Corps of Engineers August 8, 1999

CASE STUDY OF THE WEEK: REELFOOT RESERVOIR

Congress last week authorized the Corps to construct a new spillway for Reelfoot Reservoir in order to give the Corps more water management flexibility. To learn more about this project, visit http://www.lmm.usace.army.mil/projects/reelfoot/projdesc.htm.

To learn more about Corps of Engineers habitat restoration program, visit http://www.amrivers.org/corpsreform.html.

CONGRESS PASSES WRDA

Congress last week passed the Water Resources Development Act of 1999, which authorizes new projects and set policy for the Corps of Engineers.

Environmental provisions included in the bill were:

• *Increased annual spending for Upper Mississippi River habitat restoration;
• *A new $30 million Missouri River restoration program and expansion of an existing program to buy 118,650 acres of floodplain land;
• *A new 5-year, $200 million floodplain relocation and restoration program;
• *Planning reforms to aid consideration of non-structural flood control projects;
• *Removal of Embrey Dam on the Rappahannock River;
• *The Rio Salado restoration project in Phoenix;
• *No dam on the American River in California;
• *New ecosystem restoration projects for the Indian River (FL), Little Wekiva River (FL),
• Grand Batture Island (MS), River Des Peres (MO), Reelfoot Lake (TN), Hudson River (NY), Blackstone River (RI), and others; and
• *New watershed management projects in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Nevada, Oregon, North Carolina, and other states.

To view the Water Resources Development Act of 1999, visit http://www.thomas.loc.gov and type in H.R. 1480.

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS

The Energy and Water Subcommittees of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have begun to reconcile competing versions of the Energy and Water Appropriations Bills for FY 2000, which provide annual funding for the Corps. Both House and Senate versions cut funding for Corps habitat restoration programs. To learn more and find out what you can do, visit http://www.amrivers.org/rbudget.html

CORPS REFORM WHITE PAPER

Conservation and taxpayer groups met in Louisiana in March to develop a national strategy and network to reform the 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.

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