Is It too Late for a Sense of Urgency?

"Sense of Urgency Grips Coastal Restoration Summit", reads the headline in Thursday's New Orleans Times-Picayune. The story, about a summit of scientists and state officials, as well as reps from the Army Corps of Engineers, came to the point quickly:

The summit was prompted by repeated demands by a number of influential coastal scientists and state restoration officials that the Corps of Engineers speed up efforts to include very large diversions of water from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers in its plans for coastal restoration.

Without such diversions, the Mississippi, leveed by the Corps, will continue to dump its sediment deep into the Gulf of Mexico, and the coastal wetlands of Louisiana -- which historically have acted as a buffer against the severity of hurricanes -- will continue their recent erosion at the rate of a football field each hour. Yet, the Corps appears poised to deliver a required report to Congress that lacks clear recommendations for actions to be taken, instead offering a Chinese menu of possible approaches -- meaning the promise of more delay before the wetlands stop eroding.

And there is a real danger in delay:

Some of the nation's leading coastal scientists have come to consensus recently that the state may have less than a decade to launch major coastal restoration projects -- before the erosion advances to the point where it can't realistically or cost-effectively be stopped.

The causes of the erosion are clear: years of building canals and pipelines across the wetlands to service the offshore oil industry, as well as the walling off of the river which once replenished the land. The means to reverse the process are equally well known. All that's missing is...a sense of urgency.

Let's see...since the Army Corps is part of the Federal government, what could possibly imbue it with the sense of urgency? Some nudging from the White House, perhaps? Is any attention left to deal with the causes and consequences of a disaster caused by the faulty design and construction of a federally built levee system and federally sanctioned structures that have promoted wetlands erosion? To all those Obama supporters who, when I would point out his tepid and vague commitments to New Orleans, said, "Give him some time" , I ask, have we waited until the window -- for money, for attention, for commitment -- has slammed shut?

Comments

[antispin]

Hey - just saw this nifty MIT designed, in part, on something they call the Chakhan (sp?) house of NO. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82_6cH6JXHU

[twogunmojo]

its too late.... mr. shearer: take a look at the number of posts on the ill. preacher who was shot and killed...and now look at the number you have...how many people where shot and killed in nola in the last 7 days...and not one word from you or huffpo about it...i tried to post about mayor nagin and his violation of the citizens of nola 2nd amendment rights but i guess it is just as unimportant to you and huffpo as saving the city of nola is to me...

[tarlipps]

Harry, how long will it take to purge the government of the bureaucrats that Bush&co hired? The ones that believe the best government is the one that does nothing unless it's good for the rich or powerful. America has a hangover from the last 8 years we are pissed off dazed and confused looking around at the mess and now we want someone to fix it. It's time for a real serious game of "Connect The Dots" .

[GardenerNorCal]

"The causes of the erosion are clear: years of building canals and pipelines across the wetlands to service the offshore oil industry, as well as the walling off of the river which once replenished the land. "

What about making the offshore oil industry pay for the damage they are responsible for inflicting?

[Harry Shearer - Huffpost Blogger]

And what level of government would you suggest could take on that task?

[gage]

Actually, all of America, including you, owes a debt to Louisiana. That's where a huge concentration of both production and refining takes place, so wealthy NIMBYs in places like CA and MA don't have their delicate sensibilities offended. That car you drive runs on oil, and your computer is made of it as well.

[theistus]

Yes, all of America should appreciate Louisiana, I'm there right now as a matter of fact, and I like it quite a bit! The oil & gas industry also has it's share of blame, but they are NOT the primary reason for the erosion of the mississippi delta. Most of the blame for that goes further up the river in states as far north as Minnesota, and even Canada. Farming techniques, river management techniques, etc., have all meant that Louisiana is being washed out into the gulf, and we've known it for over 20 years.

But please, CA has a TON of refining and production capacity of it's own. There are oil derricks in the middle of Los Angeles, and a lot of off shore platforms. So spare me the "delicate sensibilities" holier than thou stuff. If MA doesn't have much refining capacity because, hey guess what, they don't have any production either, because there's no oil there. Production and refining tend by be regional in nature for very good reasons.

