<DOC>
[109 Senate Hearings]
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S. Hrg. 109-1000
THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF TWO HEARINGS TO DISCUSS THE RESPONSE TO
HURRICANE KATRINA
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HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
NOVEMBER 2, 2005
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Environment and Public Works
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congress.senate
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COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma, Chairman
JOHN W. WARNER, Virginia JAMES M. JEFFORDS, Vermont
CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, Missouri MAX BAUCUS, Montana
GEORGE V. VOINOVICH, Ohio JOSEPH I. LIEBERMAN, Connecticut
LINCOLN CHAFEE, Rhode Island BARBARA BOXER, California
LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, New York
JIM DeMINT, South Carolina FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey
JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia BARACK OBAMA, Illinois
DAVID VITTER, Louisiana
Andrew Wheeler, Majority Staff Director
Ken Connolly, Minority Staff Director
(ii)
C O N T E N T S
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Page
NOVEMBER 2, 2005
OPENING STATEMENTS
Bond, Hon. Christopher S., U.S. Senator from the State of
Missouri....................................................... 6
Inhofe, Hon. James M., U.S. Senator from the State of Oklahoma... 1
Isakson, Hon. Johnny, U.S. Senator from the State of Georgia..... 5
Jeffords, Hon. James M., U.S. Senator from the State of Vermont,
prepared statement............................................. 16
Vitter, Hon. David, U.S. Senator from the State of Louisiana..... 3
Warner, Hon. John W., U.S. Senator from the Commonwealth of
Virginia....................................................... 14
WITNESSES
Baruah, Sandy K., Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Economic Development Administration............................ 9
Prepared statement........................................... 55
Response to an additional question from Senator Jeffords..... 58
Chapital, Kim Dunn, environmental consultant, Deep South Center
for Environmental Justice...................................... 37
Prepared statement........................................... 83
Diaz, Hon. Nils J., Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission...... 8
Prepared statement........................................... 45
Responses to additional questions from Senator Jeffords...... 52
Hall, Hon. H. Dale, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
U.S. Department of the Interior................................ 10
Prepared statement........................................... 58
Response to an additional question from Senator Jeffords..... 76
Slides....................................................... 62-75
Hines, William H., past chairman and board member, Greater New
Orleans, Inc.; cochairman, Economic Development Committee,
Mayor's Bring New Orleans Back Commission...................... 39
Prepared statement........................................... 85
Nagin, Hon. C. Ray, Mayor, City of New Orleans, LA............... 22
Prepared statement........................................... 79
Responses to additional questions from Senator Jeffords...... 82
Winstead, Hon. David L., Commissioner, Public Buildings Service,
General Service Administration................................. 12
Prepared statement........................................... 76
Responses to additional questions from Senator Jeffords...... 78
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
NRC Preparations and Response to Hurricane Katrina............... 49-52
Reports:
Center for Progressive Reform (CPR), Broken Levees: Why They
Failed.....................................................92-104
GAO, Cost, Schedule, and Performance Problems of the Lake
Pontchartrain and Vicinity, Louisiana, Hurricane Protection
Project, August 31, 1976..................................105-135
Statement, Aschkenasy, Miriam MD., MPH, Oxfam America,
environmental public health specialist, Harvard Humanitarian
Institute...................................................... 88
THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF TWO HEARINGS TO DISCUSS THE RESPONSE TO
HURRICANE KATRINA
----------
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2005
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Environment and Public Works,
Washington, DC.
The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:30 a.m. in room
406, Senate Dirksen Building, Hon. James M. Inhofe (chairman of
the committee) presiding.
Present: Senators Inhofe, Warner, Bond, Isakson, Vitter,
Jeffords, and Lautenberg.
Senator Inhofe. Our meeting will come to order.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JAMES M. INHOFE, U.S. SENATOR FROM
THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
I have been told that we will have quite a few members
here, but they are not here. We have to stay on schedule. I
will ask the first panel to go ahead and be seated, and we will
do some opening statements. I want to welcome all of you here.
I have to pay particular interest to my good friend, Dale
Hall, who has assumed a new position and has really done a
great job in the region. I appreciate very much your being
here.
We welcome you to this committee's oversight hearing on
Activities in Response to Hurricane Katrina. The EPW Committee
has been actually engaged since the hurricane struck land. We
have had numerous briefings, we have had, I guess, about four
briefings and committee hearings on this. In addition to that,
several of us from the committee went down and met with Senator
Vitter and others on site.
There is a good reason for that, because we have the
jurisdiction in this committee: we have the EPA, the Army Corps
of Engineers, the Federal Highway Administration, the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, the Economic Development Administration,
GSA, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. With that jurisdiction,
we have more than any other committee has. So we are very
interested in staying on top of this, knowing exactly where we
are.
Since I gave a lengthy statement at the start of the first
hearing, I will be brief today. There is no doubt that we face
many challenges when responding to disasters--in the days
leading up to the disaster, the days following the long-term
recovery. What happened with Katrina was unprecedented for this
country. It is vital that we properly assess the role of the
Federal Government to find out what has worked and what has not
worked.
While we can look back on the initial responses to make
judgments, there is still much work to be done. For example,
the EDA has not played a major role to date. They may quickly
become a major player in both the rebuilding of the Gulf States
as well as a possible partner in addressing the lack of
refining capacity that was exploited as a result of recent
hurricanes.
I am glad to see Sandy Baruah here representing the EDA
today. Sandy, it is also my hope that we can get you confirmed
as soon as possible. In the meantime, you do a good job as
``acting'' in that position.
The NRC's role was completed once the hurricane passed and
the facilities came back on line. They did a tremendous job of
designing and carrying out their action plan. I hope that
others can use their preparedness and execution as a model of
how to do it right. If we are to have a future with a strong
nuclear energy presence, which is something that I know we will
have to have if we are going to become anywhere close to
independent in the future, then we have to have confidence in
the NRC. They have certainly come through in recent disasters
with my vote of confidence. So I welcome you, Chairman Diaz, to
this hearing.
Fish and Wildlife, I have already talked about my good
friend Dale Hall. He has done some things, we have done some
things in Oklahoma that have shown good models for the rest of
the country. We are looking forward to that.
I also want to welcome David Winstead, who is here
representing the Public Buildings Service of the GSA. Since the
storm affected such a large geographic area, the PBS had
numerous facilities impacted, more than 3 million square feet
of space in 83 facilities.
Of course, I want to welcome Mayor Nagin and the others. I
met Mayor Nagin down in New Orleans right after the disaster
took place. He has had his hands full down there.
With that, we will get on with the hearing. I would like to
have opening statements from first of all the Senator on this
committee that was most directly affected.
[The prepared statement of Senator Inhofe follows:]
Statement of Hon. James M. Inhofe, U.S. Senator from the
State of Oklahoma
Good morning and welcome to this committee's oversight hearing on
activities in response to Hurricane Katrina. The EPW Committee has been
actively engaged since the hurricane struck land. We have held numerous
briefings and a day long stakeholder meeting on actions related to
Katrina. In October, we held the first of a two-part hearing on the
actions of agencies under the jurisdiction of this committee. EPA, the
Army Corps and the Federal Highway Administration testified at that
hearing. Today, we are holding part two and this one will include the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Economic Development Administration,
GSA and the Fish and Wildlife Service. We will also hear from the Mayor
of New Orleans as well as a business leader and environmental justice
expert as they provide their assessment of how all of these agencies,
from both the first hearing and this hearing, have responded.
Since I gave a lengthy statement at the start of the first hearing,
I will be brief today. There is no doubt that we face many challenges
when responding to disasters--in the days leading up to the disaster,
the days following and the long-term recovery. What happened with
Katrina was unprecedented for this country. It is vital that we
properly assess the role of the Federal Government to find out what has
worked and what has not worked.
While we can look back on the initial response to make judgments,
there is still much work to be done. For example, while EDA has not
played a major role to date, they may quickly become a major player in
both the rebuilding of the Gulf States as well as a possible partner in
addressing with the lack of refining capacity that was exploited as a
result of the recent hurricanes. I am glad to see Sandy Baruah here
representing EDA today. Sandy, it is also my hope that we can get you
confirmed soon so that you will no longer have the title ``Acting''.
NRC's role was completed once the hurricane passed and the
facilities came back on line. They did a tremendous job of designing
and carrying out their action plan. I hope that others can use their
preparedness and execution as a model of how to do it right. If we are
to have a future with a strong nuclear energy presence, then we have to
have confidence in NRC, and they certainly came through the recent
disasters with my vote of confidence. I want to welcome Chairman Diaz
here this morning and look forward to hearing from him.
The Fish and Wildlife Service went above and beyond the call of
duty during Katrina. An agency that is known for taking care of
wildlife, quickly became an agency that would rescue people. We should
all be proud of their dedication and it is good to see Dale Hall here
representing them today.
I also want to welcome David Winstead, who is here representing the
Public Building Service of the GSA. Since the storm affected such a
large geographic area, the PBS had numerous facilities impacted--more
than 3 million square feet of space in 83 facilities.
And, of course, I want to welcome Mayor Nagin and the others who
are on the subsequent panels, including Mr. Hines and Dr. Chapital. I
want thank them for coming to Washington. Mayor Nagin is a very busy
man right now and I do appreciate him making the effort to be here
today. I look forward to discussing the issues with them.
Senator Inhofe. Senator Vitter.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. DAVID VITTER, U.S. SENATOR FROM THE
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Senator Vitter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I want to thank you and the Ranking Member for holding this
important hearing today in response to the devastating
hurricanes that hit Louisiana and neighboring States.
Senator Inhofe. Let me interrupt you just a moment, Senator
Vitter.
Would you chair this hearing while I run, and then I will
be back shortly? I would appreciate that very much.
Senator Vitter [presiding]. I also want to thank all of the
witnesses for being here today, particularly our Mayor, Mayor
Nagin.
Just over 2 months have passed since our Nation witnessed a
destructive hurricane, Katrina, that left an entire
metropolitan area evacuated, flooded, completely closed for
weeks, and then of course just a few weeks later, Louisiana was
struck by another major storm, Hurricane Rita. We have lost
over 1,000 lives and hundreds of billions of dollars in
economic activity. Now is a critical time for the rebuilding
effort.
Several major businesses have pledged to come back to
rebuild in New Orleans, but there are many other businesses
that are really deciding right now as we speak whether to come
back or relocate.
A key factor, and I can't emphasize this enough, a key,
leading factor in terms of that decision on the part of so many
individuals and businesses is strong hurricane protection that
could withstand a Category 5 hurricane. People need absolute
assurance that the level of hurricane and flood protection will
be much greater than before Hurricane Katrina. They don't want
to relive the catastrophic effects experienced over the last
few months. Clearly, rebuilding the levees to withstand a
Category 5 hurricane will help alleviate the fears people have
about moving back and reinvesting their lives and businesses in
New Orleans.
Just as clearly, this is an absolute national priority,
because nothing could be more foolish than our not getting that
job done, and then again, within our lifetime facing another
$100 billion, $150 billion price tag as another similar storm
hits New Orleans.
We are not only building stronger levees, buildings and
infrastructure, but of course we are also trying to revive a
shattered economy. We need to help our local job base remain
strong and provide incentives that will bring even more jobs
and businesses back to New Orleans to get our economy up and
running again.
As I have stressed many times, the response and recovery to
Hurricane Katrina is not some parochial, narrow Louisiana
issue. Our area fuels this Nation with 20 percent of the energy
needed to power the United States. Virtually every American is
paying higher gas and home heating oil prices. That is going to
have a detrimental effect on our Nation's economy.
In addition, the ports between the mouth of the river and
Baton Rouge comprise the largest port system in the world. That
system provides 36 States with maritime commerce and midwestern
farmers depend on our ports and waterways to get their crops to
market.
Louisiana's offshore industry provides up to 36 percent of
the domestic seafood consumed in this country: shrimp,
crawfish, oysters, much more. Much of our ecosystem and fishing
fleet has been destroyed. So there again is a third major
national impact.
Finally, our coastal estuary is one of the most productive
in the Nation and supports the life of the majority of wildlife
in the Gulf of Mexico.
I recognize and support the important oversight role and
authority of this committee. But with that authority comes
extraordinary responsibility for acting quickly, decisively and
boldly to immediately provide the confidence to our citizens
that a more secure New Orleans will be open for business. We
need to rebuild Louisiana so people are safe from future
hurricanes. We need hurricane and flood protection levees that
will sustain Category 5 protection. The only appropriate
response to the protection of south Louisiana is programmatic
authority to implement this strong hurricane and flood
protection in a fast track manner, because that is absolutely
critical to getting people back, jobs back, investment back.
So with that, I look forward to hearing from all of our
witnesses today. Thanks very much.
[The prepared statement of Senator Vitter follows:]
Statement of Hon. David Vitter, U.S. Senator from the State of
Louisiana
Chairman Inhofe and Ranking Member Jeffords, thank you for holding
this very important hearing today in response to the devastating
Hurricanes that my home State of Louisiana has unfortunately
experienced first-hand. I would also like to thank each of the
witnesses for being here today, especially those from Louisiana.
Just over 2 months have passed since our Nation witnessed the
destruction of Hurricane Katrina--an entire major metropolitan area
evacuated, flooded and completely closed for weeks. A few weeks later,
Louisiana was struck by another major storm, Hurricane Rita.
We have lost over a thousand lives and hundreds of billions of
dollars in economic activity. Now is a critical time for the rebuilding
effort. Several major businesses have pledged to come back to rebuild
in New Orleans. However, there are many other businesses that are
deciding now about whether to relocate elsewhere or come back and
rebuild in Louisiana.
A key factor for bringing back businesses and citizens to New
Orleans is strong hurricane protection that could sustain a Category 5
storm. People need assurance that the level of hurricane and flood
protection will be much greater than before Hurricane Katrina. They do
not want to relive the catastrophic effects experienced over the past
few months. Clearly, rebuilding the levees to withstand a Category 5
storm will help alleviate the fears people have about moving back and
reinvesting their lives and businesses in New Orleans.
We are not only rebuilding stronger levees, buildings and
infrastructure, but also reviving a shattered economy. We need to help
our local job base remain strong and provide incentives that will bring
even more jobs and businesses back to New Orleans to get our economy up
and running again.
As I have stressed many times, the response and recovery to
Hurricane Katrina is not just a Louisiana issue. Louisiana literally
fuels this Nation with 20 percent of the energy needed to power the
United States. Virtually every American is paying higher gas and home
heating oil prices and that is going to have a detrimental affect on
our Nation's economy. The ports between Baton Rouge and New Orleans
comprise the largest port system in the world. We provide 36 States
with maritime commerce and mid-western farmers depend upon our ports
and waterways to get their crops to market. Louisiana's offshore
industry provides up to 30 percent of the domestic seafood consumed in
this country shrimp, crawfish, oysters and many more. Much of our
ecosystem and fishing fleet is destroyed. Finally, our coastal estuary
is one of the most productive estuaries in the Nation and supports the
life of the majority of wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico.
I recognize and support the important oversight role and authority
of this committee. With that authority comes the extraordinary
responsibility of acting quickly, decisively, and boldly to immediately
provide the confidence to our citizens that a bigger, better New
Orleans is open for business. We need to rebuild Louisiana so people
are safe from future hurricanes. We need hurricane protection and
levees that will sustain a Category 5 hurricane. The only appropriate
response to the protection of south Louisiana must include programmatic
authority to implement strong hurricane protection and flood prevention
that is critical to the rebuilding and economic recovery effort.
I look forward to hearing from the witnesses. Thank you.
Senator Vitter. Senator Isakson, do you have an opening
statement?
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JOHNNY ISAKSON, U.S. SENATOR FROM THE
STATE OF GEORGIA
Senator Isakson. I will be brief, Senator Vitter. I thank
you for chairing the hearing. I thank the Chairman for calling
the hearing. I think all of us associate ourselves with the
remarks of Senator Vitter, because we kind of suffered together
with the two Senators from Louisiana during the tragedy of
Katrina. We also suffered together a little bit with the post-
Katrina aftermath, where the Government came under great
criticism, particularly FEMA and others, for the response they
did at the time.
But that is behind us. The comment I would like to make in
concert somewhat with what Senator Vitter said, is from a
Senator from another State, a southern State but somewhat
removed, although we have a lot of Louisiana's kids right now
in our public schools, because they have come to Georgia to
take care of that, as we respond and as we rebuild, and as a
former real estate developer, this is a redevelopment project.
I would encourage each of your agencies to recognize that
we need an overall, coordinated plan, inter-governmentally, so
that the agencies that are responding in different ways are
coordinated and so that the vision for that plan is something
that everyone understands.
I don't know what New Orleans will look like 20 years from
now. But I do know what it looks like, and how it looks will
depend greatly on how the agencies coordinate and how the plans
develop. Probably beginning and ending with what is done with
the estuary, what is done with the lake, what is done with the
river and what decisions we make.
So my encouragement is to have an intergovernmental agency
cooperation attitude and a central master plan. I do not know
whose responsibility it would be to ultimately decide on what
that plan is, and it certainly needs to be coordinated between
the responsibility of the Federal Government under its Stafford
Act responsibilities as well as our other responsibilities, in
coordination with the State of Louisiana and with the city of
New Orleans.
The American taxpayers, I believe, are willing to do their
share and their responsibility in helping the people of
Louisiana recover. The enthusiasm of that will be directly
proportionate to the appearance and the reality of governmental
cooperation and fiscal responsibility. The only way you can do
that is to have an executed plan where the agencies are
coordinated together.
With that, I appreciate the time, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Vitter. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Kit Bond of Missouri.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, U.S. SENATOR
FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI
Senator Bond. Thank you very much, Senator Vitter. Thank
you very much for chairing this hearing.
Let me say that Senator Vitter is new on the Senate side,
with a lot of experience on the House side. He has stepped up
and been a very effective, responsible voice for the recovery
efforts in his devastated State. There is nothing like being
thrown into one of the biggest crises that this Nation has seen
in recent history in your first year here. You have the
admiration and support of all of us as you go forward.
I am delighted to see some good friends here who can make
things happen at the Federal level. I think our responsibility
is to make sure things happen properly. Let's make them happen
correctly. You have talked about the need for moving forward
quickly on a fast track with the Corps of Engineers. Well, you
well know and Senator Isakson well knows that as we are trying
to move a Water Resources Development Act to authorize the
Corps of Engineers to move forward, we have some on the other
side of the aisle who want to put more impediments in the way,
they want to slow it down, they want more red tape.
Well, Senator, I am from a State that knows something about
floods. In 1993, 1995, we had hundred year floods, we had
devastation throughout. We had to fight an Administration then
who didn't even want to rebuild the levees. At least now I
think you have the Federal Government understanding that levees
save lives, protect billions and billions of dollars of
property loss that otherwise would occur. We want to work with
you to make sure that you get those levees.
I know that EDA is going to come through with help in
grants and our good friend, the Commissioner of Public
Buildings in GSA is probably going to be building some great
new public monuments and replacing them, although I understand
many of them came through unscathed. I served as a clerk on the
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1963 and 1964, and admired
that New Orleans courthouse for the Court of Appeals.
I think there are some very tough decisions that have to be
made and we are being asked to foot a very significant Federal
bill. We want to make sure that the planning is done properly
and there is a means of enforcing it. As one who has done a lot
of work and had to move people out of flood plains in Missouri
where they had been flooded, the city of Plattsburg, and I
could go down the list, the city of Times Beach.
We moved them out of the flood plain. Does it really make
sense to put poor people 20 feet below sea level? No matter
what kind of levee you build, what makes sense? OK. I think it
makes sense, certainly there is an area of New Orleans that was
not flooded that needs to be protected. Can we protect all of
the outlying areas of New Orleans with a Category 5 levee?
This is something that needs to be decided in cooperation
between the local officials and representatives of the Federal
Government that are going to have to pay for it. I had a very
disturbing conversation with a friend I had known 40 years ago
who grew up in New Orleans, a dedicated person who loves New
Orleans. He said, our biggest problem is we can't have any
effective land use planning. We try to develop a land use plan
and somebody goes to the local city councilman with some means
of persuasion, I will not get into what that is, and they get a
variance.
If we are going to be making these major investments in New
Orleans, is there going to be a system which is thought out and
takes into account all the interests of stakeholders, the
protection of the people who are there and that can and will be
enforced? With the kind of Federal investment we are making
there, I think we have to be sure that we are not putting
people needlessly at risk.
There is a lot that we have learned from this disaster.
Unfortunately, we have had the privilege of learning from other
disasters, and I am one of those who can say I had the
experience, experience being what you get when you expected to
get something else, helping my State recover from the
disastrous floods 12 and 10 years ago.
I sympathize with you, I am going to work with you, but we,
and I think you have been a very responsible voice, and we need
to have a responsible plan that comes with the major input from
the people who live there, live in New Orleans, but with a
guarantee that there are going to be limits and restrictions
placed on development so that we protect what we can and make
other provisions in other areas.
I'm sorry, I have another meeting to go to, but as one who
chairs the subcommittee that handles WRDA, we hope we can work
with you and pass a WRDA bill that doesn't have any more
restrictions on it, that recognizes that building levees saves
lives. Had we built one in New Orleans, we would have saved a
heck of a lot of money. Building levees should not be a sport
just for more legal red tape and lawsuits.
Thank you, Senator, and best wishes.
Senator Inhofe. Thank you, Senator. Now we will hear from
our first panel, starting with Dr. Nils Diaz, Chairman of the
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Dr. Diaz.
STATEMENT OF HON. NILS J. DIAZ, CHAIRMAN, NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
Mr. Diaz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is my privilege on
behalf of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to discuss our
preparations and response to Hurricane Katrina and the results
of the combined efforts of NRC licensees, our Federal and State
partners, and the NRC in protecting public health and safety,
the environment, and the common defense and security. My full
testimony, Mr. Chairman, with an actual, factual NRC time line
for the Hurricane Katrina activities, has been submitted for
the record.
I will start at the end, Mr. Chairman. The three nuclear
powerplants affected by Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast
are safe and secure and were safe and secure throughout the
period of concern. The radioactive sources under Agreement
States' authority or directly under NRC authority are safe and
secure. The well established and frequently tested capabilities
of the NRC, our Federal and Agreement States partners, and our
licensees were exercised and proved to be effective during
Hurricane Katrina.
Our emergency preparations are always focused on three
distinct protective actions: prevention, monitoring, and
mitigation. In the particular case of hurricanes, prevention
through preparedness has been effective to date and we will
continue to stress full preparedness.
We continue to assess new lessons learned from Katrina and
other hurricanes. These will be taken into consideration to
make our capabilities and those of our licensees even better.
Communications is one of those key areas that we are working on
for further improvement. At the same time, we will be working
in cooperation with Federal and State agencies to further
improve preparedness capabilities in NRC's areas of
jurisdiction.
Mr. Chairman, of primary concern in NRC emergency
preparedness activities are the nuclear powerplants. We take
this very seriously, because of their importance and because of
their complexity. On the other hand, we have the advantage of
many years of practice. Practice makes better. At specific
locations with well-known characteristics and capabilities, of
the 64 power reactor sites in the country, about half need and
have specific emergency procedures to deal with hurricanes
because of their locations. Through the years, these
capabilities have been exercised, and recently they have been
exercised often.
Radioactive sources, typically sealed and in devices,
present us with a different challenge in variety and location,
but they do have lesser risks. I must acknowledge at this point
the tremendous support we have received from the State and
Federal authorities in establishing the safety and security of
radioactive sources.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to recognize the effort's by NRC
licensees, local, State and Federal law enforcement officers,
and the National Guard to provide the vigilance and support to
maintain the safety and security of nuclear powerplants and
radioactive sources in the States affected by the hurricanes. I
also want to recognize the efforts of many, but especially DHS/
FEMA, in promptly evaluating off-site emergency preparedness
and response capabilities for the nuclear powerplants after the
hurricanes passed, to allow those plant sites to return safely
to service and provide electricity to affected areas.
