Fact Checking the Spin – With Internal Corps Email
In my message earlier, I noted today’s Times-Picayune article about the progress of pumps at the outfall canals. That article is here:
Also in that article is this:
“Corps engineers and independent forensic investigators agree that lake water pouring in through those breaches was responsible for about 85 percent of the water that flooded much of New Orleans and parts of East Jefferson”
That’s not true. Corps engineers do not agree on that at all. The Corps is still trying to duck responsibility.
Recently, Time magazine published a big, critical article about the Corps work post-Katrina. Yesterday, the Corps put out a press release as pushback. You can read it here
Here’s a quote from that press release:
“Katrina overwhelmed many sections of the protection system, and had the floodwalls not breached up to one-half of the area would still have flooded from overtopping and rainfall alone.”
This is called talking out both sides of your mouth. Sounds to me like the Corps still thinks their role was not significant. They even trot out the stuff about MR-GO not mattering.
This is why I say not to necessarily trust what the Times-Picayune writes about the Corps. They take nearly everything on faith, even stuff that is contradicted by the Corps own press releases.
Also, the general quoted in the press release, Major General Don Riley (a vey highly placed muckety-muck at the Corps) sent out an internal email on August 9, 2007 in response to the Time article. It was immediately leaked to Corps contractors. You’ll find a copy below.
The email was obviously the foundation for the press release, as it treads much of the same ground. But it is, shall we say, a little less polished and unhinged than the press release.
The piece of Riley’s email about how little the Corps had to do with Katrina ducks responsibility even more:
“Even if the hurricane protection system was up to 100 year storm protection levels and there were no breaches, Hurricane Katrina, the worst storm ever to hit the North American coast, would have caused the most damaging floods New Orleans has ever experienced.”
So, which are you more likely to believe when it comes to what the Corps believes: an article in a local paper with an unattributed assertion, or an internal email from the top civil engineer in the Corps?
Read Riley’s email below (sorry about the formatting). It’s enlightening. His mention of a Time bias against “representative democracies” is particularly humorous, and his concern for the state of “responsible journalism” is touching. Oddly, the part about democracy didn’t make it into the official press release.
Matt
From: Riley, Don T MG HQ02
Sent: Thu Aug 09 09:12:10 2007
Subject: Time Magazine ArticleMany of you are probably aware of the Time Magazine cover story this week, with the feature story “The Threatening Storm,” which ridicules the Nation’s democratic process and is highly critical of the Corps and national efforts in New Orleans.
We are working to correct the record. This misrepresentation of the situation in Louisiana is damaging efforts to get essential, factual information to the people and community leaders of New Orleans. The careless use of words and reckless disregard for the truth is undermining the real science and risk information citizens need to make informed decisions about rebuilding.
Notwithstanding its clear bias against representative democracies, the author is fast and loose with the facts. Following are a few glaring examples. Regarding the danger of hurricanes, the Saffir Simpson scale (which was not in existence at the time of the original designs and had no bearing on the process) does not directly measure storm surge and, to that extent, does not accurately convey flood danger. While in the Gulf, Hurricane Katrina was a category 5 on the Saffir Simpson scale. As it headed for land, it decreased to a category 3, but its storm surge was greater than Hurricane Camille’s, which was classified as a category 5 storm. Even if the hurricane protection system was up to 100 year storm protection levels and there were no breaches, Hurricane Katrina, the worst storm ever to hit the North American coast, would have caused the most damaging floods New Orleans has ever experienced. These facts have been validated by hundreds of distinguished engineers around the country, external to the Corps, by the National Academies and, most recently, by the Federal court system. All of this and much more was provided to the author in multiple in-depth discussions with subject matter experts, but he disregarded them entirely.
The truth is very different than the article would lead readers to believe. The prior improvements in New Orleans were the product of many Federal, State and local work efforts and complex administrative, legislative, and judicial decisions. Since then, the Corps and our many Federal, State, local, and private partners have made great progress in enabling the rebuilding of New Orleans. The IPET state-of-the-art risk modeling shows that the hurricane protection system is now more effective than it was pre-Katrina. The Corps is committed to providing quality science and engineering, and to transparently communicating to the people of Louisiana about what coastal restoration and protection will, and will not, do for them in future storms. Our intent is for the public to know their risks and be able to make their own, well-informed decisions about where and how they want to live and work.
By publishing this article, riddled with inaccurate information and clouded, unsubstantiated allegations, Time Magazine has committed a tremendous disservice to the people of New Orleans and to responsible journalism.
We are tremendously proud of the work so many of you have done around the Country, and I genuinely believe that as “the truth well told” is known, our fellow citizens will be equally confident in the work of the Corps. Thanks to all of you for your professional and dedicated service to our Nation.
We have posted additional information, facts, and analysis on our website. Please feel free to share this message with your people.
Essayons!
Most Respectfully,
Don Riley
MG USA
Director, Civil Works
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