Give us a clear message, Congress

Gazette Editorial Board

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Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers are hard at work trying to make flood protection a reality on the east bank of the Cedar River through the middle of Cedar Rapids.

At a pair of presentations Wednesday, the Corps briefed local residents on its progress in engineering and designing three miles of flood walls, removable flood walls and levees.

The project plan is taking shape, and that's good news. The bad news is that funding to keep the project going is not taking shape.

Congress has granted the Corps only a fraction of the $12.3 million it needs to complete engineering and design work on the east side. At best, design work will be 35 percent complete by spring, according to the Corps. But if Congress fails to act, the project could remain on hold as the city marks the fourth anniversary of the June 2008 flood.

“If no funding comes, we'll have some tough decisions to make,” Tom Heinold, of the Corps' Rock Island, Ill., office, told residents Wednesday.

Lagging money for preliminary work sends a troubling message about Congress' ability to eventually provide construction dollars for an east-side control system. The project, originally estimated at $99 million, is growing more expensive as time passes, boosting the size of both the federal share and the local match.

We understand that Congress currently is focused on cutting spending and reducing the debt. But lawmakers should find time between super committee meetings and fundraisers to, at least, provide the dollars needed to finish planning and design. After dashing our hopes for Corps-endorsed protection on both sides of the river, further foot-dragging on funding a one-bank plan is unacceptable.

We still believe that flood control should be constructed on both the east and west sides. Comprehensive protection also remains a top priority for city leaders. It's likely a 10-year local sales tax extension will be on the ballot in March to help pay for it.

But failure to commit federal funding for the Corps-approved east-side plan only muddies the waters. Our preferred protection plan, regardless of any changes that may be made in its contents or scope, depends on a funding partnership among federal, state and local governments. Without a federal commitment, uncertainty and doubt grow.

Clearly, we can push ahead with efforts to raise local dollars, regardless of what Washington, D.C., does or does not do. But a clear federal commitment would give a much-needed boost and sharper focus to the local push for comprehensive flood control. We need to trade doubt and debate for action and construction. Congress holds the key, and we urge members to act.

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