Charles A. Camillo: Divine Providence——The 2011 Flood in the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project
Can you imagine what this river would look like without engineering controls? It would resemble a Third World country–no power, no water intakes, no sewer, no navigation, no farms. The entire lower valley would be destroyed and useless.
Since its initiation, the MR&T program has brought an unprecedented degree of flood protection to the approximate 4 million people living in the 35,000 square-mile project area within the lower Mississippi Valley. The nation has contributed roughly $14 billion toward the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project. It has proven to be a wise investment that has prevented more than $478 billion in flood damages – a $34 return for every dollar invested.
There are a lot of trade-offs you make, but the idea that the untouched, natural way of life is the correct way of life is only for people who have never lived with nature. Nature is wonderful, but try living in a flood. Try living with droughts. Not so wonderful. That is how nature comes. She doesn’t come packaged with cows in green fields.
Many of the nation’s leaders agree on the need for a thoughtful, regular, and structured water infrastructure investment based on the nation’s priorities for economic and social development.