These joint NRC-FEMA and reactor licensees' efforts were
used for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and now Wilma. The affected
powerplant sites in Florida and along the Gulf Coast have
resumed supplying electricity to support recovery of the
regional infrastructure.
Last but not least, I want to recognize the discipline and
consistent work of the NRC staff to prepare for and discharge
emergency activities for every national disaster that has
threatened our licensed facilities, including Hurricane
Katrina. Our preparations and rigor have paid off.
Again, I thank you. I will be pleased to answer your
questions.
Senator Vitter. Thank you, Dr. Diaz, very much.
Next we will hear from Mr. Sandy Baruah, Acting Assistant
Secretary of Commerce, for the Economic Development
Administration.
STATEMENT OF SANDY K. BARUAH, ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
COMMERCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Baruah. Senator Vitter, thank you very much. Let me
thank the Chairman and the Ranking Member and the members of
this committee for having me here today.
This is a timely matter for me to comment on, as I have
just returned from Louisiana. Yesterday along with the Director
of the Minority Business Development Agency, I saw first-hand
the devastation to the great city of New Orleans. In addition,
I visited at length with the Mayor of Baton Rouge and others
from the region. It is exceptionally clear to me, Senator
Vitter, that our Nation faces an unprecedented challenge but a
unique opportunity to recover from this terrible natural
disaster.
The Administration, the Department of Commerce and the
Economic Development Administration are committed to the
economic revitalization of the Gulf Coast. As you are aware,
President Bush has called for an unprecedented effort to
promote the region's recovery and economic revitalization. The
focus of these efforts is to implement a regional,
collaborative, multi-pronged approach aimed at providing
appropriate incentives and targeted Federal investments to
create the conditions in which the private sector can
confidently again invest in the region's economic recovery.
While we are not here today asking for additional funding,
we will be participating in the recovery efforts using our
existing human and financial resources. EDA is proud to be a
supporting player in the Federal effort to get people back to
work and businesses, both large and small, back on their feet.
EDA has a long history of supporting proven and effective
long-term recovery. The Agency has played varying roles in most
of the major natural disasters over the past 40 years.
Additionally, under the National Response Plan, EDA represents
the Department of Commerce as a primary agency in Emergency
Support Function No. 14, which focuses on long-term community
recovery.
Of course, EDA over the years has accepted several mission
assignments from FEMA, including for Hurricane Katrina, and we
are pleased to support FEMA's lead role in these recovery
efforts.
One of the nice things about being part of the Commerce
family is our sister agency, NOAA. Because of NOAA's good work
in this year and years past, we were able to anticipate the
active hurricane season that we have just witnessed. Under the
direction of Secretary Gutierrez, EDA began to prepare to
support economic recovery efforts prior to Katrina's landfall.
In the days following the hurricane, Secretary Gutierrez
announced grants to the States of Louisiana and Mississippi for
$4 million for each State and two additional grants for
$450,000, and $390,000 to Alabama for immediate economic
planning purposes.
In addition, we immediately established an internal
hurricane recovery task force and began to make our regional
staff available to the Governors of Louisiana, Mississippi and
Alabama. As the recovery efforts progress, EDA will continue to
leverage our available resources for the purposes of effective
revitalization efforts that result in real, meaningful and
long-term economic impacts.
EDA designs its investments to ensure significant
leveraging of private sector resources. Because even in
situations like this where the Federal Government plays an
important and major role, at the end of the day, it is the
private sector's ability, ability and willingness to invest in
a region that is the key factor for creating job opportunities
and long-term economic growth.
Additionally, the Bureau will work closely with the Office
of Inspector General with regard to the award and
administration of all Katrina-related disaster recovery funds.
EDA views the Office of Inspector General as a valuable
partner.
While it is important that Federal, State and local
governments move smartly to address immediate needs, economic
revitalization efforts must be based on a sound economic
development strategy. To this end, it is important to work not
only with State and local officials, but also with the region's
business leaders. Business leaders and private and public
sector officials must share a common vision for the rebuilding
of the Gulf region in order to ensure maximum effectiveness.
EDA is proud to play a supporting role in the coordinated
Federal response to this unprecedented natural disaster. Thank
you for your time. I appreciate the opportunity to be here
today.
Senator Vitter. Thank you. Next we have the Hon. Dale Hall,
Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
STATEMENT OF HON. H. DALE HALL, DIRECTOR, U.S. FISH AND
WILDLIFE SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Mr. Hall. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Senator Isakson, members
of the committee. It is a real pleasure for me to be here
today.
Along with my written testimony you have in front of you a
handout with some slides in it that you might like to peruse as
we go through.
It truly is a pleasure to be here, because even though our
hearts are broken over the tragedy and the devastation of the
storm, our hearts are also uplifted by the story I have to tell
you now about the response of the Fish and Wildlife Service
employees to try and help their neighbors and friends.
At the initial response after Katrina, within 24 hours, we
had people on the ground helping to rescue and take people out
of harm's way. Within 4 days, we had a full service command
center set up at Big Branch March National Wildlife Refuge,
just outside of Mandeville, LA and about 25 miles north of New
Orleans.
Our people provided assistance in rescuing over 4,500
people during the aftermath, cleared 14\1/2\ miles of roads, 10
miles of fire breaks, more than 300 driveways and 4 major
parking lots so other command centers could be set up. We
conducted reconnaissance on 65 miles of roadways covering more
than 100 streets, so that the people could return to their
homes.
In all, more than 600 of our employees worked in the
aftermath of Katrina and did shifts at Big Branch Marsh
National Wildlife Refuge, where we provided food, shelter,
water, fuel, showers, laundry and other facilities to the
workers on the ground besides our own people, the American and
International Red Cross, National Guard, U.S. Immigration
Service, Customs Service and FEMA personnel.
We served over 25,000 meals to Louisiana workers and to the
people at the Louisiana Heart Hospital, 3,600 showers and 1,900
loads of laundry. That may not sound like the earth-moving
activities that one would expect, but to the workers those
showers and those clean clothes meant an awful lot.
The resources that were impacted were significant. I would
like to add a little note here, that there was a personal note
for me. My wife's family is from Louisiana. She is from Bunkie.
I have relatives in Mandeville and my daughter was a nurse at
Memorial Medical Center. She was stranded inside the hospital
for 4 days until officers from the Louisiana State Police, the
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service rescued her and the remaining members of the medical
staff and several patients that were left in there. So this is
close to me in many ways.
When we look at our other family, the Fish and Wildlife
Service family and our lands, Breton National Wildlife Refuge
has lost over half of its land mass. We have had over 150,000
acres of coastal marshes impacted, and that impacted sea turtle
nesting and red-cockaded woodpecker. The timber has been blown
over to a significant level. Sixteen National Wildlife Refuges
were closed during the aftermath.
As a response to this, the Administration has asked for $61
million to help us repair and rebuild some of those structures.
Prior to Katrina, coastal wetland loss in Louisiana was about
24 square miles per year. Those marshes provided a lot of
benefit to the people, to their protection, to their economy,
to their culture.
We believe that one of the strongest things that we can do
is actually recognize the role that those coastal wetlands play
in buffering storms and in slowing down the wind and the storm
surge in particular. The coastal marsh restoration and
rebuilding should be highly considered as part of the storm
abatement project, right along with levees and other flood
gates and structures, because those structures can help protect
the protective measures as well as the people that sit behind
those.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, there is no way that I can tell
you here today how proud I am of the response of our employees.
Twenty-one of our people lost everything that they had, and yet
the very next day, they were up at Big Branch Marsh saying,
what can I do, and they continued to work throughout the
aftermath to help everyone else. That is the kind of dedication
that came from the people in the Fish and Wildlife Service and
the other agencies to respond to this and do what we could to
help our neighbors.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Senator Isakson, and I look
forward to answering any questions you may have.
Senator Vitter. Thank you very much, Director Hall.
To round out Panel I, we have Mr. David Winstead,
Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, General Service
Administration.
STATEMENT OF HON. DAVID L. WINSTEAD, COMMISSIONER, PUBLIC
BUILDINGS SERVICE, GENERAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Winstead. Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Senator Isakson,
members of the committee. My name is David Winstead, and I am
Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service with GSA. I thank
you for inviting me here today to respond to your questions on
Hurricane Katrina and the follow-up recovery efforts. I would
ask that my written statement be made part of the record.
GSA, as you know, manages a diverse portfolio of real
estate for the Federal Government, over 340 million square feet
of space in office buildings, courthouses, border station
warehouses and other facilities. We serve nearly 60 agencies
over 400 bureaus, the U.S. courts, Congress and house over a
million Federal employees. We really view ourselves at Public
Buildings Service as sort of mission enablers, providing the
work places solutions for the Federal agencies.
This year has obviously been a challenge for all of us. Six
hurricanes have struck the United States. We have seen all the
news on Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and Wilma and I am sure,
Senator, you have great first-hand experience. Actually, my
family is from New Orleans, my mother's family, so I have been
down there as well.
While all these impact our customers and our real estate
assets in the Gulf Coast region, Hurricane Katrina was
obviously the worst. The impact zone was 200 miles wide,
ranging as far as Louisiana and as far east as Florida, north
to Kentucky and spanning two GSA regions. I am very pleased
this morning to have two people that were instrumental in our
response, both in Region 4, in Florida, Alabama and
Mississippi, Tom Walker, behind me, who headed up that effort,
and also in Region 7, which is Louisiana-Texas, Jim Weller, who
was very active down there in Louisiana. Also Bill Matthews,
who is the Assistant Commissioner for Office of Real Property
Asset Management here as well.
In the face of this unprecedented demand created by these
three hurricanes, GSA's first priority was to support FEMA. We
provided and continue to provide communications support,
emergency relief supplies, facility space, office equipment and
contracting services. The level of support required of GSA has
been greater than we have ever experienced. The hurricanes
posed two additional challenges to the PBS, and that was to
provide space and continued service to our Federal customers'
employees, and to safeguard our real estate assets.
To meet these two challenges, GSA drew from an extensive
experience of professionals in our property management field,
leasing, architectural and engineering disciplines. The GSA
hurricane response strategy was developed from lessons learned
by our well-practiced regional associates in our regions who
have been very active, both in Regions 4 and 7, and also have
been aided from our central office here in Washington.
The strategy has comprised both advance preparation,
looking at storm patterns and buildings that were being
threatened, customer communication and 24-hour hot lines,
damage assessment, returning customers to operational
facilities as soon as possible, and returning owned and leased
property to operational status. This last step may be as simple
as obviously waiting for the area power to come back on or as
complex as both repairing or completely replacing facilities or
find other lease options.
We begin our advance preparation once the National Weather
System projects a hurricane, buildings located within the path
are identified and reviewed, preventive actions are taken,
daily conference calls and readiness occur and regional
personnel follow the direction of local officials regarding
evacuation. Preventive actions include testing and obviously
fueling generators, inspecting and securing building
components, shutting down building systems where possible,
placing sandbags where appropriate and boarding up lower levels
of multi-story buildings.
I would comment in the case of Hurricane Katrina, when the
storm surge was predicted for Gulfport, MS, the first three
floods of the Dan Russell Federal Building and Courthouse were
boarded up at an expense, and this was predicted, and we did
this in advance as a preventive measure, and the overall cost
was $20,000. But the investment saved the Federal taxpayer an
estimated $1 million in projected damage had that action not
occurred.
To maintain our communication with our Federal employees
and customers about their buildings, we establish hot lines and
Web sites. Our command structure and rapid response teams are
described more fully in my written statement.
In terms of our real property assets, GSA suffered no
catastrophic losses due to Hurricane Katrina. Damages included
power outages, water intrusion, power distribution equipment
damage, limited structural damage, mold buildup, broken windows
and related activities. Of the 42 Government-owned locations
the most substantial damage occurred in New Orleans where
buildings withstood obviously wind and severe water floods.
This is a testament to the design and construction of our
building inventory, both in terms of our older and more
historic buildings, such as the New Orleans Federal Custom
House as well as the new Federal Building, which I mentioned,
which is the Dan Russell Federal Building and Courthouse in
Gulfport.
In contrast, the leasing inventory fared less well with
damages ranging from total loss to minor repairs. About 12 to
15 leases may require us to terminate the lease. Within the
GSA-provided space, there are approximately 2,600 Federal
employees and 28 Federal agencies that have been impacted. To
date, all customer agencies are operational and as of October
27, 3 Government-owned and 33 leased facilities, for a total of
36, remain closed as a result of the storm. But these are now
being addressed on follow-up action.
I know I am out of time here, Senator. I would be happy to
answer any questions.
Senator Vitter. Thank you very much, Mr. Winstead.
We are also joined by Senator John Warner of Virginia. I
want to welcome the Senator and invite any opening comments.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN W. WARNER, U.S. SENATOR FROM THE
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
Senator Warner. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First I would like
to commend you for your industrious efforts on behalf of not
only Louisiana but the whole belt that suffered, the whole belt
of States there. Mr. Chairman, I think it is also important
that your work to persuade the President to, as we announced
this morning, to have this new individual who becomes, through
Mike Chertoff, the focal point.
I also want to thank the Mayor, who will soon be before
this panel. I was privileged to come down with a group very
early on, and I remember sitting in that room and listening to
you and your colleagues. I think history will have to record
who did what when, why and so forth. But we have to go forward.
I was much impressed. I watched carefully the television,
as others, about individuals. One fellow got up this morning
and he said, ``you know, if we could just get the Government
out of my business, I could have this trailer park up and these
people would be in here over the weekend.'' I think we need to
look at those options.
I commend you, Mr. Chairman, for your work.
Senator Vitter. Thank you, Senator.
I will kick off the questioning. I wanted to first ask all
of you a follow-up to Senator Warner's comment. As you know,
yesterday the Administration announced the appointment of a
single Federal point person, a Federal coordinator for
reconstruction and recovery in the entire devastated region.
That is going to be Don Powell, who has been serving as the
chair of FDIC.
I want to ask you three things. No. 1, have you received,
in your agency, specific information about the creation of that
position? No. 2, have you made plans to brief Mr. Powell about
how you fit into the puzzle on the Federal side? No. 3, how do
you think your response in terms of this recovery effort needs
to change in light of this single Federal point person? How
will that change the way you do business day to day as part of
the ongoing recovery effort?
We will just go from my left to right.
Dr. Diaz.
Mr. Diaz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have just received
the normal amount of information, both by the press and by our
normal internal communications. But nothing really
significantly specific that we can move on. But we of course
will be ready to brief and have been always ready to brief our
Federal counterparts.
We do not believe that our response will change
significantly. The reason is that we really have a very
distinct advantage, because we have been doing this for so many
years. We already know who we need to be in contact with, when
we need to be in contact with them, how we need to be in
contact with them. So we have very, very localized assets that
are able to be quickly deployed to areas for which we know
where they are, we know what the problems are, we know what the
characteristics are.
We actually have been for many, many years exercising with
FEMA, and with the States, to be able to provide not only the
preparation that is needed but the support. There would be one
area that I think we would emphasize when the integration takes
place, and that is the area of communications. We do believe
that we can enhance and should enhance our communications, and
that our partners, both the Federal, State and local agencies
will probably benefit from enhanced communications.
Senator Vitter. Mr. Baruah.
Mr. Baruah. Mr. Chairman and Senator Warner, we certainly
welcome the appointment by the President of Don Powell. We did
receive notification from the White House of his appointment
and what his role will be.
Regarding briefings for Mr. Powell, Senator, we will do
that as part of the whole Department of Commerce. That will
probably be led by our Deputy Secretary. We will brief as
requested as a Commerce unit, and so we are briefing in the
total package of what the Department of Commerce has to offer
and what our capabilities are.
Regarding how EDA specifically will change our activities,
my answer is hopefully not a great deal. What I mean by that is
hopefully that we would always be working in a coordinated
Federal fashion anyway. But with the appointment of Mr. Powell,
I think we will wait and see and certainly take direction from
him in his new role as to how we should best respond.
I think it is very important, the way we look at disaster
recovery at EDA is not that EDA has to be all things to all
people. We look at it very much as we are a piece of the
puzzle, a piece of the Federal puzzle. Just because we don't do
everything, there are others that are doing things, and we can
support that and we play a very specific role. So we certainly
welcome an overall coordinating aspect to the Federal effort.
Senator Warner. Mr. Chairman, if I could interject.
Senator Vitter. Sure.
Senator Warner. I think it would be wise if the committee,
and I am sure the Executive Branch would provide the committee
with exactly how this communication came, because we should
then learn from that more about the description and the powers.
Senator Vitter. Absolutely. I think it took the form of two
Executive orders, so we need to get those.
Senator Warner. I think that would be good. I must say, Mr.
Baruah, your metaphor, Federal puzzle, is an interesting one. I
will have to think about that a little bit. I like that.
[Laughter.]
Senator Warner. Thank you very much.
Senator Vitter. Mr. Hall.
Mr. Hall. The whole activity of post-storm is being
actually worked out of the Secretary of the Interior's office.
We provide input and information to them. I have not, at the
Fish and Wildlife Service, received specific instructions,
because I don't know exactly if I will be or our Agency will be
directly working with Mr. Powell. But we assume the Secretary's
office will.
The briefings that we will be doing are feeding the U.S.
Geological Survey, and we are the two primary agencies in the
Department of Interior that have been working down there, USGS
from their coastal information and we from the refuges and our
work down there.
How it would change our approach, it probably won't. As I
stated in my testimony, we tried to lead, follow or get out of
the way, depending on what the circumstance called for. If they
needed us to get into airboats and go rescue people, then
that's what we did. If they needed us to take chainsaws and
clear driveways to help the community rebuild, then that's what
we did. If they needed us to feed people, that's what we did.
We think that we work with the communities and the other
agencies in a very effective manner already. But if there are
ways that we can improve, we will certainly try and find those.
Senator Vitter. Mr. Winstead.
Mr. Winstead. Mr. Chairman, likewise, the Public Buildings
Service in GSA, David Bibb, our Acting Administrator, myself
and other commissioners are aware of this appointment. We will
continue to work, obviously in coordinating in this uniform
effort. I don't think it will change a lot in terms of our
support both at PBS and GSA and FEMA. But we are going to, our
established communications will continue with Mr. Powell. We
look forward to meeting with him very soon to offer up both our
procurement support as well as our expertise in Region 7 and
Region 4.
Senator Vitter. All right. I want to recognize Senator
Jeffords, the Ranking Member of the committee, from Vermont.
Senator, thank you for being here, and please, if you have any
opening statement or questions for the panel or both.
Senator Jeffords. Thank you very much.
I have followed with interest your efforts to assist. I
think you deserve a great deal of credit for what happened.
I ask unanimous consent that my full statement be made a
part of the record.
Senator Vitter. Without objection.
[The prepared statement of Senator Jeffords follows:]
Statement of Hon. James M. Jeffords, U.S. Senator from the
State of Vermont
Good morning. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for holding today's
hearing, which is part two of the oversight hearing we held on October
6 with the EPA, Army Corps, and Department of Transportation as
witnesses.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have had a devastating impact on the
Gulf Coast of this Nation. It is critical that we do everything that we
can to improve the lives of our fellow Americans whose lives have been
uprooted.
The Agencies within this committee's jurisdiction have a major role
in both the response and the recovery operations for Hurricane Katrina.
I want to extend a welcome to New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. It is
imperative that we hear your views on the actions of these agencies in
response to Katrina, and I am pleased that we will get your
perspective.
Mr. Chairman, I am going to take a few minutes to address how we
got here and give some context to today's hearing.
Over the last 200 years, we have moved from an ad hoc approach to
disaster response to a coordinated, orderly approach.
On September 11th, the Nation was struck by a terrorist attack. The
effectiveness of FEMA helped reduce the impact of those events. After
September 11th, the Department of Homeland Security was formed.
In what I believe is an example of extremely poor judgment that
failed to take into account FEMA's role in responding to natural
disasters, FEMA was moved into the Department.
With Katrina, I believe that we witnessed the degradation of our
national response system as a result of that change.
As Congress determines what the next steps are, we must ask
ourselves are we witnessing a performance failure by the Federal
agencies to execute their authorities, or, are we missing needed
authority? I believe we have witnessed a performance failure.
In the wake of this performance failure, Congress is stepping in.
There have been about 50 Katrina-related bills introduced.
I am concerned that we are returning to the ``ad hoc'' response to
disaster that the Stafford Act was designed to prevent.
We need to return some order to our disaster response capabilities.
In the short term, we need to be sure that Katrina recovery proceeds in
a sensible manner, given what has occurred to date.
On October 6, I joined my colleagues on the minority side of this
committee in introducing S. 1836, the Gulf Coast Infrastructure
Redevelopment and Recovery Act, to respond to Hurricane Katrina.
Our legislation will provide direction to those agencies in our
jurisdiction to ensure that Katrina recovery happens quickly, protects
public health and the environment, and uses federal funds wisely.
In the long-term, we need to move FEMA out of DHS. I am an original
cosponsor of Senator Clinton's bill to do just that. I hope the
Congress moves quickly to adopt both proposals.
My questions in today's hearing will focus on three issues. First,
in the apparent chaos of the response to Hurricane Katrina, what needs
to change in the federal response?
Second, as we move into the recovery phase, what are the needs,
what are the priorities, what plans are in place, what is lacking?
Third, do these plans make sense for the people of the Gulf Coast?
I look forward to hearing from each of you today. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Senator Jeffords. Mr. Chairman, I understand that the NRC
had very good information from communications with the
powerplant licensees during Hurricane Katrina. I know
accounting for and securing the most diffuse licensees, such as
universities, medical facilities and industrial sources is a
significant challenge.
How long did it take NRC to be able to determine that
nuclear materials held by non-powerplant licensees were secure?
Mr. Diaz. Thank you, Senator Jeffords. We actually relied
on our Agreement States licensees and our Federal partners on
the issue of securing the sources. What happened during
Hurricane Katrina, like it happens with many other industrial
concerns, was that some of them were very well prepared; others
actually had to leave the sources in place and abandon their
facilities. That happens in different places.
However, we, before the hurricane struck, actually were
dealing not only with FEMA, and with the State, in making sure
that we would establish communications with the licensees. It
took us several days to establish where all the sources, the
major sources were. We did put into place a combination of
Federal and State efforts, led by the State, to make sure we
identified where the sources were, we identified that their
sources were appropriately not only accounted for but secure.
We eventually used Federal assets to fly over the area with
the cooperation of the Department of Energy to locate and make
sure that the major sources, what we call Category 1, Category
2 sources, were in these places. We then provided assistance to
the State, actually went physically there, and provided
assistance to States to make sure that all the sources were
accounted for. I can tell you that all the sources that are the
major radioactive sources have been accounted for. We have
received absolutely no reports of any problems with any
sources.
Having said that, Mr. Senator, we did learn from it. By the
time that Hurricane Rita was coming over, instead of acting
just before and after, we acted significantly ahead of the
hurricane. We did the same with Hurricane Wilma. I would like
to say, in the State of Florida, 48 hours before Wilma was to
hit the State of Florida, every licensee has been contacted and
the State of Florida, with our support behind the lines,
established ways of ascertaining, after the hurricane, where
the sources were, and how the sources were.
So we could have done a little better, but we did what we
knew how to do at the time. We did learn from Katrina, and the
States learned from Katrina. I can tell you that right now, we
are much better prepared to take care of and account for all
the radioactive sources in the States of the United States.
Senator Jeffords. Thank you.
