Pat Shingleton for Oct. 26, 2009
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In 2006, the Army Corps of Engineers ordered levee districts across the nation to remove “unwanted woody vegetation.”
This included any tree within 15 feet of a levee. There are more than 100,000 miles of levees along numerous rivers that contain millions of trees.
In addition to tree removal, the directive included filling in animal burrows, repairing culverts and patching eroded areas. Failure to comply would result in higher flood-insurance premiums and a loss of federal funding.
Representatives of the Association of State Floodplain Managers emphasize the importance of maintaining safe levees especially after levee failures with Katrina. Fastcast: Evening showers.
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