivers.org/flood.html

To read a recent article, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.nwf.org/natlwild/1999/endflood.html

MISSOURI RIVER RESTORATION BILL INTRODUCED IN SENATE

Senators Bob Kerrey (D-NE), Tom Daschle (D-SD), and Tim Johnson (D-SD) introduced a bill creating a $320 million program to restore wildlife habitat and revitalize riverfronts.

To view the bill, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://thomas.loc.gov and type S. 1279.

Everglades Restoration Plan Unveiled

The Clinton Administration unveiled a $7.8 billion plan to restore natural flows to the Everglades. To learn more, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.audubon.org/campaign/er

HABITAT RESTORATION FUNDING IN JEOPARDY

The Senate cut funding for several habitat restoration funding programs, including habitat restoration programs for the Columbia, Upper Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.

To learn more and find out what you can do, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.amrivers.org/rbudget.html

More than 100 conservation groups joined testimony supporting federal funding for Army Corps of Engineers habitat restoration program and projects. To view the testimony, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.amrivers.org/corpsactionappropdoc.html

To send a letter, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.amrivers.org/corpsactionpackardletter.html

To learn more about Corps restoration programs, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.amrivers.org/corpsauthorities.html

NEW WETLAND PERMIT REGULATIONS TO BE RELEASED

The Corps will soon release proposed regulations for Nationwide Permit 26, which would allow small wetlands to be filled with minimal review. To learn more, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.audubon.org/campaign/wetland/action.html

CORPS TO MAKE FINAL DECISION ON VA RESERVOIR PROPOSAL

On June 4, Colonel Allan Carroll, Norfolk District Engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers, released a preliminary finding regarding the 12.1 billion-gallon King William Reservoir proposal by the Newport News Waterworks and denied the permit request based on lack of need. The proposed reservoir would have destroyed 437 acres of forested wetlands, desecrated Indian cultural and burial sites, and endangered the Mattaponi River and the Tribe's subsistence fishing.

The Corps has granted an extension through July 16 for additional public comment on the recommendation to deny the permit. Newport News Waterworks and area officials hope to change the Corps mind. To learn more about what you can do, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.amrivers.org/mattaponi-action.html or contact or contact Ellen Powers, Sierra Club of Virginia, at 804-225-9113 or ellen.powers@sierraclub.org OR send online mail right now to: Ellen Powers.

WRDA PASSES IN HOUSE AND SENATE

Both the House and Senate have approved versions of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (WRDA), which authorizes new Corps of Engineers projects and sets new flood control, navigation, and environmental policy.

To view each bill, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://thomas.loc.gov and type in S. 507 or H.R. 1480.

To learn more about the concerns of some environmental groups, visit (Select the following to go to:) http://www.foe.org/act/e4e33wrda.html

CORPS REFORM WHITE PAPER

Conservation and taxpayer groups met in Louisiana in March to develop a national strategy and network to reform the Army Corps of Engineers. In the coming months, we will be developing an internal document that will discuss key issues and develop national strategies. Subjects will include flood control, environmental restoration, navigation, ports and beaches. If you would like to be involved in the development of this document, please contact smcdowell@amrivers.org.

Suzy McDowell
Outreach Coordinator
American Rivers
1025 Vermont Ave, NW, #720
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-7550 x3040
smcdowell@amrivers.org OR send online mail right now to: Suzy McDowell



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