So, how about instead we talk about actually doing something for the great state of Louisiana that we should appreciate so much? We've known for over 20 years about the erosion and environmental destruction that was occurring, and the danger it represented, yet did nothing. Are we doing to do something now? I'm not about to go blaming the oil & gas ind

[BeachBubbaTex]

I'm glad you wrote about this, Mr. Shearer, and I share your sense of urgency.

While a word from Obama would be nice, isn't there a more appropriate official to contact to get this the attention it deserves?

My guess is that we're ALL going to need to get a lot more pro-active (in both informing our government that we care and in offering feedback); not every emergency is going to get an Obama or Colbert bounce.

[Harry Shearer - Huffpost Blogger]

The Office of Management and Budget, inside the White House, defined any expenditure for a current Corps of Engineers project as an earmark, and the stimulus bill was a "no earmark" piece of legislation. From whom would a word to OMB have been more appropriate than from their boss, the President? The Corps reports to the President through the Army Secretary and the Secretary of Defense.

[BeachBubbaTex]

Thanks for the specifics, I'm contacting both agencies today... I do think, especially for people who post to cites like this, that it is our minimal duty to sent also our views to these public agencies (not just to political ones). While it may seem an ineffectual gesture (or worse, simple conscience-soothing spam), it is the most direct and blunt means of making our voices heard.

[IronValkyrie]

There's a lot of blame being directed towards the Obama administration, which I can understand.

However, it seems fairly obvious that the source of his information on the urgency of the situation is coming from the Corp of Engineers.

Not to mention, of course, efforts to block the alleged wasteful spending this project would certainly get labeled with.

While I certainly agree that this is something that needs to be dealt with, probably months ago, the inside the Beltway games have as much blame for it not getting done as either the Bush or the Obama administration.

Bear in mind, environmental concerns are still considered a new fangled concept to many of these politicians. That's the real source of the delay.

[PlaceboStudman]

Unfortunately, it sometimes feel like the administration does not feel the sense of urgency on many issues that the people who elected him feel.

I know our president can not do everything we want him to do, nor even do everything he has promised to do, but it would be nice if the administration would step up to the plate and put the full weight of the office behind many issues that affect this country.

[CityGardner]

Placebo wrote: "I know our president can not do everything we want him to do..." . You're right. That only happens for the very rich, and only in republican administrations. President Obama and his team are faced with a nation that was nearly destroyed. We all watched as republicans passed law after law to legitimatize their theft of taxpayer monies. As usual, they did the destruction and now the cleanup is our problem, not theirs.
It will take thousands of people at least eight years to repair the worst of it, not six weeks for one man. We're just lucky that there was an honest and brilliant man with enough courage to volunteer for the job of overseeing the reconstruction of this country.
I don't blame you for feeling frustrated, but we need to get a grip. The Bush administration was in place for eight years. The Obama administration has been in office for *six weeks*. We need to remember that . The repub-controlled media is in overdrive right now, simultaneously pretending they never lost power, ignoring the destruction the Bush administration caused, yelling that it never happened, blaming every problem on Democrats, and whining that the President hasn't already fixed everything they wrecked..
The least we can do is not join in to their sneer-and-smear campaign.

[ShaunHammer]

The problem we have here is that people who are staunchly demo or repub view their party as a sports team and theirs does no wrong. Both parties are taking us down the road to limited liberty and freedom.

The presidents of both parties over the last 100 years have been slowly consolidating power into the white house instead of spreading it out as it was intended by our framers. Obama is just continuing the Bush consolidation power grab. You really need to look at this with open eyes and not view ANY politician or party as if they are "holier than thou".

[lizt]

I think he's done pretty well in ONLY 6 WEEKS!!

[paixa3]

Excellent, except for giving money to banks and wall street. There are SMARTER and real ways to help USA Citizens and get the economy jump started.

