Army Corps chief denies agency’s rogue reputation

The head of the Army Corps of Engineers Thursday disputed allegations that the Corps is a "rogue" agency that parlays a cozy relationship with Congress into billions of dollars worth of water projects. "Are we a rogue agency? Are we too cozy with Congress? Absolutely not," said Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers at a Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee hearing. Earlier this month, the National Academy of Sciences released a report concluding the Army Corps had used flawed data in a cost-benefit analysis studying navigation improvements to the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. The study came on the heels of the Army inspector general's finding last November that top Corps officials had manipulated economic data on the project to justify its $1 billion price tag. The inspector general's report also said that a pro-construction mentality may exist throughout the agency. Flowers said the Upper Mississippi study is extremely complex because it involves analyses of the economic and environmental impacts on the region 50 years into the future. "As you might expect, there were disagreements between the many stakeholders, as well as team members, over the model and its projections," said Flowers. Flowers said he plans to put in place the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences, including one that calls for an independent group of experts to review the Corps' study of the Upper Mississippi River navigation project and other large-scale efforts. Flowers said he would also put in place the following reforms:

• Place greater emphasis on the Environmental Advisory Board, which offers independent environmental advice on Corps projects.
• Conduct extensive outreach with stakeholders and lawmakers.
• Study less expensive alternatives for reducing traffic congestion on the Upper Mississippi waterway, such as better scheduling and congestion fees.
• Take a more holistic approach to projects in general.