Mr. Hall, I understand the Fish and Wildlife Service has
damage estimates for the structures at the refuge in the areas
impacted by Katrina and Rita. But how will you assess the
damage to the habitat and the wildlife and when will that be
completed?
Mr. Hall. We are actually underway right now to try and get
a handle on what happened, what actually happened to the
habitat. Spartana Marsh was blown over and just inundated with
heavy saltwater and a lot of that is dying. Some of this will
be easy to see right away. When windblows come through and
whole forests are blown over, then you immediately know what
happened.
Some of the salt blow-ins from the storm may take a little
bit before we can actually see the death of the marsh. We can
already see significant areas that were marsh that are now open
water, that were forests and are blown over. We are underway
right now trying to make that assessment. We know that on our
National Wildlife Refuges alone that over 150,000 acres were
impacted. We want to try and get a little better grip and
certainty on the numbers before we come back and try and answer
exactly how much.
Senator Jeffords. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Senator Vitter. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Isakson.
Senator Isakson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Diaz, thank you for the great report. You don't hear
all the good news that comes out of tragedies, but to know that
our nuclear facilities were all safe and unharmed is a great
credit to you and your agency. The same to Mr. Hall, the
success story and the response attitude, lead, follow or get
out of the way, your agency did a great job in that. I wish
everybody had done the same, but you did a great job with that.
Mr. Baruah used a term in his written statement, and I
think I heard it a couple of times in his public statement
about, talking about the near-term, responding in the near-term
to the aftermath of Katrina. I would like to focus a little bit
on the long-term. I will start with you, Mr. Hall.
It seems to me the decisions that are ultimately made by
the Corps of Engineers are going to have a huge impact on the
overall plan for everybody else, am I correct?
Mr. Hall. Yes, sir.
Senator Isakson. In fact, I remember talking to Senator
Vitter when we first arrived here together. I have a little bit
of an investment in New Orleans, I sent most of my money and my
children to Tulane and went on my honeymoon there. So I have a
special place for the Maison d'Ville and for Tulane University.
But my concern as a former real estate developer in looking
at the absolute tragedy is that this is not a chicken or egg
thing. The thing that comes first is what the Corps decides to
do, both with regard to the estuary as well as the port
facility, which is the huge facility that is the economic
engine of the city, and to a large measure, to the
redevelopment of the city of New Orleans itself.
Do you have any comments on that?
Mr. Hall. Well, we will be, I think you are on target. As I
said in my opening statement, I believe very strongly that in
order to reach a Category 5 protection level, we have to have
coastal marshes out there helping to slow the storms down
before they ever reach the structures.
In my view, and I am not an expert on the engineering and
hydrology, but in my view, it is the coastal marshes that
protect the levees and it is the levees that protect the
people. If we want a long-term look at how to make sure that we
are prepared for the structures and the investments that we
make, we need to look at all of the potential protective
mechanisms. Those marshes that have been going away at the rate
of 24 square miles a year before Katrina I think probably had
an impact on how well the storm was abated.
Senator Isakson. Please correct me if this is not a correct
statement or semi-accurate statement, but failure for us, let
me take that back. To redevelop in the absence of knowing what
the decisions are on the Corps and on the infrastructure would
be a serious mistake, wouldn't it? To redevelop?
Mr. Hall. Well, I would certainly hope that we have all the
facts before we make any decisions.
Senator Isakson. I guess the other point I would make, and
I know the distinguished Mayor of New Orleans is here and we
are going to hear from him, but one of the things also,
sometimes great things come out of abject tragedies. Certainly
the tragedy in New Orleans is huge.
Redeveloping can be a renaissance. But it also might need
that the redevelopment doesn't necessarily totally take the
form, the location, the place of what it is replacing. That is
one thing that I hope all of you will do in coordinating with
Mr. Powell. We want to make sound investments for the future,
so when the taxpayers' money is invested, it is invested in
improvements, capital improvements that are built in
coordination with an infrastructure plan and a Corps analysis
that this type of tragedy couldn't happen again to those same
redeveloped investments, if I am making myself reasonably clear
on that.
Last comment, I want to commend the Economic Development
Administration. The key statement that you made, sir, was that
the key is the investment of the private sector. If we do smart
work on the infrastructure and Government is a catalyst for
private sector investment, then the long-term future of New
Orleans will be better off than if Government considers itself
the key to long-term investment.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Vitter. Thank you, Senator, and I certainly want to
echo a lot of your comments. The Corps does need to lead the
way in terms of that protection plan and for that very reason.
If we go back to the old time table and the regular order in
terms if big Corps projects where this wouldn't be done for 20
years, the whole redevelopment is dead in the water for that
very reason. So this committee has to play a crucial part in
streamlining that process so we can figure it out and have a
model and move forward on it in a fairly timely way.
I just want to have one more round of questions. First of
all, I know that Chairman Diaz has a flight to catch for a
meeting. So I want to thank him now for attending and
participating in the hearing. Thank you very much, Chairman.
Mr. Diaz. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Vitter. I wanted to follow up with Mr. Winstead in
particular. In your testimony, you state that as of October 27,
3 Government-owned buildings and 33 leased locations remained
closed as a result of Katrina. What is the total universe of
which that is a subset, No. 1, and No. 2, what are the plans to
get those buildings, 3 owned, 33 leased, back up and running
and open? What is the time table for that?
Mr. Winstead. Chairman, within Region 4 and Region 7, we
now have the 36 closed buildings remaining as a result of
Hurricane Katrina. We are now in the process, through our
offices in the regions to get them open over the next number of
months. I think they are moving as quickly as they can to make
sure that any mold issues and other damage issues are cleaned
up as effectively as possible.
Senator Vitter. Is that just the owned side or is that the
owned and leased side?
Mr. Winstead. Both owned and leased, there are about, as I
mentioned in my testimony, about 12-15 leases that were so
severely impacted that termination may be necessary. Some of
them are still being negotiated because the leased space is
still not suitable. So we are working quickly to find optional
available space. But we are trying to get them back into those
buildings after the landlords clean them up.
Senator Vitter. So based on that, is it fair to say within
2 to 3 months most of that will be resolved and reopened?
Mr. Winstead. Senator, I think that is accurate. Jim Weller
is here, but we will get for the record actually when those
remaining spaces will be completed. But I think it is within
that period of time. That is correct.
Senator Vitter. OK. Also, I think you have said that your
initial GSA damage estimates were $60 million for total capital
repair and replacement costs and $15 million for additional
operating costs.
Mr. Winstead. That is correct.
Senator Vitter. Is that your current estimate?
Mr. Winstead. That is correct.
Senator Vitter. The $15 million for operating costs, what
does that mean, additional operating costs?
Mr. Winstead. In terms of restoring the space to full
operations in terms of equipment that has been damaged, and in
terms of obviously the repair work needed on the buildings
themselves.
Senator Vitter. I guess I would consider that on the
capital repair and replacement side. So I am not sort of
understanding the distinction. Wouldn't that go to the $60
million capital repair and replacement?
Mr. Winstead. It is $60 million in terms of repair as well
as operating support for getting the tenants back into the
space. That is $15 million more on top of the $60 million.
Senator Vitter. OK. What is operating support as opposed to
repair, replacement, infrastructure replacement?
Mr. Winstead. It basically includes all the--Jim, do you
want to comment?
Mr. Weller. The extra $15 million is focused on 24-hour
operations to super-cool the buildings, to the additional staff
we have had to bring in to maintain that and operate those
buildings during the initial recovery effort.
Senator Vitter. OK. That's all the follow-up I had. Senator
Jeffords, do you have any additional questions?
Senator Jeffords. Yes, I do. Mr. Baruah, in your testimony
you state that the Administration is not seeking additional
funding for EDA to help rebuild the Gulf Coast. Given the scale
of the economic development needs in the affected areas, I find
this difficult to understand. Don't you think EDA could add
more jobs and generate more economic activity if greater
resources were brought to the table?
Mr. Baruah. Senator Jeffords, EDA has played various roles
in disasters over the last generation. Since 1969 we have spent
roughly a half a billion dollars in disaster recovery
situations. But they have ranged from very large engagements
such as in 1992, Hurricane Andrew, when EDA had $70 million in
supplemental appropriations for the purposes of helping to
rebuild Florida after Andrew, to just last year, when Florida
was hit by a series of four hurricanes in a row, EDA did not
receive special supplemental funds for disaster recovery. But
we did use existing regularly appropriated funds, and we worked
very closely with Governor Bush's office and the folks from
Florida and were quite effective using our normally
appropriated funds.
So again, we view ourselves as part of a larger puzzle. We
will play the role that we are asked to play by, obviously, the
White House and the Congress.
Senator Jeffords. Mr. Winstead, can you comment on how the
GSA's ability to respond in a disaster would be altered if you
had the authority to enter into emergency leases up to 5 years
rather than 180 days under the current authority?
Mr. Winstead. Senator, I think our ability to respond with
the current leasing authority has been good in terms of the
operations and backing up FEMA. Obviously the new bill that the
Chairman has introduced would modify that authority and allow
entering into emergency leases for major disasters. It would
help facilitate responding quicker. I think that our agency is
now looking at that as this bill has been introduced. So I
think it would aid our efforts in responding quicker.
Senator Jeffords. Thank you. Any other comments?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Vitter. Thank you. I know Director Hall has a
meeting with the Secretary and needs to be excused, so I will
do that now, and thank you, Director, for being here.
Senator Isakson, do you have any follow-up?
Senator Isakson. Just one quick question of Mr. Winstead.
Do you have, does GSA have any responsibility over Stafford Act
requirements of the Federal Government in terms of
infrastructure replacement that is nonfederal in nature?
Mr. Winstead. Senator, I am not absolutely sure of that,
but I can get you information on the record on it.
Senator Isakson. I know we have some responsibility up to
90 percent of replacement in terms of some infrastructure that
is either State or local and not Federal. I was just wondering
if you did. That's the only question I have, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Vitter. OK. Thank you. With that, we will dismiss
the first panel. Thank you very much for participating.
Our second panel is both very focused and very
distinguished. It is the Hon. Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans.
The Mayor has been to hell and back several times since the
storm. I am not sure where Capitol Hill sits on that spectrum,
but in any case, welcome. We are eager to hear your testimony,
Mayor.
STATEMENT OF HON. C. RAY NAGIN, MAYOR, CITY OF
NEW ORLEANS, LA
Mayor Nagin. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, I want
to thank you for inviting me here to speak to you today about
the City of New Orleans, a wonderful, unique city that has had
some devastation. To all the Members of Congress and especially
our Louisiana delegation, I want to thank everyone for their
hard work and their patience, and most importantly, for their
attention to this very important issue.
I would also like to thank the American people for their
compassion and generosity that they have shown our citizens who
are now spread over at least 44 different States throughout
this great country. You have treated our people very well, and
we are eternally grateful.
New Orleans is surrounded by the greater waters of the
United States. But while they provide our life blood, they also
threaten our very existence. Our levees and pumps protect our
city, and although these systems ordinarily meet the water
challenges facing us, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita changed lives
forever in New Orleans.
As you know, on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina
devastated the city of New Orleans, forcing many people to
flee, flooding thousands of homes and decimating many lives.
Our storm protection systems just did not work well enough. The
levees were overtopped and/or destroyed. All business was
halted. Hospitals were closed, electricity was stopped,
communication systems were nonexistent, and fresh water
services were pretty much totally disabled.
Now we have a great challenge before us, ladies and
gentlemen. We need to rebuild this great city. In order to do
this, we need this committee's help in the combination of
structural and nonstructural flood control measures.
Our first challenge is to ensure the safety and security of
our citizens. The Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers has
assured me that flood defenses for New Orleans will be restored
by June 2006, which I might add is the beginning of the next
hurricane season, to pre-Katrina levels. The Corps commander
also acknowledged that this will provide little comfort in a
city devastated by a storm and whose flood protection is not as
strong as it should be.
Now is the time for this country to make a commitment to
upgrade our levee systems and the associated protection with
that. I am humbly asking for you to immediately provide the
assistance necessary to protect us against a Category 3 plus
storm. Immediately thereafter, follow with an upgrade to a
Category 5 protection system that is world-class.
I am also asking for our drainage to be a top priority. The
Southeast Louisiana Flood Control, or SELA Project, has to be
finished as soon as possible. We must renovate and replace our
water and sanitation infrastructures which were badly damaged.
We also need a comprehensive plan to rebuild the marshlands
of southeast Louisiana, which you heard from the first panel is
incredibly important.
Also with the rebuilding of our levee systems to help
protect the city from a dangerous storm, we are also asking you
to help us to re-establish our businesses. We must revitalize
our business climate with tax breaks to help stimulate re-
investment and economic development.
I am asking for the establishment of the New Orleans
Katrina Tax Recovery and Jobs Incentives Zone that would
include some unique incentives. First off, a 50 percent credit
on taxable wages capped at $50,000 for single taxpayers and
$100,000 for joint returns. In addition, a 50 percent credit
based upon employer's total payroll for employees who live and
work in the zone; and an income tax-free zone for manufacturing
companies and a full relocation tax credit for uncompensated
expenses.
These incentives would last for 5 to 7 years or until the
population in New Orleans reached pre-Katrina levels, whichever
comes first. They would have a specific sunset. All we are
asking you is to help us to get back on our feet and then we
will take it from there.
The city understands the problems businesses face. We were
forced to lay off almost half our work force in the city of New
Orleans because of the total loss of all revenue streams for
the city of New Orleans. We must fix the Stafford Act so
governments facing crises like these have more flexibility to
pay its workers and to keep critical Government services going.
I know that some progress has been made. The cap, the 25
percent cap has been raised on the CDL funds. But I must point
out that the same percentage, the 25 percent, is allowed for a
whole city, as someone who is hosting evacuees, there is the
same percentage that a city that has lost all of its revenues.
I would humbly ask you to take a look at that. Finally, our
transportation systems have suffered heavy losses that will
require Federal assistance to repair and replace. I would hope
that we would look closely at a light rail system that would
provide a very much-needed, another tool for rapid evacuation
out of the city.
We are already moving to bring New Orleans back. I have a
17-member commission that we have established that has a charge
of putting together a master plan to rebuild our city. Their
work will be substantially complete, if not finally complete,
by the end of this year, which will provide us with the guide
that we need to move forward.
Each member of this commission is very diverse, and they
are individuals in New Orleans who are of the highest ethics
and integrity. We feel as though this is necessary.
In conclusion, we are right now facing a critical point:
when businesses and residents are deciding whether to stay
where they are or to come back to New Orleans. Eighty percent
of our electrical services have been restored in our targeted
areas, 60 percent of our gas services have been restored. Water
and sewer has been restored in these targeted areas. Schools
are reopening. The private sector is ready to invest in New
Orleans. They need some comfort and some confidence that the
Federal Government is going to provide us the assistance
necessary to fix our levee systems, No. 1, so that we can move
forward and be confident.
I am encouraged by President Bush's promise of Federal
assistance to help us. Because we have the best people in New
Orleans and in our area to rebuild our city with the
partnership with the Federal Government, we can get the job
done.
My administration's track record shows we understand the
responsibility that accompanies significant Federal aid. We are
committed to spending every penny wisely, whether it is direct
funding or whether we are doing it in partnership with the
Federal Government.
I want to thank you again for inviting me. New Orleans must
be rebuilt. The President basically said he cannot imagine this
country without a New Orleans, without its uniqueness and
without its commerce. As you talk to the Commerce Department,
you are going to find out just how important our port is and
the infrastructure as it deals with oil and gas.
I did have the opportunity to meet with Mr. Powell this
morning. I had a chance to sit down with him. I am extremely
encouraged. He is a man of accomplishments. He is a man of
significant integrity. We look forward to working with him and
we both pledge to do whatever it takes for us to try and
rebuild this great city.
I stand ready to provide whatever information, whatever
support that this committee needs as we continue to move
forward in dealing with this national crisis. Thank you.
Senator Vitter. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. We will
kick off questions now.
My first question goes to the fact that I am very concerned
that over time, the perception of the Katrina event sort of
drifts back to, well, it was another hurricane event, it was a
bad hurricane event, maybe it was on the really bad end of the
spectrum, but it was just another big hurricane event. Whereas,
as you and I know from being on the ground, it is really a
whole other category, the evacuation of a major American city,
the first time that has happened since the Civil War, first
time in modern history.
Can you put some flesh on the bones of that and explain
what a major evacuation this is in terms of a major
metropolitan area?
Mayor Nagin. Well, you know, since I don't get the Guiliani
pass, I will try and explain it in those terms. When 9/11
happened, which was a traumatic event for the country, it only
affected a small portion of New York. This event, this storm,
devastated an entire city.
In addition to that, all communication networks were out.
Everything was down. Eighty percent of our city was underwater.
So for a number of weeks we could not communicate, for a number
of days I should say, and we could not move around the city.
In addition to that, according to Admiral Allen, right
before the storm hit, we evacuated 1.5 million people out of
the metropolitan area of New Orleans. It was the largest,
according to Admiral Allen, the largest single evacuation in
this country's history. So this is just not an event where a
storm comes through and blows hard and knocks down some trees
and then everybody is back to normal. This is a storm that
totally devastated an area.
The lingering effects of that are still being felt 9 weeks
after the event. The devastation, the lost lives, we still have
361 people that are sitting in a morgue in St. Gabriel, LA,
where we still have not been able to identify who they are. As
of last week, we were still recovering bodies in some sections
of the city.
Senator Vitter. Again, going back to the breadth and the
scope of the devastation, how many of your citizens are still
evacuated, dislocated, and what portion of the electricity is
back, not in the targeted areas, which you mentioned, but in
the entire city as we speak today?
Mayor Nagin. Well, as far as the number of people that are
back, that is still something that we are trying to get our
arms around. But the last report that I saw basically said
there were 150,000 people in the city on a daily basis, living
and working. At night there were probably 60,000 to 75,000
people that were sleeping in the city overnight. Compare that
to 480,000 people that lived in the city prior to the event.
Senator Vitter. Right. What about electricity city-wide?
Mayor Nagin. Electricity city-wide is about 60 percent. In
the targeted areas that we have, it would be everything west of
the Industrial Canal to include the west bank of Algiers. In
the areas where we haven't been able to get any significant
power is in New Orleans East, and in the Lower Ninth Ward.
Senator Vitter. Right. One thing I hear all the time up
here is real searching for a common plan and vision coming out
of Louisiana. How would you see moving forward with your
commission, with the Governor's separate commission and with
this new Federal coordinator to sort of present a single common
plan that people can embrace up here?
Mayor Nagin. Well, you know, that is happening naturally as
I can see it. Well, maybe naturally or not naturally, it
depends upon your perspective. But we put together our
commission, it got out front, the President came down and met
with our commission and was very impressed. The Governor came
out with her commission, which has some very impressive people
on it also.
We have a committee structure that is set up, seven key
committees. It is my understanding the Governor's commission
has pretty much adopted that structure also, with the addition
of two more committees.
We have also cross-pollinated each other, so I have one of
my commission members who sits on her commission and vice
versa. We are in regular communication.
As I mentioned earlier in my testimony, I met with Chairman
Powell. I am really encouraged by his knowledge of what is
going on and his sense of how he could fit in and how he could
help to drive what is going on in our region as far as the
rebuild. More importantly, how we can do it at the highest
level of integrity to make sure that this country is
comfortable that the money and the investment that they make
they will get a good return on that.
Senator Vitter. All right. Thank you, Mayor.
Ranking Member Jeffords.
Senator Jeffords. Mr. Mayor, I know you are working hard to
balance the need for people to return and the need to ensure
that the environmental hazards, such as toxic mold, to not put
those people at risk. How often are you speaking with or
hearing from the EPA and how useful have those communications
been?
Mayor Nagin. Well, we just had another briefing from the
EPA this past Monday. The EPA has been working with us pretty
diligently to make sure that we are assessing the threats to
the public safety.
Initially, the EPA was a little reluctant to issue written
reports as far as what was actually going on in the city of New
Orleans. Then we finally got some reports and they have been
working with us on an ongoing basis to make sure that there are
no further threats to our citizens.
If I could, we monitor the hospital activity on a daily
basis. We are not at this time seeing any health trends that
cause us any concerns, whether they be respiratory issues, the
respiratory illnesses that we are seeing in the city of New
Orleans is pretty flat-lined, and it is not showing any
significant increase. So we are going to continue to monitor
that with EPA support.
Senator Jeffords. What process do you have set up to ensure
that consideration of environmental risk is a part of the
decision making process when considering whether people should
return to New Orleans, and how are you informing those who
return of the protections that they should take?
Mayor Nagin. Everything we do basically centers around
public safety, whether it be police support with the National
Guard, or whether it be the EPA's concern about any toxins. We
are constantly communicating to the public any potential risks
that they have. As they come into the city, we have a fact
sheet that we are giving everyone, as well as putting on our
Web site, which advises them on how to enter the city, what
type of masks they should be using if they are in the heavily
flooded areas. We are advising them to wear boots and gloves
and to make sure that they are taking breaks and they are
working in teams and not going in there individually.
Senator Jeffords. Can you describe how average citizens of
New Orleans, many of whom are spread all over the Nation, are
being offered a chance to participate in the planning underway
at the Bring New Orleans Back Commission?
Mayor Nagin. Well, we are basically starting the process,
sir, where all of our commission meetings are taped, both for
radio and television. In addition to that, I have been going
around to the different cities where a significant number of
our population is being housed. We are talking to them about
the current level of services in the city, the plans, and are
in the process of doing charettes to make sure that they have a
voice in exactly how the city will be rebuilt.
Senator Jeffords. Based on your experiences in Katrina, can
you comment on the basic structure of our Federal emergency
response system to depend on the State and local governments as
first responders and to provide Federal assistance when asked
by the State and local governments once their resources are
overwhelmed?
Mayor Nagin. That's a loaded question, right?
[Laughter.]
Senator Jeffords. Yes.
Mayor Nagin. You know, as I reflect upon what happened, I
must tell you that we as a country can do much better. I could
have done a better job as Mayor, the State could have done a
better job, as well as the Federal Government.
My experience with this event basically pointed out a
couple of things. There needs to be some final authority that
can make the calls within the first 5 days of an event. I kind
of witnessed a dance, if you will, as it relates to who had the
final authority between the State and the Federal Government. I
think that caused a delay in response.
In addition to that, the FEMA support that we received, we
had some individuals that were onsite immediately and that were
feeding back information. But the support system that FEMA had
was just not adequate enough to respond quickly to the needs of
this type of crisis.
Senator Jeffords. Earlier you mentioned some concerns you
had with the Stafford Act. I wondered if you could enlighten me
as to what those concerns were and what might we do.
Mayor Nagin. My concerns are primarily two-fold. I am
running a government that basically is out of cash. We had
emergency responders that were working 20 to 22 hours a day. We
really couldn't pay them. We were able to put through a work
plan, which is a whole other discussion on how that process
works, on how you get funding, to basically pay our responders.
Once we got it approved and got the money in the bank, we
learned that the rules associated with paying first responders
would only allow us to pay overtime. So we got $102 million
through a work plan to pay first responders and do some other
critical things. All I can use it for is overtime. So I have
spent maybe $15 million to $20 million of that money. So that
money is sitting in the bank.
The second issue is what happens as we try to continue to
run city government. We have the Stafford Act that has been
modified, I can now pull down 25 percent of my total annual
revenues to keep city government going after we have laid off
half our work force. The process of getting that money seems to
be very slow, No. 1, and it only allows me to operate city
government until March of next year. After that, it is kind of
anybody's guess on what we are going to do going forward.
Senator Jeffords. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Senator Vitter. Thank you. Senator Isakson.
