City still pursuing federal dollars for flood-protection system

City Hall is working on several fronts to secure federal dollars for a flood-protection system despite last week's Army Corps of Engineers report that the city's “preferred” system fails a required federal economic test - that the system not cost more than the value of the property it protects.

On Wednesday, City Manager Jim Prosser said the city, firstly, is asking the Army Corps of Engineers to allow an external review of the data the Corps has used to determine the cost-benefit ratio on the city's preferred flood-protection plan. That plan, which was developed after a series of public open houses a year ago, would protect the city against a flood of the magnitude of the disastrous June 2008 flood.

Prosser noted that the Corps considers the June 2008 a once-in-2,500-year event, while one University of Iowa expert thinks it more likely a once-in-250-year event.

The city also is working with the Corps to focus on securing federal funding for a piece of the city's preferred flood protection system that would be able to meet the federal cost-benefit ratio of protecting as much property as the cost of the protection.

Prosser noted that the federal government already has begun to look at the current law for federal water projects to see if the law, which uses the cost-benefit ratio, needs to be changed. He said the city might be able to secure funding for a piece of its preferred system even as federal law is changing, at which time the city could secure the remaining funding under new rules.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, last week said he would pursue such a change in the current federal law.

Much of the city's focus is being placed on a separate standard – regional economic impact - which cities can use to bolster their cases for federal funding of a flood-protection system.

Prosser said crucial flood-affected local industries in Cedar Rapids might decide to make new investments in other communities unless a new flood-protection system is put in place in Cedar Rapids. Not putting in a system to protect the downtown, he added, jeopardizes the jobs of many people who come to the city to work from around the region.

At the same time, Mayor Ron Corbett said Wednesday that the city will work with the Iowa Legislature to support the state effort to take steps in the watershed above Cedar Rapids to lessen the flood risk to the city. He noted that Rob Hogg, Democratic state senator from Cedar Rapids, is chairman of the Senate's Rebuild Iowa Committee where much of that discussion will take place.

Prosser said the city has been fortunate to secure federal dollars to buy out some 1,300 flood-damaged homes. Not having those homes in place will help prevent damage in the event of another flood. Those who rebuild in the downtown and elsewhere and move crucial systems out of harm's way also are taking the “classic” steps to protect against another flood, he said.

Corbett emphasized, though, that the city was going to continue to work for a new flood protection system.

“Our policy can't be ‘Buy flood insurance and hope you don't have to use it,'” he said.