U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' design of flood-control projects, which has been criticized after Hurricane Katrina, would be subject to outside oversight under a measure passed by the U.S. Senate.
The legislation, approved in voice vote, would require a group of engineers, biologists and economists to review the Corps's choice of projects that cost more than $40 million. The panel would be appointed by the Secretary of the Army, which supervises the Corps.
The vote was a victory for environmental and taxpayer groups that pushed for a proposal co-sponsored by Senators Russ Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, and John McCain, an Arizona Republican. The Senate voted to add their amendment to a $12 billion water resources measure and reject one supported by business groups that would have provided more limited oversight.
July 20, 2006 7:42 AM | Category: Politics