Frank Lautenberg: “Requiring the Corps of Engineers to determine whether potential projects in affected areas can cost-effectively reduce…”

“Requiring the Corps of Engineers to determine whether potential projects in affected areas can cost-effectively reduce flood and storm damage risks before receiving construction authorization is a valuable goal. However, Hurricane Sandy changed the conditions of many projects, which could increase the final cost of those projects. Also, many homes and businesses in flood-prone areas were destroyed. This could lead to a decrease in the value of property protected by proposed projects. Therefore, the combined impact of increased project costs and a reduction in the value of property that would be protected by planned flood control infrastructure could result in a calculation that shows a higher project cost with lower economic benefits. Does the Senator agree that the language regarding the cost-effectiveness of flood and storm damage efforts under consideration for construction authorization is not intended to disqualify projects that could have increased costs and decreased economic benefits as a result of Hurricane Sandy?”