WASHINGTON -- The Senate began debating a bill Tuesday to set federal policy for federal flood control and harbor maintenance projects with a strong defense by the bill's authors over criticism it shortchanges environmental review. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., whose environmental credentials are generally unchallenged, stood by a compromise she reached with Sen. David Vitter, R-La., for a streamlined...
WASHINGTON -- The Senate began debating a bill Tuesday to set federal policy for federal flood control and harbor maintenance projects with a strong defense by the bill's authors over criticism it shortchanges environmental review.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., whose environmental credentials are generally unchallenged, stood by a compromise she reached with Sen. David Vitter, R-La., for a streamlined review process of the projects. It has generated criticism from environmental groups and the Obama administration with complaints it might advance Army Corps of Engineers projects that harm the environment.
Boxer, the chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said the deal she struck with Vitter, the panel's top Republican, will continue all of the current environmental oversight of corps projects. "All these laws stay in place," Boxer said.
But she said that she found Vitter's arguments about long delays in moving needed flood control and hurricane protection projects in Louisiana compelling.
Boxer conceded the Obama administration "doesn't like it." She's also being criticized by environmental groups that have long praised her environmental record.
Environmentalists said they fear it would allow the corps to move questionable projects, such as the now closed Mississippi River Gulf Outlet that contributed directly to the devastating flooding during Hurricane Katrina.
Of her negotiations with Vitter, whose view of the regulatory approach of the Obama administration as cumbersome is contrary to her own position, Boxer said:
"We had our moments. ... We never got up in anger. We never left the table." She praised Vitter for working cooperatively with her.
Vitter returned the compliments and defended the bill he helped craft with Boxer.
"We had discussions right out of the box and came to the agreement that we're not going to lower the bar about environmental review," Vitter said. "We're not going to substantively change any environmental or other requirements. What we are going to do is just make sure, whatever agencies are involved, they do their work in a timely expeditious way. And that has to start the Corps of Engineers."
Vitter and Boxer said they reached a compromise with some members of the Senate Appropriations Committee who had previously complained that the bill would automatically fund dredging and other navigational projects, taking away the authority of lawmakers. Instead of that provision, Boxer and Vitter got a letter from key Appropriations Committee members promising to use more money from a waterways trust fund on navigation projects.
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., said Tuesday that she'll offer an amendment to the water resources bill that would block premium increases for the federal flood insurance program until the Federal Emergency Management Agency conducts an affordability study and there's adequate time to review the results.
The higher rates were authorized by Congress last year, with members saying they wanted the program to be more self-supporting.
"I have been warning about these increases for some time and calling on FEMA to address these rate increases for nearly a year. We don't have time to wait for FEMA - we need to stop these rate increases now," Landrieu said. "Families and businesses in Louisiana are already paying exorbitant rates for flood insurance and some could see those rates go up dramatically under these proposals."