Keeping Our Heads Above Water, Literally
Posted in ICYMI, Press Releases Posted by Administrator on Mar 08, 2010The Hill
By Rep. Rodney Alexander
March 5, 2010
“An issue quickly becoming a national concern is the current state of our levee systems. From coast to coast, several levee systems are aging and in serious need of an overhaul…
When many hear the word levee, it is sometimes easily dismissed as a term central to Louisiana. However, levee certification is not Louisiana centric. Instead, it is national concern given that more than 43 percent of Americans live in areas sheltered by levees. Despite these numbers, the nation’s flood-protection system has continued to be hindered by bureaucratic red tape and insufficient congressional funding…
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has already determined that numerous levees throughout the country do not meet the new regulations of withstanding a 100-year flood level and will not be certified…
As a result, hundreds of thousands of residents, many of whom are already struggling during this tough economic climate, will be forced to pay even higher premiums and purchase costly insurance through the National Flood Insurance Plan…
Representing one of the most rural congressional districts, I know that few residents will be able to afford the price tag of this mandatory insurance…
[F]orcing people to purchase flood insurance is not providing security. A true safety measure would be to end the neglect that our levee systems have faced for years and properly fund their maintenance.
Instead of agencies trying to shirk responsibility and place blame on local municipalities, the federal government should invest in our national infrastructure…
The [Congressional Levee Caucus] will serve as an informal, bipartisan group of Members dedicated to preserving the nation’s levee systems and defending those individuals whom levees guard…
Going forward, we will continue to work to provide legislative solutions that will make certain our levees are strong and capable of protecting homes and businesses from the 100-year flood level…
We need to take critical precautions today to make sure our communities are not vulnerable to the storms of tomorrow. Congressional precedence must be given to guarantee that the integrity of the levees, the safety of the people, and the sustainability of the towns are protected.”