[HappyMarsden]

Sorry, Obama is too busy focusing enormous sums of money and resources on Afghanistan, to spend time and money on issues at home, like New Orleans. Despite the fact that Afghanistan does not affect this country, and the Taliban US soldiers are fighting over there, have never attacked the US or even plotted to attack the US. IOW, it's "business as usual" in Washington.

[LizM]

Are we missing a sense of urgency? Oh, yeah...and even a scintilla of political will! The Obama/BIDEN administration have officially run out of time on this one - it's now or never! Can we say 'infrastructure projects in the stimulus bill' ...hmmmmm!?

Unless they don't mind having the failure to save a great American city on their conscience and as their legacy, then Obama/BIDEN had better act smart, and act NOW! Or, they better cease and desist from encouraging residents of New Orleans to rebuild their lives and their city and, in so doing, demonstrate a criminal and reckless disregard for human life and an invitation to another monumental disaster.

What do they not understand about a loss of coastal land at the rate of a football field per hour!?

[lizt]

Maybe you should consult Jindal....­No...wait. He's the one that wants no government help for anyone.

[doctorj2u]

Actually Jindal has worked very hard on protecting LA's coast. Things are not as black and white as you would like them to be.

[RepugsOut08]

Once again, my apologies for being too optimistic in believing Obama would include a strong public works program to rebuild NO.
I just watched Obama at a graduation of 25 new police officers in Ohio. 25 police officers who now have jobs due to the stimulus package. It's nice to see the stimulus helping in this way, but it's going to be hard for the stimulus to compete on the evening news at a level of 25 jobs gained to 600 thousand lost.
Americans need to see a really big symbolic construction project to compete with the billion dollar bailouts and sickening daily job loss reports. A phoenix rising from the ashes.
It's just too bad Obama can't seem to think of any place in the country to rebuild. Some area that has suffered an unnatural disaster caused by incompetence and indifference. A disaster vivid in recent people's memories, and symbolic of the type of bad, you're on your own, government he campaigned against.
A symbolic resurrection that would inspire folks to say yes we can, and have proof of those words. We Americans don't abandoned our people, our cities, our culture.
Oh if only such a place existed. If only....

[pirx]

Is it too late to return the ACOE to the Pentagon? Turn over the coastline, and waterway management to the US Coast Guard (who report to DHS not Defense). The Coast Guard already has authority over the waters, give them authority over the shores and banks and bridges and dams and levees. Anyone who has been involved with a water borne disaster can attest ; the USCG does not hesitate, they ACT!

Send the ACOE to a desert somewhere, have them dig a trench, then order them to stay there while we get some competent civil engineering accomplished in this country.

[Aranxa]

This post was so depressing and reeks of futility. But I love "Le Show" though.

[kellygrrrl]

I certainly do hope the good people of LA are ready to tell Bobby to scram and get someone in their to govern with sanity.
personally, I have to stay focused on CA for now.

[steamboat]

If Jindal doesn't do the job, he'll be gone......But where you during all those incompetent people before Jindal? The Edwards's, Blanco's, etc.?

[GeorgeKaplan]

The "problem" for New Orleans is that it is very different (politically and culturally) than the rest of the state. If you go just a few miles outside of the city it turns very "red" very fast. While New Orleans is the bluest of cities. Louisiana has had terrible state leadership for years and it continues today. Jindal may not be a "crook" but his policies are the same polices that we just rejected in the last Presidential election. Louisiana is moving backward while the rest of the nation is going in a new direction. It is a very bad situation... one comment about the city leadership. It may be a democrat in the office (Nagin) but he is also a big part of the cities problems - he is a very bad Mayor. I think very few people will be sad to see him leave office.

California is being run by a genius compared to what we in LA have to deal with.

[Metome]

Harry, why weren't you at the White House with Brad Pitt talking to the President and Nancy Pelosi about New Orleans and this? You complain, but unlike most of us who could only call and write to them, YOU could make difference and actually talk to the President and Administration directly.

