Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />seeking opportunities for growth. It is widely known that growth opportunities were one of the <br />three main principles in a "strategic vision" he established for the agency, urging the staff to <br />"market and capitalize on opportunities for mission growth,... to continuously scan the horizon at <br />all levels for emerging trends, challenges and opportunities,... [and] to target new work that <br />promotes core competencies." <br /> <br />In response, a number of senators attached a rider to the farm budget bill last week to <br />block all future efforts to reform management practices at the Corps. These senators, including <br />Senators Stevens (R-Alaska), Domenici (R-New Mexico), Warner (R-Virginia) and Smith (R- <br />New Hampshire) support a continued "project-building orientation" for the Corps and have <br />opposed Secretary Caldera's "reforms" designed to bring the Corps under civilian control. <br /> <br />Water Resource Development Act of 2000: While we stay tuned on the administrative <br />reform question, officials from the Corps have approached us about supporting authorization and <br />funding for a river restoration program in the proposed Water Resource Development Act of <br />2000. The "WRDA" has traditionally been a biennial legislative package to update and extend <br />funding for a broad range of civil works functions. On March 22, the House Transportation and <br />Infrastructure Committee's Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee took testimony <br />from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of <br />2000. The hearing also addressed current Corps policies and programs, and allegations some <br />Corps officials may have embellished the economic benefits of projects. <br /> <br />Corps officials indicate that they have had difficulty meeting the cost/benefit <br />requirements under existing river restoration programs, particularly in the urban setting. The <br />also indicate their intention to include statutory assurances that urban river restoration priorities <br />and management project implementation would be left to the community leader. As I have <br />discussed this with other state and local agencies that have worked previously with the Corps, <br />retaining control over local project direction seems to have been a major concern. As soon as we <br />obtain copies of the proposed program authorization, we will distribute it to you. However, it <br />goes without saying that funding for this ambitious program remains uncertain. There are many <br />in Congress who would prefer to save the federal taxpayers money! <br /> <br />If you know of communities and "urban river corridors" that might benefit from a <br />substantial infusion of federal funding, we are very interested in making contact and collecting <br />information about their plans. The City and County of Denver has participated heavily in <br />supporting the urban river restoration program as one of the most viable means to implement <br />stream channel and recreational improvements to the South Platte River Channel as it flows <br />through the metropolitan area. Many other local governments have joined Denver in this effort. <br /> <br />Storm Water Permits: On March 30, the EP A proposed to re-issue a multi-sector, <br />"general" Storm Water Permit applying to storm water discharges from 29 sectors of industrial <br />activity to protect water quality in rivers, lakes, wetlands and marine waters. These permits are <br />proposed under the Clean Water Act's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System <br />(NPDES), that controls storm water discharges within eight EPA Regions (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, that's <br />us, 9 and 10) where EP A is the permitting authority. There is an existing general permit, but it <br />expires on September 29, 2000. The permit was published in the Federal Register on March 30, <br />and will be followed by a 60-day public comment period. <br /> <br />3 <br />