Senator Isakson. First of all, I want to thank you, Mayor,
for your response to the FEMA question. You didn't take the
bait, and you accepted, as all of us should, part of the
responsibility. I think that's what all of us have to do
looking forward to the future, so I appreciate that.
Back to my questions I had asked in the previous panel. I
may not have this right, but the way I see it, the Corps has a
number of decisions to be made, both with regard to the estuary
and the environment, as well as the Mississippi River, as well
as Lake Pontchartrain and as well as the city of New Orleans.
It seems to me, you said, I believe, that you had been told by
the Corps that they would have the city restored to pre-Katrina
levels of protection by June 2006. We all know that means a
level Category 3 storm, right?
Mayor Nagin. Right.
Senator Isakson. The long-term prognosis, and what the
ultimate protection is going to be, none of us know yet.
Mayor Nagin. That is true.
Senator Isakson. I had asked the question of the previous
panel members, or inferred a question which I will ask you
directly. It seems to me that the land use of the New Orleans
of the future is going to have a lot to do with what decisions
the Corps makes or the decisions the Corps makes is going to
have a lot to do with the land use, Ninth Ward, for example,
other areas within the city of New Orleans.
Is your 17-member commission dealing with the
considerations for the new land use of the new New Orleans
understanding that some of the things that were destroyed might
not be rebuilt the way they were built originally?
Mayor Nagin. Well, you know, our commission is definitely
dealing with land issues and land use issues. We have ULI,
which is the Urban Land Institute, that is working with us,
which is an internationally known institute that helps cities
and countries to design themselves efficiently. As it relates
to the Corps of Engineers, we are making a fundamental
assumption right now, as it relates to our planning. That
assumption is that the Corps of Engineers, with some help from
the best minds in the world, will figure out a way to provide
us pretty quickly with adequate protection, storm protection as
it relates to Category 3 or Category 3 plus.
I might add that pre-Katrina, the levee systems were at a
height of 12 to 13 feet, whereas normally they are 15 feet. But
it is pretty much dirt, so it has subsided. The Corps tells me
that they are planning to raise those levees at least up to a
17-foot standard with some reinforcements that we never had
before.
So with that information, we are looking at how to rebuild
the city. It is not just the Ninth Ward that we are considering
as far as being somewhat of a challenge, but we have New
Orleans East and we have the area around the 17th Street Canal,
which is primarily the Lakeview areas. All of those areas are
probably going to build to a different standard, one that
probably raises their foundations. In addition to that, it may
require them to build homes that have on the first levels
pretty much garages and then they would live on the second and
third levels.
Senator Isakson. For me personally, that is very
encouraging, that you are taking that comprehensive a look.
Because when you do redevelop, you don't ever want to have a
do-over again, after what you have been through. There are a
lot of things, had we known what we know about Katrina in
advance, we would have never done the way we did them.
So now that we have learned that lesson, and I say that
because I feel some responsibility to repeat to you some of
what I hear, being a member of the Senate from another State
that wasn't hit, that is equally compassionate. We have 10,000
Louisiana kids in our public schools and about 23,000 folks in
the State of Georgia, if my numbers are about correct.
But folks want to make sure these massive amounts of
Federal monies, whether they be Stafford monies or monies in
the redevelopment or the improvement of the levee, are done
right and are done in coordination with a plan that we don't
ever have to do this again, God willing, or we do the best we
can to correct the mistakes of the past, which were not
mistakes of the head but probably of the heart. We don't want
to ``throw good money after bad.'' I think that's what the
taxpayers of the United States are looking for.
Mayor Nagin. We wouldn't want to see that, either, Senator.
If I could, I would like to send you an e-mail that I got which
basically showed levee systems in Britain, the levee systems
that the Dutch have built, as well as the Italians. Then it
compared it to what we built. We can do much better. We
definitely can build to a world-class standard that we don't
have today.
Senator Isakson. I will give you my e-mail after your
testimony. Thanks.
Mayor Nagin. Thank you.
Senator Vitter. Thank you. I want to welcome Senator
Lautenberg of New Jersey who has joined us.
Senator Lautenberg. Thank you, Senator Vitter. I have a
statement that I would like included in the record as if
presented.
Senator Vitter. Without objection.
[The referenced statement was not received at time of
print.]
Senator Lautenberg. Mayor, welcome here.
Mayor Nagin. Thank you.
Senator Lautenberg. You come with substantial burdens, but
the pleas that you make to the Federal Government are
appropriate. New Orleans is one of our great cities in this
country and we neglect to see its role in commerce and industry
as clearly as we should.
Mayor Nagin. Yes.
Senator Lautenberg. So the shock of this whole thing will
never be felt in other places like it was felt in New Orleans,
but all of us, I would say, grieved with you. The picture of
the people in the water up to their shoulders, in some cases,
bundles on their heads, was painful to watch. I think all of us
in our way tried to help. I did, and so did many others.
When do you think it was realized that you would have a
serious flooding problem? The hurricane hit its force on
Monday, right?
Mayor Nagin. Yes.
Senator Lautenberg. When did people in New Orleans
recognize that this was going to be----
There was a FEMA gentleman who was on the ground, his name
is Marty--I forget his last name--Bahamadi.
Mayor Nagin. He came to see me right after the storm hit,
which was probably some time Monday afternoon.
Senator Lautenberg. He was there, I think, Saturday evening
or at the latest Sunday. He was the sole FEMA person there.
Mayor Nagin. Yes. We were waiting for the winds to die down
to go out and assess the damage. He came and met with me and he
basically told me that he had a chance to get up and fly around
the city. He had seen the devastation.
Senator Lautenberg. That was after it struck.
Mayor Nagin. Yes, that was after it struck.
Senator Lautenberg. What I am interested in is before.
Because I was at another committee that we have, General
Accountability Committee, and we had as a witness Dr. Ivor Van
Heerden, who is the director of the Center for Studies of
Public Health Impacts of Hurricanes at LSU. He handed out
several photos and graphs of what might have been taking place.
This is Advisory 18, submitted on Saturday at 2200 hours. It
says that New Orleans will flood, Saturday.
Did you or the people you were relying on expect that the
city would flood anywhere near like it did?
Mayor Nagin. We knew that this was a pretty serious storm.
But if I could step back a minute and just kind of give you
some sense of what we were dealing with. Katrina was a very
deceptive storm. On Thursday, I think it started to become a
major storm. Friday it was pointed toward Florida and maybe
parts of Mississippi. On Saturday, it was sunny skies in New
Orleans and it was pointed toward us. At that time we started
to escalate the evacuation calls, while people were out at
soccer stadiums with their kids.
Saturday afternoon I got a call to contact Max Mayfield,
the head of the Hurricane Center in Miami. After talking with
Max, I had thought we had done a great job, because we had
estimated that we had evacuated at least 80 percent of our
residents, which was unprecedented. Max told me at that point
in time that this storm was the real deal, the conditions were
like none he had seen in his 33 year history, and that if he
were me, he would order an evacuation, and get everybody out of
that city.
I hung up the phone with him and immediately called my city
attorney and said, I don't care what we have to do, we are
issuing a mandatory evacuation. Because there was also this
legal problem with issuing a mandatory evacuation that you knew
you couldn't very well carry out because you had so many
residents that depended on public transportation. So the next
morning, we issued the mandatory evacuation, expecting that the
city would be hit very hard.
Senator Lautenberg. When do you think it was apparent that
there were problems with the structure of the levees, with
their capacity to withstand kind of the more serious strains?
Was that talked about in New Orleans over any length of time,
or is that a new discovery?
Mayor Nagin. Well, we always knew that the levee system was
built to a Category 3 standard that really hadn't been tested
in a while. So we really weren't certain exactly what would
happen if we got hit with the big one. We knew from some slosh
models that we had that there would be a significant amount of
flooding. I sought to advise the citizens, as this threat
started to become more of a reality, to make sure that they
evacuated first, but if they didn't evacuate, to make sure that
they had access to a second floor or third floor.
Senator Lautenberg. Because on Thursday, September 1, the
President was on the program Good Morning America. He said he
didn't think that anybody anticipated the breach of the levees,
and we had Marty Bahamadi here. He said there had been several
years of discussion about the weakness of the levee system and
that problems could occur. I didn't know whether that was a
common topic in New Orleans or Louisiana.
Mayor Nagin. Well, levees are always discussed, Senator.
But they are discussed in a couple of different contexts. They
are discussed in the context of the city of New Orleans, as it
relates to our protection. There are other levee systems in St.
Bernard and Plaquemines Parish that we are always talking
about, because there are multiple lines of defense as it
relates to hurricane protection, the marsh lands, the levees
down in St. Bernard and Plaquemines, and then ultimately the
levees in New Orleans.
So they are always discussed, but they haven't really been
tested since 1965 in a major way, when Hurricane Betsy hit the
city.
Senator Lautenberg. Do you think the city can be rebuilt to
its former self?
Mayor Nagin. I think it can be rebuilt better. But the
issue is, how quickly can we get the levee systems back up to
standard and make them even better than they were before.
Senator Lautenberg. Mr. Chairman, I am sorry to take, if I
can, just 1 minute more. Because as part of the hearing that we
had earlier and the graphs that were shown, there seem to have
been many instances, and I think one of them was 17th Street, I
have marked a page 17th Street----
Mayor Nagin. Yes.
Senator Lautenberg [continuing]. Where the water actually
came in under the levees. I don't know how deep you have to put
a footing to ever accommodate that kind of a condition. Is that
one of the things that is----
Mayor Nagin. Yes, well, we talked about it after the event,
from the standpoint of, we knew we had this breach at the 17th
Street Canal, and we were trying to get helicopters up with
these 5,000 pound sand bags to basically fill in the gap or the
breach area, to stop the flooding. Once we started to drop sand
bags, it was revealed at that point in time that there was a
25-foot crater that was in the breach area, if that is what you
are talking about.
Senator Lautenberg. I have several more questions, Mr.
Chairman, but I know that my time is used. So thanks, Mayor.
Lots of good luck, and keep up the fight.
Mayor Nagin. Thank you, sir.
Senator Vitter. Thank you, Senator. Now we have our
Chairman returned, Senator Inhofe.
Senator Inhofe. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Mayor Nagin. Hello, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Inhofe. Mayor Nagin, my heart bleeds for you. I had
a hard job once, I was the mayor of a major city.
Mayor Nagin. Do you want to swap?
Senator Inhofe. No, sir, I don't.
[Laughter.]
Senator Inhofe. In fact, I have told my friends here, if
you want a hard job, you become a mayor.
Mayor Nagin. Yes, sir.
Senator Inhofe. When I was mayor, you had Mayor Morial, was
there.
Mayor Nagin. Yes.
Senator Inhofe. I was down and met you just a couple of
days afterwards, we had the majority leader put together the
chairmen of all the committees that were affected and the
Ranking Members to go down and visit and assess. This committee
has more jurisdiction, as you heard in my opening statement,
than any other committees do.
A few weeks ago, there seemed to be a great deal of
confusion on opening up parts of the city. You were inviting
people back in at the same time we were getting reports from
the EPA and from the Centers for Disease Control and some other
things--maybe you have already covered this. If you have----
Mayor Nagin. No, no, go ahead.
Senator Inhofe. On the third panel, a witness charges that
people are not being properly informed about the risks upon
returning to their homes. I would ask you, how are you handling
this? Do you think that is a fair charge to make?
Mayor Nagin. Well, you know, I think if people are looking
at the total repopulation of the city, then I think it was
somewhat risky. But our strategy has always been to work from
the dry areas first. Those dry areas were up against the
Mississippi, pretty much up against the Mississippi River in
the areas that had the least flooding or no flooding at all.
From that standpoint, there were never any concerns about any
environmental issues. That was always a green light. The only
issue we had was, could we get good, safe drinking water
through the pipes in the city of New Orleans. We were able to
work through that also.
Now, as it relates to other areas of the city, we waited
until we got a written report from the EPA before we opened up
those areas.
Senator Inhofe. Was there ever any communication problem
between you and the EPA or you and the Centers for Disease
Control?
Mayor Nagin. You would have to ask them that. I kept asking
for----
Senator Inhofe. Well, I did, and they said to ask you.
[Laughter.]
Mayor Nagin. Well, I kept asking for written reports, and
there seemed to have been a reluctance to grant those.
Eventually, we got them.
Senator Inhofe. As you know, this committee has a huge
jurisdiction, and it also has jurisdiction over Superfund
sites. Senator Vitter and I had written a letter to both the
EPA and the Corps of Engineers to caution against opening up
old landfills, before they used up the existing capacity. We
don't want to be cleaning up New Orleans as the creation of new
Superfund sites, especially when Federal dollars are being
spent for the intent of cleaning up.
One of the sites that was reopened by the State after we
wrote the letter is at least partially owned by the city, it
was the old Gentille landfill.
Mayor Nagin. Yes, sir.
Senator Inhofe. Could you tell us a little bit about that,
about the decision to open that up and what problems there
might be there, and why we didn't use up the existing capacity
of existing landfills that were in a position to do a better
job?
Mayor Nagin. Well, you know, sir, it is my understanding
that we were working with the State on that issue, and we got
clearance to open it. As far as any other existing landfills,
every landfill that is in the area, it is my understanding, is
being fully utilized.
Senator Inhofe. We need to explore that, because that's not
the information I have. I am not saying that you're wrong and
they are right, but somebody is wrong, because we are hearing
that there are newer, more modern existing landfill sites that
are just partially being used at this time.
Mayor Nagin. Well, we would like to know where they are.
Because we are in the process right now of stacking debris up
in three major sites in the city of New Orleans. We have 17
million cubic yards of debris to move. To this date, we have
moved about 2 million cubic yards. The issue is going to
become, how do we deal with all that debris, do we burn it, do
we move it, do we put it in some other landfill.
Senator Inhofe. I was there, and I understand that problem.
But I would, I think it would be worthwhile, Mr. Chairman,
for the record, to find out, because we are getting two
different stories on existing capacity. Thank you very much.
Senator Vitter. OK. Thank you.
Mayor, I just have a couple of follow-up questions. You
talk to business folks all the time.
Mayor Nagin. Yes.
Senator Vitter. Some are back, many are not. Many are in
Houston, Atlanta, elsewhere. What do they want to see and what
do they want to hear so that they can come back with the jobs
and investment that they represent?
Mayor Nagin. The thing they would like to see from the
Federal Government is a firm commitment on the levee systems.
Before they come back and invest, they want to make sure that
as they put their employees back in the city of New Orleans,
that they can put them back in a safe environment. So the
quicker we can confirm that the Corps will be building to a
higher Category 3 standard, and we tell the world that, I think
you are going to see an unleashing of an incredible amount of
business investment.
The second thing they are asking for is an environment that
encourages them, a tax environment, a business environment that
encourages them and welcomes them back to the city of New
Orleans. We are currently working on some State legislation
that is going to complement whatever legislation comes out of
the Federal Government. I am in the process of looking at, even
though we are a broke city, at some incentives on the local
level.
So it is my hope and the business community's hope that
they will have incentives at all levels of government to
encourage them and hopefully somewhat make them whole as they
come back to the city of New Orleans.
Third, they are looking for a good public school system.
There is some legislation that I think the State is working on
as we speak to deal with our public education system, which was
in crisis prior to Katrina. So we have a wonderful opportunity
to address those three issues.
But the main thing they want to know is, what are we going
to do with the levees?
Senator Vitter. Of course, this committee has jurisdiction
over the Corps, and exactly that. I guess the challenge is to
communicate that commitment early, now.
Mayor Nagin. Yes.
Senator Vitter. But at the same time, folks up here want to
know what that looks like. Of course, it's not designed yet. So
we don't really know in any level of detail what at least a
Category 5 system looks like exactly. What are your thoughts
about how we accomplish communicating that commitment, while
still obviously telling folks up here, we're going to work out
the details in a responsible way and everything's on the table?
Mayor Nagin. If I could advise the committee on anything, I
think we ought to make a statement and commit to Katrina
standards protection, whatever that is.
I would further suggest that the committee form a
partnership with the Corps of Engineers and the best minds
around the world, put together an advisory group of the Dutch
and the Germans with Americans and whomever else that know this
and can do it very well to advise the Corps. I think we give
them the support necessary to go get the job done with a time
line.
Senator Vitter. Right. Well, the only area where I might
disagree is Katrina level standard. Because my understanding of
it is that by the time Katrina hit the city, not necessarily
Plaquemines Parish, but the city, it was almost certainly
Category 3 or less. I think we need at least in the core areas
of the city, we need to have an even significantly higher
standard than that.
Mayor Nagin. I would agree with that, Senator. I will tell
you this, that if that storm had gone a few miles west of New
Orleans, where we would have gotten the brunt of the strongest
winds, it could have been worse. It really could have been
worse.
Senator Vitter. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, do you have any follow-up questions?
Senator Inhofe. Mayor Nagin, there is some controversy over
what happened in 1977. In 1977, the Corps of Engineers was
embarking on a program to enhance the levees. They were
enjoined by an environmentalist group called Save the Wetlands
from doing that. Do you have any thoughts on that? What are
your thoughts on that?
Mayor Nagin. Well, I think that what happened in 1977, you
probably will see a different attitude from the
environmentalists. I think you are going to see more openness.
The Corps of Engineers came forth with several ideas since
1977. I also saw a butterfly concept that they proposed to put
some protection in the city of New Orleans that was rejected.
I think now that we have had this catastrophic event, there
will be more openness to the techniques that the Corps will
bring forward.
Senator Inhofe. Yes, but my question really was
specifically in 1977, because I have some quotes from some
professors at LSU and some people with the Corps of Engineers
that were actually there at the time and in charge that had
that not happened, that they were going to be in a position to
enhance that levee that would have taken care of--they didn't
call them Categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 back then, but something far
better than it was when Katrina hit.
So they specifically said if that, if I recall the quote
right, if they had not been enjoined to stop what they were
doing that it would have saved the city, one of the LSU
professors used that term.
Mayor Nagin. Well, not to disrespect any professors that
are out there, I am sure they have wonderful thoughts and
wonderful theses. Most of the modeling that I saw come out of
LSU had said if a Category 3 storm with a levee breach had
happened, we would lose 10,000 lives. There were other factors
in play where we didn't lose nearly that amount.
So I think the theories are nice. But I think we ought to
engage the best minds in the world to come up with a system
that works in today's environment.
Senator Inhofe. Well, of course, the Corps was claiming at
that time that that is what they were doing, they were
anticipating that this is not if it was going to happen, but
when it happens. I wasn't just referring to professors who are
maybe on some philosophical plane that doesn't communicate too
well, these were actually the directors of the Corps of
Engineers who were there at the time and were frustrated
because they knew that we had to do this, and they were stopped
by some environmentalist groups. You weren't there at the time.
Mayor Nagin. Yes, that predates me. I was in a different
world enjoying life.
[Laughter.]
Mayor Nagin. Mr. Chairman, all I can tell you is that it is
a different time and space now. You are going to find people
much more open and willing to do what it takes to provide the
protection. I don't think there is anyone in America that wants
to see this type of devastation ever, ever again. So we are
looking at everything at the city and the State level. We have
multiple levee boards that are set up by parish or by
municipality.
To me, that makes no sense. We should have one levee board
that deals with the Corps of Engineers and provides
comprehensive protection for the entire region.
Senator Vitter. Just to follow up on that thought, I think
the other opportunity that exists, looking forward, is to marry
this work with the work we are setting out to do but need to do
more aggressively, in my opinion, against coastal erosion,
which can get the environmental community excited and hopefully
a full partner in terms of doing both together, because they
both go to protecting populated areas against this sort of
devastation.
Mayor Nagin. Yes, the coast and marshlands are absolutely
critical. I think the formula is for every mile of marshland
that we have, it subsides the storm surge by 1 foot, which
could be critical when you have a major storm approaching any
area along the Gulf.
But if I could make one other point. I just happened to
stumble upon this article in the Dallas newspaper. It talked
about a new phenomena called the loop current. The reason why I
bring this up is these superstorms are most likely not going to
go away. The loop current is basically some warm waters that
are flowing from the Caribbean around Cuba into the Gulf of
Mexico. Normally when a storm hits, there are warm waters in
the Gulf, if a storm hasn't hit recently, but it stirs up the
cool water.
This loop current has really deep warm water, to the tune
of 200 to 300 feet deep. It stays in the Gulf for a long time.
It is something that the oil industry was watching and knew
about, because of the oil rigs. But the weather scientists are
just getting in tune to it.
I bring it up because if these superstorms are going to
constantly go in the Gulf, then it is going to impact not only
New Orleans, but it is going to impact the entire Gulf Coast.
As we are thinking about protection, we might want to think
about protecting some other communities as well.
Senator Vitter. Thank you.
Ranking Member Jeffords?
Senator Jeffords. No further questions.
Senator Vitter. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, for being
here. We deeply appreciate it.
Mayor Nagin. Thank you. I really appreciate your support.
Senator Vitter. If I can have everyone's attention, we will
move on to our third and final panel today, Panel III, which is
Mrs. Kim Dunn Chapital, environmental consultant with the Deep
South Center for Environmental Justice; and Mr. Bill Hines,
director of Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Mrs. Chapital, welcome, and please start your testimony.
STATEMENT OF KIM DUNN CHAPITAL, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT, DEEP
SOUTH CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Mrs. Chapital. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity
to testify before this committee. Let me begin by introducing
myself. My name is Kim Dunn Chapital, and I am here
representing the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at
Dillard University in New Orleans, formerly Xavier University
of Louisiana. For the past 5\1/2\ to 6 years, I have worked for
the Deep South Center of Environmental Justice as an
environmental trainer. With the Deep South Center, we typically
train individuals who are from low-income communities of color
in how to properly perform and conduct hazardous materials
removal and remediation and emergency response activities,
asbestos and lead abatement, as well as mold remediation.
In addition to working for Deep South Center, for the past
21 years, I have been employed by Tulane University's Office of
Environmental Health and Safety. Initially, I held the position
as a hazardous waste technician there, where I worked for about
a year and a half, was promoted to an industrial hygienist, and
since 1991, I have worked as the occupational health manager
for Tulane University's Office of Environmental Health and
Safety.
My activities include coordination of all of the
university's asbestos, lead and mold remediation projects. I
work with in- house crews as well as abatement contractors.
So I am here today as a voice amongst the thousands of
displaced individuals. I am an individual that lives in
Gentille in New Orleans. I am totally displaced. My family is
spread throughout the United States. So I speak not only for
myself, but also for many other primarily low-income people of
color.
I also come to you as an individual who is considered to be
more or less an expert in the field of environmental health and
safety. So I will begin by giving you a little bit of a story
that will help you to understand my issues that I think need to
be addressed.
Approximately 2\1/2\ to 3 weeks after Hurricane Katrina, I
returned back to the city for a number of reasons. This was
after having lived in shelters and a hotel with family and
friends. My family and I were very transient for about the
first 8 to 9 days.
But I returned after 2\1/2\ to 3 weeks to the city for a
number of reasons. No. 1, I had to go to training in order to
keep my accreditations and my credentials with the State. No.
2, I needed to address some of my own issues at my own home.
Then No. 3, I had been called upon to do quite a bit of
environmental consulting. As a result of Katrina, myself and
many other individuals have been quite in demand.
However, upon entering my home, where I had to be fully
dressed in gear in order to address the issues at my home, I
decided I needed to forego the actual consulting opportunities
that were before me. Those opportunities were there and they
will be there. I had numbers of people, family, friends,
friends of friends who knew people who were calling me, they
were asking me questions, Kim, how do I enter my home, what
items can I retrieve versus which items do I trash? What do I
need to know as far as what protection I need to put on and
what I need to wear and how do I decontaminate myself?
