Kaptur Statement at Hearing on Army Corps of Engineers

March 26, 2014
Press Release
Kaptur Statement at Hearing on Army Corps of Engineers

Assistant Secretary Darcy and General Bostick, we appreciate you appearing before the Subcommittee this afternoon.

The last several years have been busy ones for the Corps—between Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, droughts, tornados, and flooding in the Mississippi and Missouri River Basins, you have had much to do. Let’s hope that the year ahead of us is less full of surprises.

The Corps’ response to these events demonstrates the important and vital role the Corps plays in our nation’s ability to prevent and respond to natural disasters. We are all very thankful for the Corps’ efforts in this regard. However, these events draw attention to the significant cost borne by the government, and ultimately the taxpayer, in the initial response and long-term reconstruction efforts.

We will never be able to entirely prevent damage from catastrophic natural disasters, yet there is every indication that such events will become more frequent and more severe. Therefore, we must begin to address the long-term sustainability of our nation’s infrastructure. We cannot continue to under-invest in the short-term and pay several times over in the long-term, recovering from damages that could be mitigated with proper front-end investment.

With this budget request, it seems that historical patterns in budgeting for the Corps persist, as the request continues this disinvestment. The request cuts 32% from the Construction account and includes a 17% reduction overall. In the constrained budget environment in which we currently find ourselves, I have doubts as to whether Congress will again be able to augment funding for these critical activities.

Finally, and most importantly, as a Great Lakes legislator, I would like to take this opportunity to address the Corps on its efforts to prevent the spread of Asian carp as well as Great Lakes dredging needs. I continue to share the grave concerns of my constituents on this imposing threat to our Lakes.

The Corps recently concluded a study on the threat that the Asian carp pose to the Great Lakes and on strategies to address that threat. While the study was a step forward, it seems only a small step in relation to the gravity of the problem. Lake Erie has one of the largest freshwater fisheries in the United States and thus, the threat of Asian carp is especially menacing. I am disappointed that the Corps did not recommend a course of action in its study. I expect that today you can explain to us what you plan to do to advance this important issue.

The dredging needs of the Great Lakes are not being met and resources are woefully inadequate, to state the obvious as delicately as possible. Great Lakes ports are critical to the regional and national economy—moving raw materials, agricultural commodities, and industrial products to support heavy manufacturing, construction, and energy capabilities. We must keep these ports open for business. Further, the Great Lakes must be understood as a system; individual ports cannot be assessed in a vacuum. I expect that today you will speak to how you are responding to these pressing needs.

I look forward to your testimony and thank the Chairman for the time.  

113th Congress