Flood Washington

The Gulf Restoration Network:

Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finally admitted failures in the design of New Orleans flood walls. Lt. Gen. Carl Strock told a Senate Subcommittee,"We have now concluded we had problems with the design of the structure. We had hoped that wasn't the case, but we recognize it is the reality."

Experts from the National Science Foundation countered that potential problems have been known for some time. They cite a 1986 corps study that warned of just such floodwall failures. As New Orleans rebuilds, we must ensure that the nation learns the lessons of Katrina and that the possibility for future, similar Corps' mistakes is addressed.

Legislation to do just that was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate. Called the Water Resources Planning and Modernization Act of 2006 (S. 2288), the bill will update the Corps project-planning guidelines, require a strong independent review process, improve wetland management, and shift the Corps' priorities away from pork-barrel projects.

Please take a moment to urge your Senators to support this important legislation, and then urge five friends to send the message as well.

Visit the Gulf Restoration Network to send your message.