You’ve got to give it to Vermont Department of Environmental Engineering’s Todd Menees for getting some straight talk about post-Irene stream mitigation into the Free Press today.
It’s obviously become a major bone of contention within the Administration as to how much is too much intervention.
Menees says:
“When you dig down too deep, the water can’t get out onto the flood plain,”…which is where rivers are supposed to go when they flood.
And then Governor Shumlin says:
“We’ve got to get in here and get this work done…Irene left a mess behind and it’s got to be cleaned up.”
And then Menees says:
“We don’t want to take out every blessed stick,” …noting that clearing the way in one spot could cause further damage downstream.
The obvious disconnect between the Governor’s agenda and that of his science experts only worsens as the pressure builds. While conceding that he is “not a scientist,” Shumlin seems unmoved:
“Our lesson in all areas where we don’t have development (is), let the river have a flood plain. In areas where we do have development … find the balance between maintaining flood protection and natural resources…That may mean doing more maintenance in some of those areas than we have in the past.”
It’s enough to make an engineer weep.
Says Menees:
“I have people screaming at me every day – they say you care more about the fish than the people…if it’s good for the river, it’s good for the people and it’s good for the fish. People don’t get that.”
His boss, Commissioner David Mears, walking the thin-line as he attempts to reconcile the science staff’s position with that of the governor, has this to say about his boss’s position:
“The governor’s response has been visceral.”
Which one might take to mean that his head is less than sufficiently involved.
In comes Secy. of State Deb Markowitz, (aka The Peacemaker) apparently charged with the impossible task of maintaining a unified message from the Administration on this sensitive issue:
“When the governor is on the road with homeowners he’s empathizing,” Markowitz said. “He’s also saying you need to talk to the river engineer.”
Piece of advice to the Governor: when you enjoy the distinction of being “Greenest Governor” in the country, you would do well to listen carefully to your scientists before you make promises you may later come to regret.
…aren’t most flood plains developed? Generally speaking, it’s the flattest, most easily buildable land in Vermont. Flood plains include many of our biggest cities and towns. So the Governor’s proposed exception would drive a big ol’ semi-truck through our river protection regs. At least, that’s how it looks from here.
the recent decision to exclude RV type activity on public lands that JeesumJim pushed on us at the last minute of his Term. I am a little surprised that the policy change didn’t make it to these pages, since it will probably equate to a minimum of 4000 voters getting pissed off enough to change their preference next year.
Maybe the 250:1 number should change a little???
So far Pissed off:
Outdoors folks who ride those 4 wheel things
Fisher persons due to stream dredging advocacy
Democratic State Committee by proxy
Most of the labor community
The “why Lunderville” crowd
Progressive taxation folks who want to sock the rich
The unemployed who now need to look for a job all the time
and and and..
And as of today, it looks like maybe Brian could be looking for a new job… This economy is good news all around!!!!