Large-scale flood research projects have been temporarily suspended by the Army Corps.
The Army Corps of Engineers is currently assessing a potential shift in direction for its flood control projects, as indicated by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Adam Telle, during a hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
According to Telle's statement, the Corps may be considering a move away from nonstructural flood reduction projects, which typically involve elevating home foundations, sealing building walls, relocating properties, and voluntary home buyouts. These projects, while effective in reducing the consequences of flooding, are generally not in keeping with the Corps' tradition of building infrastructure for entire communities.
The Corps has paused work on future flood control projects that primarily use nonstructural components. However, it is still pursuing some nonstructural projects and is also exploring flood reduction projects that are structural in nature but incorporate some nonstructural features.
This potential shift could have significant implications for coastal communities, particularly those threatened by sea level rise. The Corps' focus may shift towards infrastructure projects that protect entire communities, such as dams, levees, and seawalls.
The affected coastal areas where the Corps is currently working with structural raft regulation systems that include both structural and non-structural features are the coastal regions of Louisiana and Texas in the United States.
Telle's statement also suggested that the Corps intends to evaluate whether nonstructural flood reduction projects are the best use of its resources. The evaluation could determine the future direction of flood control projects, potentially leading to a shift towards structural infrastructure projects.
The pause in work on future flood control projects could also affect coastal communities threatened by sea level rise. The change in the direction of flood control projects could have significant implications for the future of flood control strategies in these communities.
However, the Corps' pursuit of structural flood reduction projects that incorporate nonstructural features could signal a more balanced approach to flood control, taking into account both the need for large-scale infrastructure and the importance of individual property protection.
As the evaluation progresses, it will be important to monitor the Corps' decisions and their potential impact on coastal communities. The Corps' decision could shape the future of flood control strategies in these areas for years to come.
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