EPA uses rare veto to prevent giant flood control pump

by Rich Bowden - Sep 3 2008, 06:41

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has this week exercised a rare veto under the Clean Water Act of 1972 in order to kill off the introduction of a giant flood control pump proposed for the Mississippi Delta.

The EPA ruled that the $220 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control project would destroy thousands of acres of wetlands, putting at risk the habitats of hundreds of endangered species as well as reducing water quality in the region.

The controversial pump, which is supported by farmers, city and local-elected officials, would shift six million gallons of water per minute from 67,000 acres of wetlands along the Yazoo River, mostly for the benefit of flood-prone farmers, reports the Associated Press.

In a statement released by the EPA, the agency said the project would cause "unacceptable damage" to the wetlands region.

"The Yazoo Backwater Area contains some of the richest wetland and aquatic resources in the nation, and serves as critical fish and wildlife habitat," the statement outlined, before concluding that "the proposed project would result in unacceptable damage to these valuable resources that are used for wildlife, economic, and recreational purposes."

The Assistant Administrator for Water, Benjamin H. Grumbles, said: "Together with our state and federal partners we can improve flood protection and ensure environmental protection. We're helping to identify a better project that reduces flooding, protects the environment and saves taxpayer dollars."

The Yazoo project was first mooted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1941 and the proposal is designed to reduce hazardous flooding between the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers.

While the EPA's decision is seen as a victory for environmentalists concerned over the wetlands' species, it has angered local officials.

"We're frustrated by this action, and we don't understand it," said Peter Nimrod, chief engineer for the Mississippi Levee Board.

The veto is just the twelfth evoked by the EPA under the Clean Water Act since 1990.

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