So what I opted to do is forego the environmental
consulting. I came in, I went to Red Cross locations once or
twice a day. I saw to it that individuals had the proper
respirators, even though many of them look like masks, and in
some instances where these respirators could not be found at
Red Cross locations, I went out and I actually purchased them.
I saw to it that people had the proper decontamination
buckets and brushes and items that they needed to enter into
their homes safely and I educated these people on things that
they could and could not do. But most of all, I tried to lend
emotional support. Because you see, when your home is here but
your new home is there, and your family is spread in so many
different locations, it is a logistical nightmare. You are
trying to address your insurance issues and you could never
understand, unless you have walked 1,000 miles in our shoes.
With all of this in mind, I would like to say that, with
information that I have seen, I believe, and information I have
read, I believe that EPA and other health agencies should have
immediately brought the environmental testing that is done to
i.d. toxic and hazardous sites for remediation and cleanup.
This will prevent any further or future releases or harms that
could be posed to individuals. I also ask that you reject all
efforts to weaken public health and environmental laws. Do not
waive and weaken laws which guarantee us, the citizens of New
Orleans, U.S. citizens, and just human beings, the right to a
very clean environment. Finally, one of the things that I
noticed that I found very disturbing is that there are not
enough public health advisories and information that has been
provided, especially to individuals of low economic status,
that will help them to properly and safely enter their homes.
You see, Katrina blew in on August 29, but Katrina is very much
still there. When people enter their homes, there is still
water that is in cups, dishes, inside china cabinets, inside
homes where it pockets. Many of these individuals are not aware
that they should not bring in their children.
I see on a daily basis people coming in with kids. I see
people entering residences and workplaces without personal
protective equipment on. Whereas they may be given hand
sanitizer from, let's say the Red Cross, they may clean their
hands, but then they immediately take off their boots and their
shoes with those same clean hands and throw them in the trunks
of their cars and carry that contamination off-site and
possibly to other people.
So I urge you, it is very important that we address these
issues if we are to revitalize New Orleans. I was there, I am
there currently working, and I intend to go back to New
Orleans. If others are to come back, we have to have the trust
of the Government that you all will address these issues in
order for individuals to return.
Thank you.
Senator Vitter. Thank you, Mrs. Chapital.
Bill Hines.
STATEMENT OF WILLIAM H. HINES, PAST CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBER,
GREATER NEW ORLEANS, INC.; COCHAIRMAN, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE, MAYOR'S BRING NEW ORLEANS BACK COMMISSION
Mr. Hines. Thanks, Senator. Good morning, Senator Vitter
and Senator Jeffords, and particularly Senator Vitter, thank
you for all the work you have been doing to help rebuild our
State after the storm.
My name is William Hines. I am the chairman of the
executive committee of the law firm of Jones, Walker, Waechter,
Poitevent, Carreere and Denegre, which is headquartered in New
Orleans. In my role today, I am the immediate past chair and a
continuing board member of Greater New Orleans, Inc., which is
the public-private partnership that spearheads economic
development initiatives for the 10-parish Greater New Orleans
region.
I will also mention, although it is not part of the
official testimony, I am the current chair of the United Way
Board for the New Orleans area. So we are working a lot on
social service needs for our community.
Additionally, at the request of Mayor Nagin, I have just
been appointed to serve as cochairman of the Economic
Development Committee for his Bring Back New Orleans
Commission.
I am grateful for the opportunity to appear before you
today to discuss the response and recovery efforts affecting
the future of New Orleans. On a personal note, I will add this
as well, my home also flooded and I probably did not exercise
good judgment and stayed during the storm. It was evacuated by
boat 5 days after the storm, so I can speak from a personal
standpoint of how difficult this was. My family was spread to
three different cities. At least two-thirds of us are back
together now, my son is now in Michigan, having moved from
Tulane.
It cannot be stated often enough: Hurricane Katrina was
like no other hurricane before it. The cataclysmic storm caused
unprecedented destruction and long-term interruption to
governmental services and economic activity. Again, Mayor Nagin
and I are the same age, and I was there in 1965 for Hurricane
Betsy, which I thought was a horrendous storm, but nothing in
comparison to this.
Never in the history of this Nation has a three-State area
been hit so hard, nor has an entire U.S. major metropolitan
city been evacuated for weeks on end. While Katrina occurred
over 2 months ago and seems to be largely fading from the front
pages of our Nation's newspapers, the lives of citizens of the
Greater New Orleans area have not returned to normal. Many
businesses in the region are generating little or no revenue
and are struggling to meet payroll, rent and vendor payment
obligations.
SBA loan approvals are moving at a snail's pace.
Unemployment claims, as of early October, were 16 times the
normal rate. This is a new point that the business community in
the last 2 days, when they heard I was testifying, asked that I
really stress to this committee, because this is clearly a
Federal issue. One additional illustrative example of how life
in the New Orleans region has not returned to normal concerns
the U.S. Postal Service. Most regional businesses, including
our law firm, banks, Tulane and others are missing over a month
of mail. We basically received no mail from the month of
September, and the Postal Service is telling us they are not
sure when they can get that to us.
Without receipt of payment checks, vouchers, bills and
other important and time sensitive business documents, commerce
within the region is significantly hampered. This backlog must
be eliminated, and it represents the one area where Federal
assistance can help the regional business community.
On behalf of the citizens of New Orleans and the regional
business community, I wish to highlight the regional economic
activity that must be restored in the wake of Katrina. No. 1,
and you have talked about it a lot this morning, restoration
and enhancement of the levee and barrier system. At the outset,
I can assure you that the No. 1 priority for the New Orleans
business community is to obtain the firm assurance of the
Federal Government and this Congress that adequate levee and
barrier protection will be provided for the New Orleans region.
We are extremely pleased with the assurances and actions to
date provided by the Corps of Engineers and the Federal
Government that the levee system will be rebuilt no later than
June 2006 to withstand Category 3 storms. However, the business
community also needs assurance that the Federal Government will
work as quickly as possible with near-term time limits to
strengthen the critical levee and barrier system to withstand
Category 5 storms. That is a must. Many of our firm's largest
clients are public companies that are now in Houston that are
based in New Orleans, said they need Category 5 assurance, at
least to stay, a funding mechanism and a time line.
With this assurance, businesses both large and small will
be provided with the comfort they need to invest and otherwise
engage in the business restoration efforts. Mr. Chairman, I
respectfully request that your committee and this Congress
immediately provide the required statutory authorization and
Federal funding for Category 5 levee protection. The Greater
New Orleans business community looks forward to working closely
with you in that vitally important effort.
As to the port and maritime industries, the very founding
of the city of New Orleans was based upon the distinct and
inherent advantages it provided and continues to provide as a
port city for the Nation's maritime and trade industries.
Because of vessel, barge, highway and unsurpassed rail access,
the Port of New Orleans serves as one of the Nation's key
intermodal gateways for domestic and international trade.
Hurricane Katrina completely shut down the Port of New
Orleans, affecting more than 380,000 jobs nationwide that are
dependent on the cargo activity of the port. The port is
continuing to restore terminal and other services and is now
operating at approximately 40 percent of its pre-Katrina
capacity. Full restoration of port services must be a given.
With Federal funding and other assistance, especially from the
Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of
Transportation quickly restoring the port and other vital areas
and vital ports in southeast Louisiana to full operation will
help return economic vibrancy to the area.
Other important business sectors for economic development,
tourism, you know Mardi Gras, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Sugar
Bowl, annual Business Trade Association and other conventions.
These internationally renowned events and activities and the
culinary, artistic, musical and many, many other attributes of
New Orleans created a tourism industry within the region that
supported more than 2,500 companies with direct employment of
approximately 81,000 people. Restoration of that industry is
vitally important, not only to the New Orleans region but also
to the fabric of our Nation as a whole.
But the next three industries I will briefly highlight,
then I will close, are industries that I think most of America
is not aware of that are core to New Orleans's business beyond
tourism and the port: biomedical and medical research and other
related activities. In New Orleans, prior to Katrina, 22
biotechnology firms had established businesses within the
region and more than 24,000 employees worked in the high-paying
jobs within the New Orleans medical sector.
Through Louisiana State investments in cancer research and
gene therapy consortiums among Tulane University, Louisiana
State University and Xavier University, and the state-of-the-
art BioInnovation Center Wet Lab Incubator and other biomedical
facilities, the New Orleans region was rapidly becoming a true
biomedical research center on the Gulf Coast.
Oil and gas, chemical manufacturing and other related
industries. A third of the country's daily domestic oil and gas
and the natural gas supply originates in the south Louisiana
region. New Orleans is fortunate to have major defense
contractor manufacturing facilities within the region,
including Northrup Grumman Ship Systems, Lockheed Martin,
Textron and Bollinger Shipyards, which employ collectively over
13,000 workers.
Last, information technology. Because of a number of
Federal programs in the greater New Orleans region which employ
several thousand people, the region has become a center of
excellence for back-office technologies, as evidenced by the
information technology work at the National Finance Center, the
largest payroll center in the Nation, and the SPAWAR Systems
Center, home to the Defense Integrated Military Human Resource
System.
As my written statement further highlights, the region has
made great strides in business and manufacturing
diversification, and government and business leaders alike want
to continue the pre-Katrina efforts to preserve and enhance
these and other business and manufacturing sectors. Bold
recovery and other incentives are required to preserve business
and economic opportunity in New Orleans and other affected Gulf
Coast areas. Simply put, businesses will not return to the
region unless the Administration and the Congress initiate
strong, clear, definitive actions for regional recovery. It is
clear that no recovery will happen without the support of
Congress to No. 1, repair and enhance the New Orleans levee and
barrier system and other public facilities and structures; No.
2, provide appropriate Federal funding assistance for relief
and recovery efforts; and No. 3, enact significant and
effective business tax relief incentives to restore New Orleans
to its place as one of the primary business, cultural and
historical centers of our Nation.
Mr. Chairman, I thank you for the opportunity to address
the committee today. I look forward to working with you and
your fellow committee members on the economic and business
recovery of our New Orleans region. Thank you.
Senator Vitter. Thank you very much, Mr. Hines.
Now we will get into questions. Mrs. Chapital, you have
been critical of the effort to get proper and adequate
environmental information to citizens. I am sure you are
familiar with the Mayor's Web site and other Web sites which
have some guidelines and have information. Also the early days
of the repopulation effort where that was handed out, I
believe, in a flyer, as people entered the city.
Is the main problem with those types of efforts, in your
opinion, that the information is inadequate or that the means
of getting it out there is inadequate?
Mrs. Chapital. It is a little bit of both. In some
instances, we will see cases, for example, Red Cross will have
masks, but they are not the appropriate, there is like an N95
respirator, to just give you a specific example, is what is
needed specifically. So many of these people will have this
false sense of, well, this actually winds up being a false
sense, they think they will have what they need when in many
instances they don't.
Senator Vitter. Just to take that example, is that specific
respirator identified in the Mayor's information and other
information?
Mrs. Chapital. I haven't seen the Mayor's information. I
myself have not had the internet access, and many people don't
have that access to be able to retrieve that information. There
are community groups and individuals that are going out and
trying to provide information to people. But it has been quite
difficult for us to get information.
Senator Vitter. Mr. Hines, following up on the No. 1
priority you identified, which is also the No. 1 priority I
would identify, the levee system protection, I guess the trick
is, as I was saying to the Mayor, the trick is communicating a
clear commitment, but at the same time, we don't have a plan,
we don't have a design. So we don't have that in front of us,
we are not going to authorize or appropriate money for it right
now, between now and the end of the year.
So given that, given it is going to take some amount of
time to get that, what can we as a Congress say right now that
will largely fulfill the needs?
Mr. Hines. It is two-fold. One is I know you can't control
the President, but they would like to hear the President and
the Congress state, and I think it has been stated pretty
clearly, that the Category 3 levee system will be built back to
the 17-foot level, which is a new level, by June. We are
hearing that and reading that in the paper, but have that
stated clearly.
No. 2, just a commitment, and frankly this is probably more
from the President than from the Congress, but both, that we
will build a Category 5, and we say levee and barrier system,
because I know if Senator Inhofe was still here, as I said, the
Mayor and I are the same age, I am very familiar with that
barrier plan from the late 1970's and early 1980's, and met
with the Corps of Engineers for the last several years as we
chaired our economic development group. They said to us in
private for 3 years that if that barrier system had been built
in the early 1980's, we would have none of the flooding I had
in my home or her home or anywhere from Slidell to New Orleans.
The cost back then was $1.5 billion to $2 billion. I hear now
it is $3 billion to $5 billion.
So the answer is, I think the business community wants to
be rational, and they understand you can't promise them
something with technology that has not been developed or
something. But they want to hear a firm commitment and a time
line, and they don't want to hear 8 to 15 years, either. To be
honest with you, if your home has been flooded or your business
has been flooded, you have a fiduciary duty to your
shareholders as CEO of a public company that is going to move
back, you have to know that in sort of a 5-year plan, 5 to 8
years, that this can incrementally be accomplished.
I will also add, the Dutch, we have mentioned the Germans
and the English, the Dutch have been to New Orleans several
times and have offered this technology that they have had for
years. There has not been a significant interest, really,
primarily at the Federal level, in looking at it.
Senator Vitter. I know you heard some of the other
Senators' comments, particularly Senator Isakson, about folks
up here wanting to hear from Louisiana an openness to doing
things differently, and to rebuilding differently, particularly
in highly vulnerable areas. Do you think there is that openness
on the ground in the greater New Orleans area, which I think
quite frankly is important to communicate to up here to get the
help we need?
Mr. Hines. I think it is a quick three-part answer. I think
in the business community they clearly is that openness. In
fact, frankly, they say if it is business as usual they are not
coming back. So there is a clear commitment.
Second, to sympathize with those that are homeowners or
property owners in those low-lying areas, it is easy for me to
say there has to be that change. But I think that the Mayor's
commission or other groups, maybe the Federal Government can
assist, needs to provide them with a vision of, well, if we're
going to tell you we are not going to rebuild your home here,
but then where are you going to go? You have to show them a
vision.
As you know, there are parts of older New Orleans and some
urban environment, I compare it to a Chicago, you could move
people in, if they wanted to, from the Ninth Ward of New
Orleans East to Central City and other areas that have been a
part of urban blight for the last 20 or 30 years, we could redo
that. But you need community input to do that. Then last, as I
said, I think this is one, I am just going to have to say it,
but it is not our Federal officials, I am worried that our
local elected officials need to embrace this change.
You are elected officials, I think that when you look at
not rebuilding some of these areas, it is going to change
districts at council levels and State legislative levels and
all that. That concerns me, the business community, that that
cannot be a factor in making good public policy.
Senator Vitter. Thank you. Ranking Member Jeffords.
Senator Jeffords. Mrs. Chapital, one of the issues that has
come up as we look at the redevelopment of the Gulf Coast is
the degree to which displaced citizens are afforded an
opportunity to participate in the decisionmaking process. What
is your perspective on how important that is, and the problems,
and what is the best way to make it happen?
Mrs. Chapital. Repeat the question.
Senator Jeffords. What is your perspective of how important
it is for the displaced citizens to be afforded an opportunity
to participate in the decisionmaking process, and what is the
best way to make it happen?
Mrs. Chapital. If we expect individuals to return, they do
need to be a part of that redevelopment process. I wish I could
better--I am not quite sure how that would take place, though.
I am really not.
Senator Jeffords. You just believe it is essential that it
does take place?
Mrs. Chapital. It is essential that it does take place.
Senator Jeffords. Mr.Hines, from your perspective, has an
inclusive, comprehensive process been set up at the local or
State level that would create a redevelopment plan that would
drive Federal investment decisions and clean up flood control
in other areas?
Mr. Hines. Two words. Inclusive, I think this get back to
the question you asked my copanelist. I think there are some
community organizations that do have networks that can
facilitate communication. Because I agree, unless you are a
professional with access to the internet, my children are much
more on the internet giving me real-time information than even
I have. But to the larger New Orleans population, frankly,
primarily the poor, they don't have access to the internet. I
think there needs to be outreach from these community groups.
The community groups are returning to New Orleans, and they
have their networks where they can get input.
As to a comprehensive plan, I would like to say there is a
comprehensive plan, but no, I don't believe there is one yet.
We have talked about the levee barrier system, which is one
type of plan. On economic redevelopment, I think there are
plans that New Orleans, with citizen input, the New Orleans
region adopted, as long as 5 years ago, frankly, when we were
soliciting an NBA team, there was a vision and wish list for 5
and 10 years out. I think we need to revisit that. I think that
would be the basis for economic redevelopment.
Then on social services, I think the United Way is working
with U.N. groups now and the Red Cross and others on really
taking a new look at how you deliver social services in this
kind of an environment.
Senator Jeffords. Thank you. What steps should the Federal
Government take to make sure that happens, what you want to
see?
Mr. Hines. Well, I will express a personal opinion here, I
think most businesses I talked to agree with this, and some
others didn't, which is this appointment the President made
yesterday, not who it was, but should we have that position.
The term czar had been used for a while. I know we don't have a
czar. But I think having a Federal coordinator, and I know that
was the word that was used for this, I think will be critical.
First, I understand you need assurances that the money is being
wisely spent. But I think having somebody, and it appears from
his background he has primarily a financial background, I think
the other thing we will need is maybe some engineering
background and that sort of thing.
But to oversee how this coordinates with Mississippi and
Alabama, and particularly with Mississippi as to this levee
system and economic development, if you look at NASA alone, you
have Stennis, you have Micheau, there are a lot of similarities
between those two States. I think if those two States could
cooperate, the poverty issues are the same, the racial
demographics are the same. I think there is an opportunity to
do a sort of Gulf Coast recovery plan that could be very
visionary if we just bring the best minds to it.
Senator Jeffords. Thank you.
Senator Vitter. Thank you, very much, to both of you for
participating. We appreciate it.
With that, the meeting is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 11:54 a.m., the committee was adjourned.
[Additional statements submitted for the record follow:]
Statement of Hon. Nils J. Diaz, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, it is a privilege to
appear before you today to discuss the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission's preparations and response to Hurricane Katrina. To
summarize NRC's actions, I have attached a factual NRC timeline for the
Hurricane Katrina activities.
OVERVIEW OF NUCLEAR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
The NRC's mission is to ensure adequate protection of public health
and safety, promote the common defense and security, and protect the
environment at nuclear powerplants and materials facilities during
routine operations and during abnormal or emergency conditions,
including natural emergencies, such as Hurricane Katrina. The NRC takes
an integrated approach to safety, security, and emergency preparedness
in carrying out this mission. This approach, combined with the defense-
in-depth strategy we use for licensing the design, construction, and
operation of nuclear powerplants, provides substantial protection
against severe natural phenomena, such as hurricanes and tornados.
The well-established capabilities and procedures of the NRC, our
Federal and Agreement States partners, and our licensees proved to be
effective during Hurricane Katrina for NRC areas of responsibility. The
nuclear powerplants affected by this hurricane were essentially
undamaged. Concurrently with the disciplined approach to preparation by
our nuclear reactor licensees, the NRC initiated pertinent command and
control of emergency response activities early and activated the NRC
Region IV Operations Center in Arlington, Texas, and the NRC
Headquarters Operations Center in Rockville, Maryland, as the hurricane
approached the Gulf Coast, with substantial participation from all
regions and senior management, including the Chairman. My fellow
commissioners were kept fully and currently informed. In addition, the
NRC and State regulatory agencies initiated and implemented emergency
preparedness and response activities to account for, and ensure the
safety and security of radioactive materials located in the States of
Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. These States are Agreement States,
through formal agreements with the NRC, have regulatory authority over
certain sources of radioactive materials within their States. This
authority does not include reactors, large quantities of special
nuclear material, or materials licensed to Federal government agencies.
The NRC coordinated extensively with the Agreement States and our
Federal licensees to ensure that the safety and security of radioactive
sources were maintained.
For nuclear powerplants, emergency planning begins with robust
facility designs. NRC regulations require each nuclear powerplant to be
designed and constructed to withstand the effects of severe natural
phenomena pertinent to the surrounding area, along with added margins
of safety for even more extreme postulated events. The design of these
facilities considers the combination of the effects of natural
phenomena with the effects of normal and accident conditions at the
plant. For example, nuclear powerplants in Florida and along the Gulf
Coast are designed with capabilities to mitigate plant accidents even
with the effects of hurricanes, flooding, and loss of offsite power
from the electrical grid, while nuclear powerplants in California
include capabilities to mitigate plant accidents even with the effects
of a severe earthquake and loss of off-site power from the electrical
grid. Waterford 3, the nuclear powerplant closest to New Orleans, is
equipped with protective features against flooding, including a 30-foot
levee and water-tight compartment doors for safety-related equipment.
Over the years, U.S. nuclear powerplants have experienced direct
impacts of severe natural phenomena, and their robust design and
construction have enabled them to successfully withstand such events.
Some of the events experienced within the past 15 years include:
Hurricane Andrew, a Category 4 hurricane, which passed directly over
the Turkey Point nuclear powerplant with sustained wind speeds of 145
miles per hour and gusts up to 175 miles per hour (August 1992); the
Cooper Nuclear Station, which experienced flooding onsite from the
Missouri River (July 1993); a Fujita Tornado Damage Scale F2 tornado,
which directly hit the Davis Besse Nuclear Power Station, with winds of
113 to 157 miles per hour (June 1998); and, the Diablo Canyon Power
Plant, which felt the shock from a Magnitude 6.5 San Simeon earthquake
in Paso Robles, California (December 2003). In all these cases, the
nuclear powerplant functioned as they were designed, and adequate
protection was maintained during and after the event.
NRC regulations also require all nuclear powerplant licensees to
have in place comprehensive emergency preparedness programs (e.g.,
dedicated emergency response facilities, systems, equipment, and
staffing). Detailed site-specific emergency plans and implementing
procedures provide instructions and guidelines for dealing with or
responding to a variety of emergency situations, including natural
phenomena such as hurricanes. These integrated emergency plans are
developed in a coordinated manner between the facility licensee and
State and local authorities, with oversight of the NRC and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA). Emergency response for the sites is periodically
evaluated by the NRC, and additional training and drills are conducted
between these evaluated exercises to help further prepare for a wide
spectrum of emergencies, including hurricanes. During these exercises,
the NRC works closely with DHS/FEMA in evaluating the acceptability of
the emergency plans. The NRC evaluates onsite response capabilities and
integration of onsite and offsite preparedness, and then reviews the
findings that DHS/FEMA makes regarding offsite emergency planning.
The NRC has exercised its key responsibilities in coordination with
DHS and other Federal agencies under the National Response Plan (NRP).
In accordance with the NRP, the NRC is the coordinating agency for
incidents involving facilities and/or materials licensed by the NRC or
an Agreement State. Accordingly, the NRC leads the Federal-level
response functions identified in the Nuclear/Radiological Incident
Annex with support provided by the cooperating agencies, such as the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). In cooperation with its Federal partners, the NRC
implemented the NRP for Hurricane Katrina.
NRC INCIDENT RESPONSE PROGRAM
The NRC Operations Center, located at its Headquarters Office in
Rockville, Maryland, is continually staffed with qualified personnel,
who have the expertise and ability to evaluate events and alert NRC
management, other Federal partners, and licensees, as necessary, to
properly respond to unfolding events. Over the years, the NRC has taken
several steps to enhance its emergency preparedness and response
capabilities. These include increased staffing and modernization of
facilities and equipment, more frequent exercises with other Federal
agencies, and increased interaction with our international partners to
gain knowledge of incident response activities in other countries. The
NRC is also playing an active role in enhancing incident response
capabilities for radiological emergencies and incidents by conducting
tabletop exercises with Federal and State emergency response
organizations and outreach activities with local stakeholders. During
preparation and response to emergencies, the Agency also discharges its
responsibility to communicate developments to Congressional delegations
and State executives, as appropriate.