[Harry Shearer - Huffpost Blogger]

I have sent word to the White House that I'd like to discuss these issues with a particular senior advisor, who now has all my contact info. More than a week has passed, and I've not heard from him. When I do, you'll know.

[notfamous]

Harry,

Can you recommend a way we could lobby on your behalf to get you this meeting? Is there anyone you can recommend we can call or write to expedite your request?

Cheers.

[Metome]

Thanks for your response, Harry.

I just contacted the White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/) and said that I urge them to contact you.

[gage]

The Federal government is concerned with only one environmental issue now: CO2. That's all they think about, all they ever talk about. There's a carbon czar in every department.

This wetland restoration is far more likely to help LA than any carbon program, but the only science Obama concerns himself with is CO2 emissions. He has tunnel vision. You won't see any urgency from him.

[Javani]

"There's a carbon czar in every department."

Soon there will be an all out push for cap and trade, submerged in a budget bill, or something named a comprehensive climate bill. All government departments will come to bear with spokespeople to make a "consensus" type appearance.

Obama, by the way, sat on the Joyce Foundation board when they allocated $100,000s to set up the Chicago Climate Exchange - CCX.

[DaveMacaray]

I wish Harry Shearer would side with those of us who sympathize with the good citizens of New Orleans but, simultaneously, throw our hands up in dismay when we realize (1) the city re-elected the efficiency­-challenge­d Ray Nagin, (2) elected Bobby ("I refuse to take that free $100 million") Jindal as governor, and (3) remained a Republican state even after acknowledging it was a Republican administration who screwed them over, big-time.

There's something terribly wrong with Louisiana, and it goes beyond broken levees. What do you say, Harry? Here's your chance to sound rational.

[Harry Shearer - Huffpost Blogger]

I've dealt with each of these before, but here goes the refresher course: First, the U.S. elected George W. Bush twice, so I fail to see the high ground from which that question is even asked. Second, Louisiana is not New Orleans, any more than California is San Francisco. The way people vote outside the city is the city's problem, but not the city's responsibility. Third, I'm as sorry as anyone that Ray Nagin was re-elected, but that fact itself constitutes enough suffering for the city, it's not an excuse to inflict more.

[DaveMacaray]

I appreciate your response. But your appeal to the Bush election actually opens a door. It could be argued that this country voted for Bush in order to "punish" the Democrats, punish them for Clinton's indiscretions, punish Bill for Hillary, punish the Democrats for Bill's Bubbaness, whatever.

Arkansas punished Favorite Son Clinton (by not voting for Gore), and Tennessee punished Gore (as a way of showing their displeasure with Clinton). I'm not saying it was rational or even "fair," only that it happened.

This country showed it knew how to swing from both sides of the plate. That's what we needed Louisiana to do. It ain't much. Just show us a little old-fashioned vindictiveness. Show us some retribution. Show us you believe in getting even, for godssakes.

I realize N.O. isn't Louisiana, and vice versa. But the state is poor, it has a substantial number of Africa Americans, and it was not only disrespected by the Republicans, it was victimized by them. It took the South nearly 100 years to "forgive" Lincoln. How the hell can Looziana turn the other cheek so soon?? That's all I'm saying.

[Tkevan]

I've dealt with these before, also, but you missed a couple of important points.
1. Nagin - Not my first choice as Mayor of NOLA, but he got overwhelmed quickly with Katrina and didn't know how to right himself. He's not be very effect in rebuilding.

2. Jindal - yeah, let me take a bunch of money for programs I can't afford next year and will have to cancel. He only said he didn't want to take the money that came with strings requiring permanent changes that would not be funded in the future.

3. FEMA - Most have no idea how many employees FEMA has. They think FEMA will rush right in the moment a disaster happens, with thousands of employees ready to rescue folks and save the day. FEMA has just over 5K full time employees. That's about 2 times the number of police and firemen JUST IN NOLA. FEMA is not a first responder, they are management of assets, which normally are the states. In the case of Katrina, the states emergency plan was woefully unprepared for what they should have known was inevitable.