Hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee - Examining the President's Proposed Fiscal Year 2009 Budget for the Civil Works Program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Implementation of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

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SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN): Thank you, Madam Chairwoman, for holding this important hearing and thank you for being here. It is important to have these hearings, because the budget is more than just numbers, it's also an expression of the value of our country. And the Water Resources Development Act Of 2007 authorized $23 million for projects around the country, projects that protect state environments, economies and basic needs such as drinking waters.

I am disappointed that the president's budget provided almost no funding for these projects. So just to give you a few examples from my own state of Minnesota, these projects would help communities like Roseau, Minnesota, which suffered massive flooding just a few years ago, build a flood mitigation system to prevent future devastation or help the city of Willmar build a waste water treatment plant or fund navigational improvements in the port of Duluth where lake levels are record lows because of climate change.

These projects would provide for continued economic growth, job creation and economic stability while protecting human lives and ensuring reliable transportation of goods. I was proud to join 78 of my colleagues in casting my vote to override the president's veto of WRDA last year. The overwhelming bipartisan nature of that override speaks volumes about the critical nature of these projects.

I firmly believe that we need to change priorities in this country, I am a believer in rolling back some of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest, you know, people making over $200,000 a year, maybe that's because a bridge fell down in the middle of our state. And we understand more poignantly that many of them need to invest in infrastructure proactively.

Investing in our national infrastructure is one of the most efficient means of creating jobs and stimulating the economy. Each billion dollars invested in infrastructure creates upwards of 47,000 new jobs and up to $6 billion in additional revenues. That's why I'm very concerned that the Corps' construction account and the Corps' investigation account were dramatically reduced below what Congress appropriated in 2008.

These low funding levels continue to exacerbate problems in our infrastructure while doing nothing to stimulate our economy. So I look forward to working with my colleagues in the coming months to start filling the serious investment gap in our nation's infrastructure. A gap of filling will mean so much more for our safety and for our economy, thank you Madam Chair.

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SEN. KLOBUCHAR: I am sure I'll make you smile again. Mr. Woodley, in your written testimony you mentioned that the budget for the emergency management program includes $40 million in the flood control and coastal emergencies account to fund preparing for flood and coastal emergency.

And specifically you mentioned that this funding would cover review and updating of emergency response plans. Back in Minnesota several counties were devastated this summer. I was there the day afterward it was unbelievable, house floating by.

In last summer's flooding and are still -- these counties are still preparing their emergency response plan. They have been very complicated for the small counties to handle, and so some of these communities such as the ones in Plumas County get their emergency response plan approved, they cannot receive certain small business rebuilding loans from FEMA.

Does the Corps intent to prioritize any funds in the flood control and emergency account for helping communities who have not fully prepared emergency response plans?

MR. WOODLEY: Senator, I am not aware of how those funds are used in conjunction with the localities.

I might -- and so I'll have to research that and get back to you.

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: Okay. If you could, it's just been very difficult for them, they are trying to cross all the t's and dot all the i's, but what's been happening is they can't receive these small business loans that I have been at these stores in these places along their main street. And they literally have been -- every business was devastated. And so that's what they are trying to get help with that. So we can work with your office on that later, I appreciate.

The other thing, I am just following up on what Senator Voinovich asked about with the Great Lakes, could you just tell me what work the Corps is doing with these lake levels. We are very concerned with Lake Superior and -- (inaudible) -- at it's at level in 80 years, it's been affecting our barge traffic.

We believe it is climate change because ice has been melting and the water evaporating, but nevertheless it's a problem. So could you eliminate what the Corps is doing in that regard?

MR. WOODLEY: Okay. You'll take that. (Off mike.)

LT. GEN. ANTWERP: You begin then I'll take --

MR. WOODLEY: Okay. Well, now, I can tell you that -- our work on that is done in conjunction with the International Joint Commission on the Great Lakes. And so we have -- we deal with the IJC on regulating lake levels where they are to be regulated.

The other significant action that is underway in that regard is the St. Clair River study that we are trying to do to determine whether the work that's been -- the dredging that's been undertaken in the St. Clair river area is having a hydrological effect. It was unintended there, and it is not clear whether it is.

We are -- and so we have work underway with IJC, to determine that. But we you know recognize that the lake levels are down, and it is having an effect on operations across the basin.

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: Okay. Thank you. I talked in my opening comments about how the -- I believe the administration's budget is far below the Corps capability for investment in navigation flood damage reduction environmental restoration programs. I mentioned some of the work that needs to be done in Minnesota. And Assistant Secretary, it would be what amount you believe the Corps could effectively invest in FY 2009?

LT. GEN. ANTWERP: Well, I don't know that I have a particular figure, Senator, but I -- it is well in excess in the construction account of the amount that we were able to devote to that in the president's budget.

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: Thank you.

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