The NRC is capable of responding to multiple events, affecting
multiple plants at the same time. This was demonstrated when the NRC
was responding effectively to Hurricane Katrina while simultaneously
participating in a biennial emergency exercise at the Monticello
Nuclear Plant in Minnesota on August 30, 2005. The NRC also responded
successfully to multiple events during the August 2003 electrical grid
collapse in the northeast and Midwest, which resulted in automatic
reactor shutdowns at nine U.S. nuclear powerplants and the loss of
offsite power at eight plants.
PREPAREDNESS FOR HURRICANE SEASON
The NRC and its licensees routinely monitor, prepare for, and
respond to hurricanes using well-established procedures. The NRC
requires that each nuclear powerplant shut down under weather
conditions specific to each site. For example, the Waterford 3 plant
began to shut down the day before Hurricane Katrina made landfall in
Louisiana, based on projected sustained wind speeds exceeding 74 miles
per hour.
The NRC has an established hurricane response program that is
implemented each year during hurricane season, from June 1 through
November 30. The NRC has responded to hurricanes with nuclear
powerplants in their direct paths. Throughout the hurricane season, the
NRC monitors potentially hazardous weather conditions in the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. For the
Atlantic basin, the NRC monitors tropical storm formations developing
as far away as the African coast. The NRC relies on hurricane tracking
computer programs and data provided by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration that provides current and projected
information about developing storms and their proximity to the U.S.
coastline.
At the beginning of each hurricane season, nuclear powerplant
licensees prepare well in advance by updating procedures and assessing
their sites for readiness. For an approaching hurricane, a licensee's
response would typically include identification of emergency staffing,
plans for activation of emergency support facilities, testing of
routine and emergency communications, equipment readiness checks, and
updating of contact information with Federal, State, and local
agencies.
RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA
For Hurricane Katrina, the NRC and its licensees took aggressive
and prudent steps to prepare for its impact. The NRC and nuclear
powerplant licensees began preparations before Katrina first made
landfall in Florida on August 25, 2005. The NRC tracked the hurricane's
status carefully from its inception as Tropical Depression 12 on August
24, 2005, when it was located well off the coast of Florida. The NRC's
Region II office in Atlanta, Georgia, initially tracked the storm and
issued daily weather updates to alert the Commission, NRC Headquarters,
and regional personnel of this storm. The NRC Region II office
coordinated with DHS/FEMA's Atlanta regional office, the State of
Florida, and NRC licensees prior to the storm becoming a hurricane, and
maintained communications throughout the passage of the hurricane over
Florida.
Two nuclear powerplants in Florida had the potential to be affected
by the hurricane, but were never in its direct path. The Turkey Point
plant in Florida City and the Saint Lucie plant on Hutchinson Island
implemented emergency preparations to ensure the facilities were fully
prepared. The NRC issued status reports for these plants to keep
stakeholders informed and NRC's site resident inspectors monitored site
conditions and implementation of the licensee's established procedures
for hurricane preparations.
When the storm passed west of longitude W87 on August 27, 2005,
NRC's Region IV office in Arlington, Texas, monitored Hurricane Katrina
as it moved into the Gulf of Mexico. The NRC Region IV Operations
Center coordinated with Louisiana and Mississippi State officials and,
on August 28, 2005, an NRC State/Federal Liaison Officer was dispatched
to FEMA's regional office in Denton, Texas. In accordance with the
NRC's incident response program, the Chairman of the NRC and NRC senior
staff led the agency's response to Hurricane Katrina in both
Headquarters and Region IV. Before Hurricane Katrina's arrival along
the Gulf Coast States, the NRC staffed its Headquarters and Region IV
Operations Centers with experts to prepare for any unforeseen
circumstances, and NRC Region IV dispatched additional inspection staff
to augment the permanently assigned resident inspectors at nuclear
powerplants in Louisiana and Mississippi.
The Grand Gulf plant in Port Gibson, Mississippi, the River Bend
plant in Saint Francisville, Louisiana, and the Waterford 3 plant were
more impacted by Hurricane Katrina than the plants located in Florida.
Before, during, and after the storm's passage, the NRC closely
monitored onsite and offsite activities at each of these sites by
maintaining staff in NRC's Headquarters and Region IV Operations
Centers and at the sites. The NRC held routine conference calls with
the State of Louisiana and the parishes surrounding the Waterford 3
site and supported the State of Louisiana's Emergency Operations Center
in Baton Rouge. The NRC provided status information on the conditions
and the operational status of nuclear powerplants and materials
facilities in the States of Louisiana and Mississippi for the Federal
Joint Field Office, which was established following DHS' declaration of
an incident of national significance for Hurricane Katrina on August
30, 2005.
All three nuclear powerplants were essentially undamaged by the
hurricane. However, land-line communications with the Waterford 3 site
were lost because of flooding in the New Orleans area. In addition,
offsite power was lost because of instability in the regional
electrical grid. Following the loss of offsite power, electrical power
for key safety systems for the Waterford 3 plant was supplied
automatically by the plant's standby diesel generators. To address the
loss of land-line communication, extra land lines were installed and
satellite communications equipment was employed for communication
following the hurricane's passage at this site. Backup satellite
communications equipment was employed by NRC staff at the site, NRC
Region IV, and NRC Headquarters to ensure continuous communications
with the Waterford 3 site.
Prior to restart of the Waterford 3 plant, the NRC staff
independently verified that key plant systems and structures were able
to support safe operations at the plant, and in cooperation with DHS/
FEMA, the NRC confirmed that the offsite infrastructure was adequate to
support plant operations. An NRC regional team evaluated onsite
emergency preparedness and the readiness of the plant for restart.
Also, the NRC participated in the DHS/FEMA Disaster Initiated Review
Team for the offsite assessment of the Waterford 3 site by reviewing
and evaluating offsite emergency preparedness and response
capabilities. After successful completion of these evaluations, the
Waterford 3 powerplant resumed operation, supplying electricity to
support recovery of the regional infrastructure.
NRC RESPONSE FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL CONTROL
NRC and the Agreement States of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi
share the regulatory oversight responsibilities for ensuring the safety
and security of radioactive materials in the region affected by
Katrina. These Agreement States have regulatory authority over
approximately 98 percent of the total number of radioactive materials
licensees located within their borders. The NRC has jurisdiction for
the remainder, which includes Federal facilities such as Veterans
Hospitals and the U.S. military.
The majority of the NRC and Agreement State licensed material is in
the form of sealed sources. Devices containing sources of the greatest
concern from a radiological standpoint are designated as Category 1 or
2 in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Code of Conduct on
the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and are designed and
manufactured in accordance with strict NRC regulatory requirements. To
ensure that the source is designed to meet or exceed standards as
specified in the regulatory requirements, the NRC or its equivalent
Agreement States must review the manufacturers' application to produce
a sealed source. Typically, these sources are doubly encapsulated in
stainless steel and are manufactured to withstand accidental conditions
such as immersion, fire, and drop/crushing. When not in use, the
sources are stored in a shielded configuration to ensure the safety of
the general public, as well as workers.
The NRC worked closely with its Agreement State partners and its
own materials licensees (Federal facilities) in those States to monitor
the safety and security of radioactive sources of concern during the
recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The NRC contacted its IAEA Category 1
and Category 2 licensees (Federal facilities) in the affected States to
obtain additional information on the status and security of facilities
and materials listed in an existing database. This database list
included information on facilities regulated by the NRC, Louisiana,
Alabama, and Mississippi, which was updated daily. Coordination with
the Agreement States proved successful in obtaining current information
regarding the control and status of radioactive materials. The NRC,
through its Agreement State liaisons, was able to verify the control
and status of all IAEA Category 1 and Category 2 sources located in
Alabama and Mississippi within days of Katrina's landfall. The NRC
continues to coordinate with Louisiana to confirm the continued control
of radioactive sources and licensed facilities in locations with
limited access.
The NRC also discussed the availability of resources for assisting
in recovery efforts with its Federal partners, including the Center for
Disease Control, DOE, EPA, FEMA, and the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers.
The NRC also assisted Louisiana with its request for use of the DOE's
Aerial Monitoring System to detect any misplaced or missing radiation
sources. On September 13, 2005, the NRC sent staff to the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) for an extended period to
enhance communications and provide assistance at facilities that
contained IAEA Category 1 and 2 sources in Louisiana. On September 26,
2005, the NRC sent additional staff to Baton Rouge and Lafayette,
Louisiana, to provide support that includes participation in LDEQ field
teams.
In addition, the NRC provided current information regarding the
status of radioactive sources for situation reports (SITREPs) required
by DHS, and developed the DHS/NRC Joint Bulletin, ``Assessment of
Security of Radioactive Sources in the Hurricane Affected Area.'' The
NRC remains ready to provide staff with technical expertise concerning
radioactive materials safety and control to DOE, EPA, FEMA, and State
radiological emergency response teams.
CONCLUSION
For more than 25 years, the NRC has implemented improvements in its
emergency preparedness and incident response programs, and continues
today to be vigilant in ensuring the adequate protection of public
health and safety, common defense and security, and the environment
before, during, and after natural or man-made emergencies. During this
time, the combination of robust nuclear powerplant design and
construction, comprehensive emergency preparedness programs and
implementing procedures which improved significantly after September
11, 2001, and well-trained staff has proven effective against severe
natural phenomena. As the response to Hurricane Katrina demonstrates,
NRC and its licensees' emergency preparedness capabilities and
established procedures have proven to be effective in responding to
events at licensee facilities, including natural phenomena. We are
committed to continuous assessment and enhancement of these
capabilities. As it has done routinely following previous hurricanes,
the NRC is conducting a lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina. The NRC
has already applied insights from the experience with Hurricane Katrina
in preparing for and responding to Hurricanes Rita and Wilma and will
further enhance coordination with DHS/FEMA to ensure effective
emergency preparedness and timely return to service of nuclear
powerplants. The NRC will continue to exercise strong oversight of each
facility it licenses and work closely with Federal, State, and local
agencies to protect the public.
I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today, and I
welcome your comments and questions.
______
NRC Preparations and Response to Hurricane Katrina
AUGUST 24, 2005.--(FIVE DAYS BEFORE LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> NRC's Headquarters Operation Center (HOC) in Rockville,
Maryland and Region II office in Atlanta, Georgia, begin to track
Tropical Depression 12 as it formed 270 miles ESE of the SE coast of
Florida.
<bullet> NRC Region II began implementation of NRC Procedure #2651
for Hurricane Response.
<bullet> NRC Region II issued a Tropical Weather Update to NRC
Headquarters and NRC Regions.
<bullet> NRC Region II coordinated with the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Region IV
office in Atlanta, Georgia, the State of Florida, and applicable NRC
licensees.
<bullet> NRC issued status reports for the two powerplants in
Florida, the Turkey Point plant in Florida City and the Saint Lucie
plant on Hutchinson Island, that had the potential to be affected by
the hurricane. These status reports kept stakeholders informed about
the preparations that the powerplant licensees were taking in response
to the approaching storm.
<bullet> NRC's site resident inspectors at the Turkey Point and
Saint Lucie plants examined site conditions and monitored the
licensees' implementation of their established procedures for hurricane
preparations.
<bullet> NRC Headquarters received a ``Notification of an Unusual
Event'' declaration from the Turkey Point and Saint Lucie powerplant
licensees. This is the lowest level of emergency classification for
events at nuclear powerplants. The licensees made the declarations in
response to the issuance of the hurricane warning for Tropical
Depression 12. NRC notified other Federal agencies of the declaration,
consistent with established procedures.
AUGUST 25, 2005--(FOUR DAYS BEFORE LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> NRC Region II issued a Tropical Weather Update on Tropical
Storm Katrina.
<bullet> As it approached the east coast of Florida, the storm
strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane and, as predicted by the
hurricane tracking software utilized by the NRC, it passed between the
Turkey Point and Saint Lucie powerplants. There were no impacts to
either powerplant except heavy rain.
<bullet> NRC Region II was in communication with the Turkey Point
and Saint Lucie powerplants prior to the storm becoming a hurricane and
during the hurricane's passage.
AUGUST 26, 2005--(THREE DAYS BEFORE LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> NRC Region II issued a Tropical Weather Update on
Hurricane Katrina.
<bullet> NRC resident inspectors at the Grand Gulf powerplant in
Port Gibson, Mississippi, the River Bend powerplant in Saint
Francisville, Louisiana, and the Waterford 3 powerplant in Killona,
Louisiana, began to closely monitor licensee preparations for the
approaching hurricane.
<bullet> NRC Region IV in Arlington, Texas, prepared staffing plans
for onsite resident inspector coverage at the Grand Gulf, River Bend,
and Waterford 3 powerplants during the weekend.
AUGUST 27, 2005--(TWO DAYS BEFORE LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> As Hurricane Katrina passed west of longitude W87, NRC
Region II transferred the tracking of the hurricane to NRC Region IV,
in accordance with established hurricane tracking procedures. NRC
Region IV implemented NRC Procedure #2651 for Hurricane Tracking.
<bullet> NRC Region IV dispatched a region-based inspector to
augment the resident inspector staff at the Waterford 3 powerplant.
Resident inspectors at the Grand Gulf, River Bend, and Waterford 3
powerplants were prepared to provide 24-hour coverage beginning August
28, 2005, in accordance with NRC procedures.
<bullet> NRC Headquarters received a ``Notification Of an Unusual
Event'' declaration from the Waterford 3 powerplant due to the issuance
of a hurricane warning. NRC then notified the Department of
Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human
Services, DHS/FEMA, and the Environmental Protection Agency, consistent
with established procedures.
AUGUST 28, 2005--(DAY BEFORE LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> NRC Headquarters made numerous phone calls in the morning
to update NRC Regions on the hurricane preparations being performed at
the Grand Gulf, River Bend, and Waterford 3 powerplants.
<bullet> The NRC Chairman participated in multiple Executive Team
briefings with senior Headquarters and NRC Region IV management on
Hurricane Katrina preparations.
<bullet> In accordance with plant procedures, the Waterford 3
powerplant shut down as a precautionary measure, based on projected
wind speeds exceeding 74 miles per hour.
<bullet> At 1600 EST, the NRC entered Monitoring Mode. NRC RIV
activated and fully staffed its Incident Response Center. The NRC HOC
and NRC Region IV continued to closely monitor the onsite and offsite
activities at powerplants located along the Gulf Coast.
<bullet> NRC Region IV dispatched a NRC State/Federal Liaison
Officer to FEMA's Region VI Office in Denton, Texas.
<bullet> NRC initiated routine conference calls with the State of
Louisiana and the parishes surrounding the Waterford 3 site, and
offered support to the State of Louisiana's Emergency Operations center
in Baton Rouge.
<bullet> NRC Region IV contacted and offered assistance to the
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and made
arrangements for further contacts with them after the hurricane passed.
NRC management was briefed on NRC and Agreement State materials
licenses in Louisiana.
<bullet> NRC issued a press release on Hurricane Katrina
preparations.
AUGUST 29, 2005--(LANDFALL OF HURRICANE KATRINA)
<bullet> Before Hurricane Katrina made landfall, NRC staffed the
Homeland Security Operations Center (HSOC), and NRC HOC and NRC RIV
began receiving information from the Grand Gulf, River Bend, and
Waterford 3 powerplants' Emergency Response Data System, which provides
plant status and weather information directly to NRC.
<bullet> The NRC Chairman participated in multiple Executive Team
briefings on the status of Hurricane Katrina and NRC licensee
activities.
<bullet> NRC HOC and NRC Region IV continued routine communications
with the Waterford 3, River Bend, and Grand Gulf powerplants throughout
the hurricane's passage. NRC HOC was fully staffed with four teams of
specialists. Members became familiar with the Waterford 3 plant's
flooding and wind design bases.
<bullet> NRC Region IV began daily contacts with the States of
Mississippi and Louisiana to receive status reports and to offer
assistance with regard to materials licensees.
AUGUST 30, 2005--(DAY AFTER LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> NRC HOC staff exercised responding to multiple events. NRC
HQ management held periodic briefings on the status of Hurricane
Katrina during the emergency preparedness exercise with the Monticello
Nuclear Station.
<bullet> NRC Headquarters and NRC Region IV worked closely with the
licensee that operates the Grand Gulf, River Bend, and Waterford 3
nuclear plants to identify potential supplemental communications
resources. Satellite communications were used to continue
communications with the Waterford 3 plant following loss of phone
capability due to local flooding.
<bullet> NRC issued a press release on Hurricane Katrina monitoring
activities.
AUGUST 31, 2005--(TWO DAYS AFTER LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> As part of NRC Headquarters and NRC Region IV coordination
efforts with Agreement States and the Federal Government on the
security and status of radioactive materials in the Gulf Coast area,
NRC Headquarters coordinated with DHS on a request by the LDEQ for
assistance in obtaining security guards for a radioactive source
manufacturing facility located near New Orleans.
<bullet> NRC used an existing database to develop a report
summarizing the status of Category 1 and Category 2 sources licensed by
NRC, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi and shared this information
with DHS through the HSOC. Routine updates of the report were
transmitted to HSOC from August 31, 2005, through September 20, 2005.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2005--(FOUR DAYS AFTER LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> NRC Headquarters and NRC Region IV assisted LDEQ with a
request to obtain surveys of New Orleans by using DOE's Aerial
Monitoring System to detect any misplaced or stolen radiation sources.
<bullet> NRC Headquarters and NRC Region IV coordinated with a DOE
liaison at HSOC to assist the Mississippi Department of Health in
evaluating the use of DOE's Aerial Monitoring System to detect
misplaced or stolen radiation sources in Mississippi.
SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2005--(WEEK AFTER LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> At the request of DHS/FEMA Region VI, NRC provided two
Regional State/Federal Liaison Officers to serve as members of the
Disaster Initiated Review Team for the offsite assessment of the
Waterford 3 site to confirm that the offsite infrastructure was
adequate to support plant operations.
<bullet> On September 6, 2005, NRC returned to Normal Mode and NRC
Region IV shut down its Incident Response Center.
<bullet> NRC participated in DHS/FEMA's assessment of offsite
emergency preparedness and response capabilities for the Waterford 3
plant. Prior to restart of the Waterford 3 plant, the NRC staff
independently verified that key plant systems and structures were able
to support safe operations at the plant.
<bullet> On September 8, 2005, NRC issued a press release on NRC's
oversight of the Waterford 3 restart activities.
SEPTEMBER 9-13, 2005--(SECOND WEEK AFTER LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> On September 9, 2005, NRC Headquarters notified the
licensee of the Waterford 3 powerplant (by phone and followed up by
letter) that the NRC concurred with the assessment that the emergency
preparedness infrastructure, both onsite and offsite, was adequate for
the restart of the plant.
<bullet> On September 9, 2005, NRC issued a press release on the
restart of Waterford 3.
<bullet> The NRC assisted Centers for Disease Control and
Environmental Protection Agency representatives on the status of
Category 1 and 2 sources licensed by Louisiana and Mississippi. Devices
containing sources designated as Category 1 or 2 in the International
Atomic Energy Agency Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of
Radioactive Sources are designed and manufactured in accordance with
strict regulatory requirements.
<bullet> NRC assisted the LDEQ with preparation of written
precautions and information for emergency workers entering the New
Orleans area.
<bullet> On September 13, 2005, NRC dispatched a materials
inspector to the LDEQ. The NRC inspector worked closely with the
Louisiana Radiation Control Program Director and served as the primary
communicator between LDEQ and the NRC Region IV.
SEPTEMBER 26-OCTOBER 5, 2005--(FOURTH AND FIFTH WEEKS AFTER
LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA)
<bullet> NRC sent additional staff to Baton Rouge and Lafayette,
Louisiana, to provide support that included participation in LDEQ field
teams. NRC assisted with inspections and communications through October
5, 2005.
______
Responses by Nils J. Diaz to Additional Questions from Senator Jeffords
Question 1. Mr. Chairman, as I understand it, the NRC had very good
information from and communication with powerplant licensees during
Hurricane Katrina. I know accounting for and securing the more diffuse
licensees, such as universities, medical facilities, and industrial
sources is a significant challenge. How long did it take NRC to be able
to determine that nuclear materials held by non-powerplant licensees
were secure? What lessons have you learned from that experience?
Response. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the
Agreement States of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi share the
regulatory oversight responsibilities for ensuring the safety and
security of radioactive materials in the region affected by Katrina.
These Agreement States have regulatory authority over approximately 98
percent of the total number of radioactive material licensees located
within their borders. The NRC has jurisdiction over the remainder,
which includes Federal facilities such as U.S. military installations
and medical facilities operated by the Veterans Administration.
Before Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana, NRC
coordinated with Louisiana on the State's preparations for the
hurricane, including activities involving Louisiana licensees. NRC
Region IV contacted and offered assistance to the Louisiana Department
of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and made arrangements for further
contacts with LDEQ after the hurricane passed. NRC management was
briefed on NRC and Agreement State material licensees in Louisiana and
NRC provided staff to the Homeland Security Operations Center. NRC
Region IV also coordinated with FEMA Region VI and provided staff to
the Regional Response Coordination Center.
The NRC worked closely with its Agreement State partners and its
own material licensees (Federal facilities) in those States to monitor
the safety and security of radioactive sources of concern during the
recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The NRC contacted its licensees
(Federal facilities) possessing International Atomic Energy Agency
Category 1 and Category 2 sources located in the affected States to
obtain additional information on the status and security of facilities
and materials listed in an existing database.
NRC confirmed that sources of concern at Federal facilities were
secure by September 8, 2005. For sources regulated by the Agreement
States, on September 1, 2005, Alabama confirmed its Category 1 and 2
sources were secure and, on September 7, 2005, Mississippi confirmed
all Category 1 and 2 sources had been accounted for, except for one at
the Stennis Space Center; this source was confirmed as secure on
September 12, 2005. By October 4, 2005, the LDEQ had visited each
Category 1 and 2 facility in Louisiana that was affected by the
hurricane and had reasonable assurance that sources were secure because
the buildings were structurally sound and locked, and it appeared that
vandalism had not occurred. Local law enforcement and the National
Guard were used throughout the recovery period to provide security
across the New Orleans area. NRC is continuing to work closely with the
LDEQ to assess further the status of radioactive sources within its
regulatory purview.
The NRC discussed the availability of resources for assisting in
recovery efforts with its Federal partners, including the Centers for
Disease Control, DOE, EPA, FEMA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The NRC also assisted Louisiana with its request for use of the DOE's
Aerial Monitoring System to detect any misplaced or missing radiation
sources. On September 13, 2005, the NRC dispatched staff to the LDEQ
for an extended period to enhance communications and provide
assistance. On September 26, 2005, the NRC dispatched additional staff
to Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana, to provide support that
included participation in LDEQ field teams.
NRC applied insights from the experience with Hurricane Katrina in
preparing for and responding to Hurricanes Rita and Wilma. For example,
because the communication infrastructure was still challenged after
Hurricane Rita made landfall, response teams dispatched on September
26, 2005, to Louisiana were equipped with additional communications
equipment, including cell phones that can be used when public telephone
networks are not available or are overloaded. NRC also reached out to
Texas and Louisiana in advance of Hurricane Rita making landfall to
discuss actions proposed by the States to assure that their licensees
were taking action to secure large sources in advance of the storm
making landfall.
Currently, NRC is evaluating lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina
and has established an agency-wide task force that will review NRC,
State, and licensee preparations for and response to natural phenomena,
such as hurricanes, to identify and recommend areas for improvement.
The task force is expected to deliver a report with recommendations to
the NRC Executive Director for Operations in February 2006. Depending
on the conclusions of the task force and direction from the Commission,
regulatory changes or other actions could be proposed. The final report
will be made public.
