Schwarzenegger FIRES Flood Control Panel: Resisting Development at Levees

[DeepModem Mom]

Schwarzenegger Fires Flood Control Panel
The state Reclamation Board had begun resisting development along vulnerable levees.

By Nancy Vogel, Times Staff Writer


SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday fired all six members of the state Reclamation Board, an agency that oversees flood control along California's two biggest rivers and had recently become more aggressive about slowing development on flood plains.

The Republican governor replaced the members — who serve indefinite terms at the governor's pleasure — with seven of his own appointees, most with ties to agriculture and the engineering profession. One board seat had been vacant since spring.

Five of the fired members had been appointed by Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat, and one had first been appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson, a Republican, then reappointed by Davis....

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When Hurricane Katrina breached levees and flooded New Orleans a month ago, the board voted to review all urban development plans proposed for Central Valley flood plains — a power it has long held but only occasionally used.

Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Julie Soderlund said the appointments had been in the works for "quite some time to ensure the most qualified individuals were chosen."...


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-levees28sep28,0,7728618.story?coll=la-home-local