AP IMPACT: Deficient levees found across America

[SugarShack]

Source: AP

snip:

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Inspectors taking the first-ever inventory of flood control systems overseen by the federal government have found hundreds of structures at risk of failing and endangering people and property in 37 states.

Levees deemed in unacceptable condition span the breadth of America. They are in every region, in cities and towns big and small: Washington, D.C., and Sacramento Calif., Cleveland and Dallas, Augusta, Ga., and Brookport, Ill.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has yet to issue ratings for a little more than 40 percent of the 2,487 structures, which protect about 10 million people. Of those it has rated, however, 326 levees covering more than 2,000 miles were found in urgent need of repair. The problems are myriad: earthen walls weakened by trees, shrubs and burrowing animal holes; houses built dangerously close to or even on top of levees; decayed pipes and pumping stations.

The Associated Press requested, under the Freedom of Information Act, details on why certain levees were judged unacceptable and how many people would be affected in a flood. The Corps declined on grounds that such information could heighten risks of terrorism and sabotage.



Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TROUBLED_LEVEES?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

---

much more at link - think of all of the important jobs here!

[hobbit709]

1. We don't have money for this.

But we have plenty of money for guns and bombs and other toys.

[valerief]

2. Because that makes rich people richer and that's the most important thing in the world. nt

[Myrina]

3. Just think what would happen if Lockheed & Dynagen

...figured out a way to move R&D and Production from weapons to Dams & Levees ...

The country would be surrounded by & covered in cement in under 2 years, I'd bet.

[HereSince1628]

6. Thing is KBR, Bendix, etc have been well situated to exploit this, too.

the Corps of Engineers chooses projects and selects contractors...and the money would certainly be huge.

Waterways are just most appealing as public projects in the wake of disasters. It was disasters back in the 20's that got many of the projects on the mississippi built

[alp227]

9. Most of states vote republican, that is probably why.

Despite this danger the red staters keep voting against their self interests...if that means preventing the next aborted baby or gay marriage.

[Demo_Chris]

4. We don't HAVE to have crumbling infrastructure.

We don't HAVE to have crumbling infrastructure. We could have maintained it. Take it up with the boomers.

[starroute]

5. So if a whistleblower were to release any of the details . . .

They could be charged under the Bradley Manning standard with giving aid to the enemy . . .

Even though knowing whether your house is at risk of being washed away in a flood would seem to be of crucial importance to the people in the danger zones.

Yup, makes perfect sense.

[SCVDem]

7. Maybe repairing levees

is in the JOBS BILL sitting in the house, hopelessly obstructed by the Republicans.

[Demo_Chris]

8. Maybe.