Question 2. Mr. Chairman, communications are critical to NRC's
successful monitoring of powerplant licensees in the event of a
hurricane. Would you comment on NRC's use of various modes of
communications, such as standard phone lines, satellite or other
devices, Internet during Hurricane Katrina, have you assessed the
merits and limitations of each, and do you deploy all of them during a
hurricane event?
Response. NRC's experience in responding to Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita has confirmed the importance of deploying and using diverse
communication systems. Even without significant damage to the
telecommunication infrastructure, commercial systems may become
overwhelmed with the high volume of communication traffic in the wake
of an emergency. Our deployment of a variety of communication systems
contributed to our success in maintaining contact with our licensees
and response teams. NRC is currently evaluating communication
challenges as part of our ongoing lessons learned efforts and will
evaluate opportunities for additional enhancements to our response
program in the area of communications.
The NRC relies on several methods for communicating with powerplant
licensees and NRC's resident inspector staff. Licensees may communicate
with NRC through the use of commercial public telephone network
systems, the Federal Telecommunications System (FTS), or cellular
communications. In addition to the commercial telecommunication lines
maintained by licensees, the NRC provides a limited number of Emergency
Telecommunications System (ETS) lines using direct access lines to the
Federal Government's long distance network, or FTS provider, to nuclear
powerplants. NRC resident inspector offices are also connected to the
FTS network. These many systems for communication provide NRC the
capability of maintaining contact with the licensees in the event of a
hurricane.
At nuclear powerplants, these lines are routed to the plant control
room and the licensees' emergency operations facilities, where key
response personnel are located during an event. These dedicated lines
provide access to long distance networks independent of the local
telephone switch.\1\ In addition, if a problem occurs with the
dedicated direct access FTS lines, the NRC has provided for telephone
service priority with the government contractor to prioritize
restoration or repair of the lines. FTS communication lines located in
the control room that link the NRC and its licensees are tested daily.
Licensees can also communicate with NRC through the use of cellular
service, although this would typically be used as a backup if
commercial or FTS lines were not available. NRC resident offices are
also equipped with cell phones and satellite phones which are tested
regularly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Some licensees have elected to use preexisting licensee
communication networks to provide access to long distance networks
independent of the local telephone switch. This option was approved by
the Commission in 2000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NRC regional offices are equipped with diverse modes of
communication to support their response functions and teams, including
response teams dispatched in the field. Communication devices include a
mix of cell phones, secure cell phones, portable satellite phones, and
hand-held walkie-talkies for the NRC response teams. These
communication devices and systems are tested regularly. NRC regional
response teams also have access to the Government Emergency Telephone
System (GETS) which provides priority service to GETS card holders
during emergencies when commercial phone systems and the FTS system may
experience a high volume of communication traffic.
The NRC Region IV incident response center in Arlington, Texas,
which dispatched several staff members to Louisiana and Mississippi for
responses to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, supplemented its
communication devices in advance of the 2005 hurricane season to
provide additional diversity in the available means of communication.
All regional communication devices and services noted above, except for
walkie-talkies, were deployed with the NRC Region IV responders during
the response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In addition to the
communication devices deployed from Region IV, NRC deployed additional
satellite phones from other NRC regional offices to supplement
communication devices available to NRC staff and the licensees in
Louisiana following the passage of Hurricane Katrina.
As you are aware, there was significant damage to the communication
infrastructure in the New Orleans area as a result of Hurricane
Katrina. Surrounding areas in Louisiana and in Mississippi also
experienced some telecommunication disruption. The disruption of
telecommunication service affected both the River Bend and Waterford-3
powerplants in Louisiana. In addition, the Grand Gulf powerplant in
Mississippi also experienced some disruption of telecommunication
service following passage of the storm.
For the River Bend and Grand Gulf powerplants, the licensee and NRC
staff relied upon a combination of commercial land lines, FTS service,
cell, and satellite phones, and use of the GETS service for
communications. Commercial and FTS systems experienced frequent
temporary disruption because of the high volume of calls being placed
on these lines. The NRC ETS lines installed in the River Bend and Grand
Gulf control rooms experienced temporary disruptions due to problems
that the service provider experienced with equipment in the New Orleans
area. The infrastructure for these direct access lines was routed
through New Orleans. However, NRC and the licensees were able to
maintain contact through the plant control rooms and emergency
operations facilities via commercial lines. Satellite and cell phones
were used intermittently during periods when communication traffic
volume was high and calls could not be placed successfully via
commercial and FTS lines.
For the Waterford-3 plant, communication systems experienced more
substantial damage, and normal communication systems were unavailable
for a longer period of time. Prior to Hurricane Katrina making
landfall, the licensee had two satellite phones available for
communicating with the NRC, State, and local response organizations.
Immediately following passage of Hurricane Katrina, NRC relied upon use
of cell and satellite phones for communication with the plant and
resident inspector staff. In addition to these phones, the licensee had
an ``internal'' phone system available that connected the licensee's
corporate center in Jackson, Mississippi, with the River Bend, Grand
Gulf, and Waterford-3 plants. NRC was able to communicate with licensee
management through this commercial communication network throughout the
recovery period. Within days of the passage of Hurricane Katrina, the
licensee contracted with a commercial vendor to obtain a mobile
satellite phone unit which contained six satellite phone lines and
additional portable satellite phones for use in communicating with NRC,
State, and local response organizations. This improved communications
between NRC and the Waterford-3 site, but was only considered
supplemental since reception through the satellite service may be
disrupted during inclement weather. The licensee had additional land
communication lines installed within days that were routed outside the
New Orleans area, specifically through Little Rock, Arkansas, to
provide more stable communication systems. These land lines were used
for routine communications between NRC and staff at Waterford-3 until
the pre-Katrina land lines routed through New Orleans were restored
weeks later.
Even with the installation of the additional land lines, commercial
phone service was occasionally unavailable due to the high volume of
communication traffic over the public telephone network system. NRC
relied upon use of cell phones and the GETS service to communicate with
its response staff and resident inspectors as a supplemental backup
during these periods. Because the volume of communication traffic
remained high and the commercial telecommunication infrastructure
capacity was limited until land lines and switch networks could be
restored or circuits rerouted, the licensee deployed cell phones to
State and local response organizations and NRC Region IV. During
periods when other commercial systems were overwhelmed with call
traffic, these cell phones could be operated as a long-range, digital
walkie-talkie allowing users to communicate even when the network is
down. The NRC Region IV office had procured cell phones to supplement
its communications kits in advance of Hurricane Katrina, but these were
not received until just before Hurricane Rita developed. NRC Region IV
deployed cell phones with response teams that were sent to Louisiana
following Hurricane Rita, and these cell phones provided reliable
communications when other cell and satellite phones experienced
reception disruptions.
NRC did use the internet to communicate with its resident
inspectors and licensees during the response to Hurricane Katrina using
land lines. Internet and e-mail connections were reliable with the
licensee's corporate offices in Jackson, Mississippi, where
communication systems were not significantly disrupted. NRC resident
offices at the Grand Gulf, River Bend, and Waterford-3 plants were
unable to connect to the NRC Wide Area Network or the internet for some
period because they are serviced by communication lines that were
routed through New Orleans. The switch network for these land lines was
unavailable for a period of time until circuits could be rerouted.
Question 3. Do you find an Operations Center capability at
headquarters to be a critical component of the NRC's ability to track
and respond to hurricanes?
Response. Yes, the NRC Headquarters Operations Center is a critical
component of NRC's ability to track and respond to hurricanes. The NRC
maintains a designated incident response organization at its
Headquarters office in Rockville, Maryland as well as its four Regional
offices (Region I: King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Region II: Atlanta,
Georgia; Region III: Lisle, Illinois; Region IV: Arlington, Texas).
NRC routinely prepares for, monitors, and responds to every
hurricane using established response procedures. Pursuant to its
assigned role under the National Response Plan and a Memorandum of
Understanding between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and NRC, NRC routinely coordinates
with DHS/FEMA in advance of any hurricane making landfall and
potentially affecting NRC-licensed facilities, such as nuclear
powerplants or materials facilities.
The NRC Headquarters Operations Center is continually staffed (24
hours a day, 365 days a year) for receiving emergency and nonemergency
notifications from NRC licensees, government agencies, State Agencies,
and/or private entities. NRC Headquarters maintains the leadership in
integrating the agency's response to hurricanes through internal
notifications and notifications to other Federal departments/agencies
and, if appropriate, licensees, Members of Congress, and State
agencies. The Chairman has ultimate authority for all NRC functions
pertaining to an emergency involving an NRC licensee. The Chairman may
delegate, in whole or in part, his authority to another Commissioner or
other NRC official. NRC Regions I, II, III, and IV maintain an incident
response program under the leadership of the respective Regional
Administrator with oversight by the NRC Headquarter's Executive Team.
__________
Statement of Sandy K. Baruah, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce
for Economic Development
Chairman Inhofe, Ranking Member Jeffords, members of the committee,
thank you for the opportunity to testify on the Economic Development
Administration's (EDA) response to Hurricane Katrina and the Agency's
current actions in helping the Gulf Coast rebuild.
This is a timely matter for me to comment on as I have just
returned from the affected region. Yesterday, I saw firsthand the
devastation wrought on the great City of New Orleans, and met with
Mayor Kip Holden of Baton Rouge. I can tell you that as crushing as was
the blow that Katrina dealt to that region, the people of Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama are more determined to recover and rebuild
their lives, their homes and their businesses. Our Nation faces an
unprecedented challenge--and an opportunity--to recover from this
tragedy.
As a first priority, I am thankful to be able to report that no EDA
personnel or their families suffered fatality or injury as result of
Hurricanes Katrina, Rita or Wilma. Our Economic Development
Representative in Louisiana safely evacuated with her family prior to
Katrina, however, her family home in New Orleans was irreparably
damaged.
Moving forward, the Administration, the Department of Commerce, and
EDA are committed to the economic revitalization of the Gulf Coast. As
you are aware, the President has called for considerable funding for
efforts that are already underway to promote the region's recovery and
economic revitalization. The focus of these efforts is to implement a
regional, collaborative, multi-pronged approach aimed at providing
appropriate incentives and targeted federal assistance to create the
conditions in which the private sector will be willing to invest in the
region's economic recovery. Additional funding is not being sought for
EDA; rather, the agency will be participating in recovery efforts using
existing resources. EDA views this at the most efficient and effective
way to get people back to work and businesses, both large and small,
back on their feet and an appropriate approach given the other
resources being devoted to Gulf Coast recovery.
BACKGROUND: EDA DISASTER ASSISTANCE
EDA promotes innovation and competitiveness, preparing American
regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
EDA has a long and successful history of supporting long-term
recovery following natural disasters. EDA's participation in major
disaster recovery efforts has traditionally supplemented the lead roles
assigned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Under existing statutory authority, EDA administers disaster
program funds through targeted grants to disaster-impacted communities
designed to achieve long-term economic recovery. EDA disaster recovery
efforts assist communities in shifting their focus when appropriate
from the short-term emergency response to the long-term economic
impacts of the disaster, and enabling the development of an economic
recovery program that reflects local priorities.
While early EDA investments focus on the important first post-
disaster steps of planning, assessment and technical assistance, the
most critical need after rescue and recovery efforts are completed is
to get people back to work and ensure continued and strategic economic
recovery. This is accomplished through implementation of investments in
support of job creation, retention and private investment. EDA's
regional office staff deploys and works closely with impacted State and
local governments, special districts, nonprofit organizations, and
businesses in providing technical assistance in support of EDA program
investments.
Immediately following a disaster EDA regional staff use local and
State contacts to identify critical implementation investments, namely
infrastructure improvements, impacted by or relevant to the disaster
event. Because of the competitive nature of our grant awarding process,
EDA has the flexibility to target our existing resources to those areas
affected by disasters quickly.
Additionally, under the National Response Plan, EDA represents the
Department of Commerce as a Primary Agency in Emergency Support
Function (ESF) No. 14, for Long-Term Community Recovery and Mitigation.
ESF No. 14 provides a framework for federal government support to
State, regional, local and tribal governments, nongovernmental
organizations and the private sector designed to enable community
recovery from the long-term consequences of an Incident of National
Significance.
Finally, FEMA may ask EDA to perform economic impact evaluations or
carry out other specific tasks through special ``mission assignments.''
Past FEMA mission assignments have tasked EDA to perform economic
impact assessments in North Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey resulting
from Hurricane Floyd.
EDA RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA
EDA anticipated, prepared and responded quickly to Hurricane
Katrina.
Under the direction of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, prior
to Hurricane Katrina's landfall, EDA began preparing for its potential
role in economic recovery efforts in the affected region, including
identifying $4 million in funding to assist economic recovery
priorities. Once the scope of Hurricane Katrina's damage became
evident, EDA successfully reprogrammed $8.3 million in de-obligated
funds (including the $4 million initially identified) to dedicate to
the redevelopment effort. Secretary Gutierrez later announced this
grant during a tour of the affected region. Consistent with EDA statute
and regulation, the agency worked with State and local leadership to
develop economic planning and technical assistance recovery projects in
Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, and has obligated $8.8 million
(including the $8.3 million reprogramming) for investments of $4
million each for Louisiana and Mississippi and two separate investments
of $450,000 for economic planning and $390,000 for Economic Adjustment
in Alabama.
In making these investments, EDA headquarters and regional staff
devised and approved necessary measures to facilitate streamlined
investment strategies and rapid deployment of funds to impacted states.
This included making expedited processing of applications an immediate
mission priority. EDA regional staff also worked directly with the
three governors' offices to identify appropriate State agencies as
recipients and, consistent with EDA's mission, to develop the
appropriate scopes of work for the States.
Also, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I
established an internal taskforce of headquarters and regional staff to
monitor and coordinate the bureau's actions and response. I assigned
EDA's Austin Regional Office Director, an experienced, SES-level career
executive to lead this internal task force. EDA personnel continue to
engage local and State leadership throughout the Gulf Coast, working to
leverage existing resources in the broader economic development
community to assist with near-term recovery priorities.
For example, working in cooperation with the Arkansas State
University's Delta Center for Economic Development and other EDA
grantees, EDA was able to secure the deployment of four EDA-funded
``Netmobiles,'' minivans equipped with high-technology computer
equipment and satellite Internet access, to Katrina-affected areas.
Business counselors are currently using the Netmobiles to assist
affected business owners in finding and acquiring the resources
necessary to resume operations.
FUTURE EDA ASSISTANCE FOR GULF COAST RECOVERY
EDA will continue to work through its established economic
development networks, including regional development organizations,
universities, nonprofit and community- and faith-based organizations to
leverage all available resources for the recovery effort.
In our supporting role, EDA can bring a variety of existing program
resources to this task. EDA's principal program for addressing sudden
and severe economic dislocation, including natural disasters, is its
Economic Adjustment Program. This program utilizes a flexible and
comprehensive set of tools to help impacted areas achieve long-term
economic recovery, including:
<bullet> Augmenting the institutional capacity of State and local
governments with EDA recovery planning or technical assistance
investments focusing on job retention and job creation to offset the
negative impacts of the disaster on the local economy;
<bullet> Supporting locally-directed mitigation efforts flowing
from a strategic recovery planning process (and ultimately as part of a
mitigation planning component of a long-term comprehensive economic
development planning process) to safeguard jobs from the impact of
future disasters; and
<bullet> Addressing State and local needs for new construction and
post-disaster improvements to publicly-owned commercial or industrial
facilities or infrastructure with EDA construction investments.
While our program tools are flexible, EDA must initially rely on
its statute to identify those eligible to receive EDA investment
dollars. Eligible recipients include State and local governments,
public and private nonprofit organizations, and regional economic
development districts. Businesses are not eligible for direct
assistance under EDA's major programs. EDA does not have the
capability, personnel or authority to administer direct loans to
businesses. Additionally, the bureau would be challenged to adequately
oversee new revolving loan funds (RLF), which have been an ongoing
concern of the Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General and
once established, must be administered in perpetuity by EDA.
EDA-supported recovery efforts aim to produce quantifiable results
for the areas impacted by the disaster. EDA designs its investments to
ensure significant leveraging of private and nonprofit resources to
guarantee accountability for the taxpayer dollars invested.
Additionally, the bureau will consult and work closely with the Office
of the Inspector General with regards to the award and administration
of all Katrina related disaster recovery funds. EDA views the Office of
Inspector General as a valuable partner in helping to ensure that
federal resources are as effective as possible for the intended
beneficiaries.
EDA investments in the Katrina affected region are administered by
EDA's Atlanta and Austin regional offices. Just as the bureau has done
in the past, EDA is able to respond to disasters of this magnitude by
building upon our existing internal taskforce structure, with
assistance from additional EDA personnel from headquarters and other
regional offices that have disaster recovery experience.
REDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
While it is important that federal, State, and local governments
move as quickly as possible to address the economic impacts in the Gulf
Coast region, economic revitalization efforts must also be based on a
sound understanding of the economic landscape before and after the
Hurricanes to ensure that federal efforts are market-based, enhance
regional competitiveness, support long-term development of the regional
economy, and achieve the intended results. To this end, it is vitally
important to work not only with State and local officials, but also
with the region's business leaders.
The Administration is focused on ensuring that economic recovery
funding is effective and truly focused on rebuilding the Gulf Coast's
economic infrastructure in order to get people back to work and
businesses up and running again. Working together with the private
sector, we are determined to succeed in aiding those who need the
assistance of an effective, coordinated federal, State and local
response to rebuild the Gulf Coast's economic infrastructure. EDA is
proud to play a supporting role in the coordinated federal response to
this unprecedented natural disaster.
Thank you for allowing me to testify before you today. I am pleased
to answer any questions you may have.
______
Response by Sandy K. Baruah to an Additional Question from
Senator Jeffords
Question. Mr. Baruah, EDA excels in leveraging private sector
resources to facilitate economic development. How do you propose to
facilitate economic development in areas where the private sector has
been almost wiped out and has limited resources?
Response. The key to the redevelopment and revitalization of the
devastated areas of the Gulf Coast will be to create an environment in
which the private sector is prepared to invest its capital in the
region, which in turn retains and creates jobs. In a situation where
vast geographic areas are devastated by a natural or man-made disaster,
it is imperative that the redevelopment planning of such an area be led
by the private sector. Private sector leadership is critical because
the redevelopment strategy may include completely new industry sectors
and development approaches than those that were previously part of the
regional economy. Ultimately, solutions in scenarios like the one you
have posed have less to do with EDA's current capabilities than they do
with EDA's capacity to facilitate a private sector driven process.
Government, of course, can play an important role. EDA can assist
with the development of locally determined long-term regional strategic
plans in support of the economic recovery of the region. Additionally,
EDA can invest in upgrading the region's critical core business
infrastructure which in many cases is necessary to support business
development and expansion. Nonetheless, any success in these efforts is
based on a robust and close public-private partnership.
EDA has found this approach to be effective in other instances of
sudden and severe economic dislocation where there previously had been
little or no private sector involvement, such as the redevelopment of
military installations under Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). EDA
has had success in transforming BRAC sites into successful private
sector-led business and technology parks with substantial levels of
private sector capital investment.
__________
Statement of H. Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
U.S. Department of the Interior
Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is H. Dale Hall,
Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Thank you for the
opportunity to discuss the devastating impact Hurricane Katrina had on
the Southeast region and the tremendous difference Service employees
continue to make in those communities that lost so much.
We have gained a great deal of experience in responding to these
types of situations over the years. In 2004, the Service's Southeast
Region was impacted by four major hurricanes--Ivan, Charley, Jeanne and
Frances. This year, Hurricane Katrina, which devastated dozens of
communities across three states and wreaked havoc in the lives of
thousands of citizens, was followed by Hurricanes Rita, Ophelia and
Wilma. This testimony will focus on the Service's response to Hurricane
Katrina and the impact Katrina had on Service resources. Throughout my
statement I will be referencing some accompanying slides.
INITIAL RESPONSE
In the days immediately preceding Hurricane Katrina's landfall,
Service offices and refuges in Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and
Alabama implemented their Hurricane Emergency Action Plans. These plans
outline steps to secure Service facilities and ensure the safety of
employees.
On August 30, the day following Hurricane Katrina's landfall, the
Service Special Operations Response Team (SORT) arrived in the incident
area to begin rescue efforts and assess initial damages. The SORT Team
is made up of Service Refuge Law Enforcement Officers. Immediately
following the SORT Team, the Incident Command Team (ICT) began arriving
on scene. This team is made up of Service personnel from various
programs trained in emergency response and recovery efforts. Service
personnel quickly focused on assisting the people and communities in
Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. They immediately engaged in search
and rescue activities, saving lives from the outset. (See slides 2-6.)
Within 4 days of Hurricane Katrina's landfall, the Service had
established a full service Incident Command Post at Big Branch National
Wildlife Refuge in Lacombe, Louisiana, 20 miles north of New Orleans.
Working cooperatively with other agencies, including the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, we participated in rescuing more
than 4,500 people, including two occupants from a helicopter crash on a
rooftop. The heroic efforts of Service employees make me proud to be a
part of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Charles Flynn, the Fire Chief of St. Tammany Parish Fire District
3, said:
``The support that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
provided to Lacombe has been outstanding. I want to thank all
of you for the great help from feeding us to clearing our
roads. It has been a blessing to have you here.''
As the need for emergency rescue operations decreased, the Service
began assisting agencies with recovery operations. On September 5, we
began working with the U.S. Coast Guard on spill response operations in
Alabama and Mississippi. We began assisting with spill response
operations in Louisiana on September 12. A week later, Service
personnel began efforts to minimize water quality impacts from the de-
watering of New Orleans and, on September 28, the Service deployed 24
Refuge Law Enforcement Officers to Lafayette, Louisiana, to assist the
Red Cross.
In addition, the Service's Southeast Region sent out clarifying
guidance to remind Federal and State agencies that the Endangered
Species Act allows a waiver of the regulatory requirements required by
the law in the case of Presidentially declared disasters. This guidance
ensured that the Endangered Species Act would not stand in the way of
recovery and clean-up efforts.
COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES
More than 150 Service employees live and work in the areas affected
by the hurricane. Thankfully, all of our employees are safe and
accounted for, but 21 of our employees lost their homes and personal
belongings. In spite of this, some of these employees were quick to
volunteer to help others less fortunate. More than 600 Service
employees worked shifts at the full-service base of operations
established at Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge. This facility
provided food, water, shelter, fuel, showers and laundry facilities to
our displaced employees and their families, as well as local police and
fire departments, 100 American Red Cross and International Red Cross
volunteers, National Guard servicemen, Immigration and Customs
personnel, 40 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel, and
other law enforcement officers engaged in the search and rescue efforts
throughout the affected area. The operations base at Big Branch
provided more than 25,000 meals (including 200 each day that were sent
to support staff and patients at the Louisiana Heart Hospital), more
than 3,600 showers, and more than 1,900 loads of laundry. Dr. James E.
Smith, an Interventional Cardiologist with the Louisiana Heart
Hospital, said:
``Our location was difficult to re-supply after Katrina
passed. It became important to have a little down time, get out
of the facility and go get a meal in 15 or 20 minutes and be
back on the job. Also, many of the patients and their families
were able to get the sack lunches from the Fish and Wildlife
facility. It was just a wonderful service and we really, really
needed that support.''
Service crews cleared more than 300 driveways, over 14 miles of
roads, ten miles of fire breaks, and four major parking lots, including
the Louisiana Heart Hospital, Lake Castle School and the local Post
Office. Our employees conducted reconnaissance on 65 miles of roadways
on more than 100 streets. Service personnel assisted numerous citizens,
including clearing a driveway so that an ambulance could transport a
patient home from the hospital. (See slides 7-12.)
