The Army Corps of Engineers – famous for creating gigantic “solutions” that have seriously negative environmetnal impacts – will soon be getting some new guidelines.
The White House is rewriting standards for federal water projects, expanding the 26-year-old rules that guide the Army Corps of Engineers in an effort to consider environmental and social goals as well as economic ones.
In a recent Federal Register notice, Christine Glunz, spokeswoman for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said “The administration is considering expanding the scope of the principles and guidelines to cover all federal agencies that undertake water resource projects.”
Though not yet naming which other agencies would fall under the umbrella of new guidelines, it’s likely the list would include the U.S. EPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Agriculture and Interior departments. Agencies that deal indirectly with water issues, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Transportation Department, could also be included.
Glunz said Terry Breyman, a corps official working at CEQ, will spearhead the effort.
Environmentalists are encouraged by the annoucement, but water industry groups aren’t happy.
“If they feel the scope of revising the principles and guidelines ought to be broadened, we would happily support that,” said Howard Marlowe, a lobbyist on coastal issues. “It’s just that’s not what the [2007] law says. We don’t think CEQ has the authority to hijack that process and make that decision on its own.”
As with any bureacratic machination, it’s best to take a “wait and see” attitude.
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