Just a question

jbeam17 · Postby **jbeam17** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 8:14 am

I just want to know what yall think of the Corp of Engineers, and the projects that they do.

HDC · Postby **HDC** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 8:24 am

And I have a question, too. What do ya'll think about Osama Bin Ladin and the projects that his organization does?

tupe · Postby **tupe** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 8:28 am

I can't say as I feel very good about what they do. I will never be able to see how a project sucj as the Yazoo Backwater Pumping project if worth the habitat destruction and exspense. I am very worried about the DU & OCE news that came out.
The COE wants to ruin the Sunflower and White Rivers and DU has to date refused to take a stand on it.
Some people say that maybe DU can change the COE's environmental outlook but I don't believe it. I fear that the COE is going to use DU to get a "GREEN" stamp on more wetland destruction. I pray that I am wrong.

M.B.

P.S. If you want more info on what the COE is up to check out americanrivers.org

jbeam17 · Postby **jbeam17** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 9:16 am

well let me give a little info. I understand where you are coming from, by being a hunter and an outdoorsmen first. Also I see where the Corps is coming from by working for them.I have worked on the Yazoo Pump project and the more i read the more i disliked it at first. I read how so many acres of land was going to be used for project purposes that would impact wetlands. I jumped on the boat that cried leave it be and stop disturbing nature, but then i read further. I read how the project was going to impact a small percentage of wetlands, but also create over 64,000 areas of new bottom land forest by replanting many agriculture fields that had been cleared in the past. the area impacted was small compared to the new habitat that will be created over time. Like all Corps projects, to the public they look intrusive and harmful, but if you look at the long run they are going to help more than hurt. if you want any more info on the corps or there projects email me and i will help all i can. Also your ideas and feedback will help in decision making process on furure projects. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

HDC · Postby **HDC** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 9:36 am

You have got to be kidding. The COE is just as bad as the BATF.

jbeam17 · Postby **jbeam17** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 9:55 am

Well i am sorry you feel that way, but just get all the info you can before you make any assumptions. learning from private groups such as DU, Nature Conservancy...you are getting biased info.

HDC · Postby **HDC** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 10:01 am

I grew up in Natchez and my family has land near the Ms. River. I have seen all the things that the COE has done with the Ms. River, and the problems that the work has caused and the wetlands that the work has destroyed. I don't need any additional info to reach an opinion about the COE.

The COE has to come up with projects just to contiue to justify its existence. Channelizing rivers NEVER does any good for the wildlife.

jbeam17 · Postby **jbeam17** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 10:09 am

well again i am sorry you feel that way, but i understand completely, but barges don't turn so well and something had to be done

RB · Postby RB » Wed Jul 31, 2002 10:46 am

Pintail.. Don't know much about the COE but I can tell you it's hard to tame a river like the Mississippi. Mother Nature is more powerful than any government agency could ever be. It seems like some of the projects they do are futile and result in flooding and destroying more land and then again some of their projects do the job they were intended.

[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: RB ]

jbeam17 · Postby **jbeam17** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 10:50 am

Your right, nothing can tame her if she wants out, but we have to try...humans are wildlfe also... the Corps can never make everybody happy, we mess up sometimes, but more often we help

peewee · Postby **peewee** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 12:29 pm

Pintail, I recieve my paycheck by the coe also. There are good projects they work on and nobody ever hears about, but everyone blast them on the controversial ones. Hunting next to mahanna and seeing what my turkey population has come to I can see where pumps are needed (or at least something). But on the other hand you take 64,000 acres of food away from the ducks and turn it into wrp and guess what. Ducks going somewheres else, like La. Go to Lake George and you will see what I am talking about.

jbeam17 · Postby **jbeam17** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 12:35 pm

I have seen what Lake George looks like....I know that type of management right now looks bad for ducks, but the Corps looks in the the future and what will be there 20 years from now will be the beginning of what it used to be in before we cut it. And look how many ducks we had then.It's hard to swallow all this future talk, when you and I both want it right now.

JMallard · Postby **JMallard** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 12:48 pm

While we are all conservationist, we need to understand the a beast like the COE is there for the benefit of society. I, like Pintail and peewee have dedicated my professional life to natural resource managment. Everyone needs to be able to see that things that the COE does, helps in more ways than what is percieved by the general public.
For persons to just bash the COE for isolated incident does no one any good. The COE does things to help the habitat that we all love and that is for sure.
The good that comes from a project like the Yazoo pump might not be seen as good to people that can only see 5-10 years in the future. But as conservationist one should be able to look 50 years into the future and see the long term improvements that future generations will benefit from.
Don't be so quick to critisize before you know all the facts and think about more than just yourself.
And I don't work for the COE.

tupe · Postby **tupe** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 1:14 pm

Pintail,
Please, if you would, adress for me why when the EPA outs out such a damning report onthe Yazoo Backwater Project you still defend such a plan.
If you have not read the report here is the link. I welcome any information you have on any modifications made to the plan. But after reading this I can't see where your # come from.
http://www.epa.gov/region4/water/specialprojects/yazoo/review.htm

M.B.

P.S. Perhaps this would help too, it is the break down of the data flaws in th corp's evaluation and cost benifit models.
http://www.epa.gov/region4/water/specialprojects/yazoo/eiscomments.htm

By the way, I am not trying to be a jerk here, I just have never been able to get anyone from the project to address the issues. If you choose to, then I thank you.
[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: M.B.Waters ]

[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: M.B.Waters ]

jbeam17 · Postby **jbeam17** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 2:00 pm

M.B.
Well the plan that you are reading is from the EPAs point of view. Check our website out and review our document then you will see where I am coming from....oh and the number as wrong it is 62,500 acres of reforested land.http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/p ... ory=report

Who is online