Earl Blumenauer: “the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina taught us again the importance of investing in our Nation's water infrastructure. While…”

“the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina taught us again the importance of investing in our Nation's water infrastructure. While I believe that significant changes need to be made in the operations and management of the Army Corps of Engineers, I support this legislation which acknowledges the lack of prioritization process for Corps projects. I support language in the bill that directs the National Academy of Public Administration to study and recommend factors to be used in determining the allocation of the Corps' limited resources. I also strongly support funding contained in the bill that will benefit my constituents and the Pacific Northwest environment. I appreciate the funding included for floodplain restoration on Johnson Creek, which will enable the Corps to undertake a cost-effective environmental improvement within an area slated for industrial development and will help leverage private development by proactively addressing important stream corridor needs. I am also pleased that the conferees chose to fund an energy conservation program at the Armory Theater in Portland and a Solar Photovoltaic Test Facility System at Portland State University. The conference report also contains important funding, although not nearly the amount necessary, for the St. Johns Landfill Dike Stabilization, which will help prevent municipal and industrial waste from contaminating sensitive wetlands.…”