Agents from the Service's Office of Law Enforcement, as well as
Refuge Law Enforcement Officers from various areas of the country,
assisted in numerous search and recovery missions. During a live
interview, CNN Commentator Donna Brazile made a plea for help in
finding her sister, Sheila, who lived in an assisted living facility in
New Orleans and had not been heard from since the storm. We sent a boat
to the last place where Sheila had been seen--a flooded area of New
Orleans that had not yet been visited by rescuers. They found Sheila
and five other people in the building with no food or water. Donna
Brazile said without the efforts of the Service, her sister probably
would have died. This is one of many stories of Service employees going
beyond the call of duty to rescue people in need during this crucial
time after the hurricane hit.
IMPACTS TO WILDLIFE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
The area impacted by Hurricane Katrina has one of the largest
concentrations of national wildlife refuges in the country due to the
important coastal wetlands in the region. Nineteen national wildlife
refuges were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Sixteen of these are
coastal refuges that were temporarily closed in the aftermath of
Katrina. Our refuges and other facilities have addressed the most
urgent clean-up and repairs and are refining damage assessments to
incorporate all available information from the impacted area, including
reports from initial responders, emergency personnel, station managers
and field personnel. We also rely on initial aerial reconnaissance and
meteorological and hydrological data. These reports provide specific
information about damages and the magnitude of impacts to both fish and
wildlife resources and agency operations. Cost estimates are developed
based upon actual costs to construct or repair damaged assets or the
cost of completing similar work in the past. Over the past two years,
our initial assessments of clean-up and facility repairs have been 95
percent accurate when compared with actual costs.
Southeastern Louisiana, and especially Breton National Wildlife
Refuge, is globally important for colonial nesting birds. Up to 15
percent of the world's Brown Pelicans and up to 30 percent of the
world's Sandwich Terns nest in this area. Breton, which is part of the
Chandeleur Islands and celebrated its centennial last year, lost 50 to
70 percent of its land mass due the effects of Hurricane Katrina. In
addition, Mississippi Sandhill Crane, Big Branch Marsh, Delta, Bogue
Chitto, and Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuges suffered
significant impacts. We estimate the National Wildlife Refuge System in
the Southeast Region experienced direct land losses, accelerated
degradation or other damage on more than 150,000 acres of coastal and
bottomland wetlands.
Though it is still early and more analysis is needed, the Service
and its partners have completed some preliminary assessments and expect
additional coastal wetland impacts. Coastal marshes in the Mississippi
River delta and the Parishes south of New Orleans, and the marshes of
Southwest Louisiana, were hard hit by winds, surge, and saltwater from
Hurricane Katrina. Two important wetland plants were severely impacted;
Spartina was extensively uprooted, and Phragmites was laid over and
burned by saline storm surge. Further spatial analyses will be needed
to quantify the acreage of those wetlands that were converted to open
water. Coastal forested wetlands ranging from eastern Lake
Pontchartrain Basin to the Pearl River were defoliated and sustained
heavy damage to standing trees.
Although we are working with other agencies to ensure that the
requirements of the Endangered Species Act do not impede recovery, we
are focused on the assessment of hurricane impacts to wildlife species,
and particularly endangered species. We have received reports of
substantial mussel and fish die-offs. Aquatic ecosystems and fish
communities may have been severely impacted by contaminant releases,
sedimentation, loss of spawning habitat, and disruption of migration.
About 50 sea turtle nests along the Alabama coast were lost, including
all 10 nests at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. In many areas,
extensive timber damage has removed potential nesting trees for bald
eagles and other birds. Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi
and Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana lost a
significant number of trees, including cavity trees used by roosting
and nesting red-cockaded woodpeckers. Tree loss also will impact
foraging habitat for these endangered birds. Primary dunes, which are
habitat for the Alabama beach mouse, have been destroyed. In addition,
90 percent of the secondary dunes were destroyed and scrub habitat was
damaged by salt spray from the ocean. Both habitat types serve as food
sources for the beach mouse and it is likely their population will be
substantially reduced from the effects of both Hurricane Katrina and
last year's Hurricane Ivan. (See slides 15-16.)
The Service is currently working to assess Hurricane Katrina's full
impact on the area's natural resources, some of which may take some
time to become apparent. Such impacts include the spread of exotic
species facilitated by the storm, ecosystem changes, and the effects of
contaminant releases. We will be working with other agencies, states,
and our partners to identify the appropriate division of
responsibilities for restoration and recovery and utilizing our
combined capabilities to address these needs.
FUTURE ACTIONS
In addition to providing essential habitat for fish, wildlife, and
waterfowl, coastal wetlands also serve as important buffers, or shock
absorbers, during large storm events. Without them, inland areas are
more prone to effects of storm surge, flooding, high winds, and
erosion. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, roughly 24 square miles of
valuable coastal wetlands were being lost annually. To address the
problem, in 1990 Congress passed the Coastal Wetland Planning,
Protection and Restoration Act to provide much-needed funding to stem
wetland loss throughout the country but focused specifically on coastal
Louisiana. The Service represents the Secretary of the Interior on the
CWPRRA Task Force, which has approved 154 small scale restoration
projects to protect and restore more than 117,000 net acres of coastal
wetlands over the past 14 years. In addition, the Service works closely
with the State of Louisiana and other agencies in developing
comprehensive restoration plans.
Through a number of programs, the Service will be assisting other
Federal agencies, the State, and local entities in wetlands
conservation and restoration. Programs such as the Coastal Wetlands
Conservation grants will allow the Service to have a significant role
in reversing Louisiana's coastal wetland losses and helping to
implement a systematic approach consisting of larger projects working
in concert with smaller projects to restore essential geomorphic
structures and processes. To abbreviate the number and duration of
independent feasibility studies, State and Federal participants formed
the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA) Comprehensive Coastwide Ecosystem
Restoration Study Team. The LCA Study was completed in November 2004
and identifies the most critical ecological needs of the Louisiana
coastal area in locations where delaying action would result in a loss
of opportunity to achieve restoration.
The Service is working through its ecological services programs to
assist Federal agencies in developing plans for building in wetland
areas in a way that considers the need to restore ecological functions
that will help prevent future flooding and help minimize the impact of
future storms. We are also taking this opportunity to work with
stakeholders to minimize the potential for oil spill and oil leakages
that can degrade coastal wetlands and rob them of the ability to act as
natural buffers.
The Service has already begun working with all affected partners to
assess conservation restoration needs throughout the region impacted by
Hurricane Katrina. The goal will be restoring coastal wetland habitats
to continue to provide wildlife habitat, coastal protection, and
economic benefits. We look forward to working with the committee, our
Federal and State partners, and local communities to meet this
challenge.
Finally, I would like to thank the Service employees who, in the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, went above and beyond the call of duty
to quickly respond to citizens in their time of need. Their quick,
decisive actions served to highlight the ability of the Service to
provide vital equipment, supplies, and personnel familiar with their
communities to save lives and property in the most extraordinary of
circumstances.
Mr. Chairman, thank you again for the opportunity to be here. I
would be happy to answer any questions you or the other members of the
committee might have.
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Response by H. Dale Hall to an Additional Question from Senator
Jeffords
Question. How will you assess the damage to the habitat and the
wildlife and when will this be completed?
Response. Initially following the hurricanes, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) began surveys across the Gulf Coast. As
mentioned in the Service's statement at the hearing, the area impacted
by Hurricane Katrina has one of the largest concentrations of national
wildlife refuges in the country due to the important coastal wetlands
in the region. Nineteen national wildlife refuges were affected by the
storm, and we are finding significant wildlife and wildlife habitat
impacts. Initial reconnaissance has shown roughly 100 square miles of
coastal marshes in Southeast Louisiana are now open water.
Habitats for red-cockaded woodpeckers, beach mice and sea turtles
were severely impacted along the Gulf Coast. There were also impacts to
wildlife from oil and chemical spills caused by the hurricanes,
particularly onshore south of New Orleans where refineries and tank
farms were damaged from tidal surge flooding.
We do not, and we may never, know the full extent of the impacts of
the hurricane to wildlife and their associated habitats. However, the
Service will continue to conduct specific on-the-ground assessments to
determine impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitat across the Gulf
Coast, including to coastal and forested wetlands, upland habitats, and
fish and wildlife populations, as well as the hurricane's affects on
the distribution and spread of invasive/exotic species and the
contamination of water, fish, wildlife, sediments and soils. Our
objective is to focus assessments on those wildlife resources under the
Service's jurisdiction and their habitats within the context of the
overall ecosystem. We expect to complete the assessments within the
next 6 to 12 months.
We are benefiting from aerial and ground surveys conducted by staff
from the Service, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Service's Gulf
Coast Joint Venture, and the State of Louisiana. The Service is
partnering with all relevant Federal and State agencies to
collaboratively examine hurricane related impacts to eliminate
duplication USGS is working with partners to produce detailed
assessments, maps and models of the post-hurricane coastal areas based
on geospatial data analysis (including new digital elevation maps). The
Service envisions using those products to refine and prioritize
specific habitat restoration recommendations and objectives.
__________
Statement of David Winstead, Commissioner, Public Building Service,
General Service Administration
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is
David L. Winstead and I am the Commissioner of the Public Buildings
Service (PBS), U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Thank you
for inviting me here today to discuss our response to Hurricane Katrina
and the on-going recovery.
GSA manages a diverse portfolio of real estate for the Federal
government over 340 million square feet of space in office buildings,
courthouses, border stations, warehouses, etc. We serve nearly 60
agencies (over 400 bureaus), the U.S. Courts, and Congress. We house
over one million Federal employees. We see ourselves as mission
enablers, providing the functional space needed by Federal agencies to
accomplish their missions.
This year, six hurricanes have struck the United States; the most
significant being Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. While all three
impacted our customers and our real property assets in the Gulf Coast
region, the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina was one of the
worst natural disasters the United States has ever experienced. The
impact zone spanned two GSA regions: 200 miles wide, as far west as
Louisiana, as far east as Florida, and as far north as Kentucky.
In the face of the unprecedented demand created by Hurricane
Katrina and then Hurricanes Rita and Wilma that followed, GSA's first
priority has been to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). Our role is defined in the National Emergency Response Plan:
specifically, Emergency Support Functions No. 2 (Communications) and
No. 7 (Resource Support). We have provided and continue to provide as
needed: communications support, emergency relief supplies, facility
space, office equipment, and contracting services. The level of support
required of GSA has been greater than ever before experienced.
Hurricanes pose two additional challenges to GSA: (1) to provide
space and services to our customers; and (2) to safeguard our real
property assets both through preventive measures and repair. To meet
these two challenges GSA draws from the extensive experience of its
professionals in property management, leasing, and the architectural/
engineering disciplines.
GSA's hurricane response strategy is generally comprised of the
following: (1) Advance preparation; (2) customer communications/
hotlines; (3) damage assessment; (4) returning customers to operational
status; and (5) returning owned and leased space to operational status.
This last step may be as simple as waiting for area-wide power to be
restored or as complex as repairing or completely replacing facilities.
GSA's strategy was developed from the lessons learned by our regional
associates who are well-practiced in hurricane response.
Generally, advance preparations begin once the National Weather
Service projects a hurricane with the potential for landfall. Buildings
located within the hurricane's forecast path are identified, reviewed,
preventive action is taken, and daily conference calls on readiness
between service center directors in those areas and regional staff
associates begin. Regional personnel follow the direction of local
officials regarding evacuations.
When weather predictions indicated that Hurricane Katrina would
make landfall, regional associates began tracking the projected path
and alerted field personnel. Information was also conveyed between our
Southeast Sunbelt and Greater Southwest regional associates. Advanced
preparations at facilities in the hurricane's forecast path began. Such
preparations included testing and fueling generators, inspecting and
securing building components, shutting down building systems where
possible, placing sand bags where appropriate and boarding up the lower
levels of multi-story buildings. Prior to Hurricane Katrina's landfall
in the Gulf Coast, a major storm surge was predicted in Gulfport, MS.
As a preventative countermeasure, the first three floors of the Dan M.
Russell Federal Building and Courthouse in Gulfport, MS were boarded-up
at an estimated expense of $ 20,000. This investment saved taxpayers an
estimated $1 million dollars in damage to windows from heavy rain, high
wind, storm surge flooding, and floating and wind-borne debris.
Concurrent with building preparations, PBS established information
hotlines and websites to communicate with customers. As information on
the Hurricane and the status of facilities became available, the
hotlines and websites were updated. Customers could call the Hotline
number and/or access the website to get information about their
building.
Simultaneously, the GSA National Office established a rapid
response team to (1) accumulate and coordinate the deployment of
resources such as equipment and people from our other regional offices,
(2) establish and distribute budgetary and procurement policy, (3)
accumulate and distribute situational intelligence, and (4) establish
and maintain senior level communications with FEMA and the affected
agencies. The command structure and communication between National
Office, Regional Offices, Service Center Directors, and Command posts
has become a newly established piece of GSA hurricane response
strategy.
GSA's Federal Telecommunications Service and Federal Supply Service
also responded at an unprecedented level. Direct support provided to
FEMA operations included temporary lodging through purchase agreements,
personal property management, shipping services, fleet vehicles,
telecommunications services, furnishings and supplies. GSA also
assisted local governments in re-establishing communications and
procuring vital supplies and services for the recovery effort.
At the same time, building damage assessment teams were mobilized
in cities outside the projected path of the storm to assist the local
service center teams with damage assessment. Once personnel were
permitted back into the impacted areas, GSA began the process of damage
assessment and bringing buildings back on-line. Initial response was
hampered by the wide geographic area affected by Hurricane Katrina, the
extensive damage and prolonged flood waters.
Within the first few days following Hurricane Katrina, preliminary
damage assessments of buildings were completed. Generally, the extent
of the damage was not as severe as expected. Buildings in New Orleans
were not accessible for evaluation until nearly a week after the
hurricane hit. Not until flooding receded were GSA officials, escorted
by Federal Protective Service Officers, able to begin damage
assessments.
In terms of the impact to our real property assets, GSA did not
suffer any catastrophic losses. Damages sustained included: power
outages, water intrusion, power distribution equipment damage, limited
structural damage, mold build-up, broken windows, and major roof damage
and leaks. Of the 42 government-owned locations, the most substantial
damage occurred in New Orleans where buildings withstood the onslaught
of wind and flood waters. Most notably, the roof of the historic New
Orleans Custom House failed, although structurally, the remainder of
the building is sound. It is a testament to the design and construction
of our buildings that in the hurricane-stricken area, both our oldest
and most historic building, the New Orleans Custom House and our newest
federal building, the Dan M. Russell Federal Building and Courthouse in
Gulfport, MS, sustained limited damage.
In contrast, the leased inventory fared less well, with damages
ranging from total loss to minor repairs. GSA worked closely with our
lessors to ascertain damages. Where buildings were closed, rent
payments were suspended. Fortunately, leases in the impacted area
tended to house customers with smaller space requirements, making
alternative worksites easier to find.
Immediately following the hurricane, GSA began working with
customer agencies to provide them with functional space and enable them
to accomplish their missions. This included finding replacement space,
procuring trailers; and transporting vital records. Alternative space
options ranged from: underutilized properties in GSA's or other Federal
agencies' inventory, hoteling, colocating, working at home, and
relocating to other parts of the country.
Within GSA-provided space there were approximately 2,600 federal
employees in 28 Federal Agencies whose operations were significantly
impacted by Hurricane Katrina. To date, all customer agencies in
Regions 4 and 7 are operational. As of October 27, three government-
owned and 33 leased locations, a total of 36, remain closed as a result
of Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Rita, a Category 3 storm, hit Texas almost immediately
after Hurricane Katrina. With personnel already deployed and with more
time to plan, GSA's response to Hurricane Rita was efficient and
effective. As of October 27, 2005 all federal buildings in the areas
hit by Hurricane Rita are open, with the exception of the Jack Brooks
Federal Building in Beaumont, TX, which is only partially open. Four
leased locations in the area remain closed.
The eighth storm to hit Florida in 2 years, Hurricane Wilma hit on
Monday, October 24, 2005. Thirteen buildings are closed as of October
27, 2005. Damage assessments for GSA's 213 owned and leased facilities
in the wake of Hurricane Wilma are still pending. Reported damage is
consistent with heavy rainfall and strong winds including water
intrusion, roof damage and building components. Once power is restored,
comprehensive damage assessments will be conducted to determine the
full extent of the damage.
In the days that followed Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, GSA
was asked to estimate the damages to our government-owned buildings. At
that time, we estimated total capital repair and replacement costs of
$60 million and additional operating costs of $15 million. These
initial estimates are proving to be substantially correct, as access to
more buildings is gained and more comprehensive estimates are received.
We are working with our authorizing and appropriating committees to
receive approval to exceed prospectus funding limitations for emergency
repair work on the affected buildings. We are currently estimating
capital and operating costs for Hurricane Wilma. We believe these costs
will be relatively low.
In answer to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita and now Hurricane
Wilma, GSA rapidly deployed teams of experienced federal property
managers, leasing specialists, contracting officers, attorneys,
engineers, and environmental, telecommunication, and supply
specialists. The effectiveness of GSA's response is primarily due to
the expertise and professionalism of these associates. The consequence
of this commitment creates a real challenge for GSA, as the increased
workload created by these hurricanes does not diminish the normal day-
to-day workload nationwide. The scope and numbers of employees GSA has
deployed, nationwide, to help with the response effort for FEMA and GSA
operations is unprecedented.
Mr. Chairman, GSA has successfully responded to the unprecedented
2005 Atlantic hurricane season and the closely spaced series of
hurricanes occurring within two months. Our success can be attributed
to: (1) organizing the preparation and rapid deployment of resources to
stricken areas; (2) the availability of experienced professionals; and
(3) organizing effective and continuous communication with customers
and the internal response team structure. In addition, superior design
and sound construction of our public buildings resulted in their
ability to withstand these storms without extreme damage.
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to testify before your
committee. I will be happy to answer any questions you or members of
the committee may have.
______
Responses by David L. Winstead to Additional Questions
from Senator Jeffords
Question 1. What constitutes the $15 million in additional
operating costs and how is this different from the $60 million capital
repair and replacement costs?
Response. Basic Repair and Alterations: The damage and associated
costs resulting from Hurricane Katrina were unanticipated in the
current fiscal year and in GSA's fiscal year 2006 request. GSA has very
limited authority to perform emergency repairs to its buildings and
provide short-term emergency leasing on behalf of its Federal
customers, Currently, all emergency funding must be derived from
existing funding, which directly impacts GSA's ability to carry-out its
necessary national program functions. The estimated repair and
associated cost of the damage from Hurricane Katrina far surpasses
GSA's ability to absorb these cost increases in its base program and
therefore we seek an additional supplemental appropriation to cover
these emergency costs.
Building Operations: The purpose of this request is to fund
emergency repairs to Federal buildings and United States Courthouses
damaged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. This request includes the
unplanned costs for equipment (water pumps, generators, communication
equipment, etc.) and additional professional (architects, engineers,
planner estimators, etc.) and nonprofessional (cleaners, janitors,
maintenance workers, mechanical and systems personnel, etc.) contract
staffing to support GSA personnel in the field with damage assessment,
recovery efforts, facilities operations and maintenance, debris
removal, and clean-up activities.
Question 2. Is GSA responsible or involved in any infrastructure
repairs outside GSA's property under the Stafford Act?
Response. GSA does not have any responsibility for infrastructure
repair beyond our own properties, either under the Stafford Act or
otherwise. However, if FEMA or another agency with that responsibility
were to ask us for help, we can provide the assistance on a
reimbursable basis to them.
The Stafford Act conveys broad authorities to the President to
provide disaster assistance relief. Most of the authorities conveyed in
the Stafford Act have been delegated by the President through Executive
Order 12656 to FEMA. The Stafford Act, itself, does not specifically
reference GSA (except in providing support for the disposal of certain
temporary housing units to the occupying disaster victims if they lack
permanent housing). Our agency response activities under the Stafford
Act are in support of FEMA and other direct responding agencies. Part
18 of Executive Order 12656 discusses GSA's specific emergency
preparedness and response responsibilities. These include, among
others, developing plans and operating procedures for government-wide
supply programs and use of excess and surplus property (both real and
personal) to meet the requirements of Federal during national
emergencies.
Question 3. Is there anything you observed in your agency's
response to Hurricane Katrina that you would like to improve? If so,
what congressional action would be required to assist the agency?
Response. In response to future emergencies, GSA would like to
explore alternatives to provide more flexibility with regard to
emergency leasing authority in the event of emergencies. In addition,
emergency response could be enhanced if GSA could report a
``notification'' of funds spent for emergency repairs that are above
the prospectus level rather than seek approval from Congress before
proceeding with emergency repairs.
__________
Statement of Hon. C. Ray Nagin, Mayor, New Orleans, LA
Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, I would like to thank you
all for inviting me to speak to you today about the city of New
Orleans. To all the members of Congress, and in particular to our
Louisiana delegation, thank you for all of your continued hard work and
dedication in helping us in this time of need. I would also like to
take a moment to thank the American people, most of all, for the
compassion, support and generosity they have shown our city over the
last couple of months. The outpouring from private citizens and
corporations all over this country has been remarkable.
New Orleans is surrounded by the great waters of the United States.
But while the waters surrounding New Orleans provide our lifeblood,
they also threaten our very existence. A system of levees and pumps
protects this city nestled in the crescent of the Mississippi River and
extending north to the banks of Lake Pontchartrain. Although these
systems ordinarily meet the water challenges facing the city,
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were extraordinary events that have changed
life in New Orleans forever.
As you know, on August 29, 2005, Katrina, the most powerful
Category 4 hurricane to hit the region, devastated New Orleans and the
Gulf region causing unimaginable damage and breaching the levees that
protect our city. This storm forced hundreds of thousands of people to
flee, flooded thousands of homes and decimated many lives. The damage
to homes, schools, businesses, hospitals, roads, water plants,
communication facilities, and electrical power infrastructure was
unprecedented and the economic and social fabric of the area was
damaged in its entirety.
Our storm protection systems did not work against Katrina, a
Category 4 hurricane that made land fall near Buras, Louisiana. The
city's levees were overtopped and/or destroyed, which created a flood
that would overtake much of New Orleans.
All business was immediately halted. Hospitals were forced to
close; electricity, communications and fresh water services were
disabled. Hundred of thousands had to be evacuated to different cities
throughout the United States. Many who wanted to come home could not
because their homes were destroyed; jobs were lost with no access to a
workable health care system. Homes that did survive were inundated with
contaminated and oil laced water. Some of these homes and businesses
are ruined forever. Some of our hospitals may have to be torn down.
Now we have a great challenge before us. We need to rebuild this
great city to bring New Orleans back and in order to do that, we need
this committee's help in a combination of structural and nonstructural
flood control measures.
Our first challenge is to ensure the safety and security of our
citizens. The Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers has assured me that
flood defenses for New Orleans will be restored by June of 2006 to the
level where they were when the hurricane struck and overpowered them.
The Corps Commander also acknowledged that this would provide little
comfort in a city devastated by the storm and whose flood protection is
not as strong as it should be. The Corps currently has no authority to
rebuild the city's flood protection from hurricanes stronger than a
Category 3 storm. But more is needed. Now is the time for our country
to make a commitment to the Category 5 levees that will enable us to
bring New Orleans back. I ask this not just for the nearly half a
million people who call the city home but indeed for the well being of
our Nation. Only with a plan to improve our critical levee and flood
control systems can we expect citizens to come back and businesses to
reinvest on a large scale.
New Orleans is an economic hub for the entire Nation and is of
great strategic importance. Four of the largest ports in the Nation are
in this area; half of the grain exported from the United States goes
through New Orleans, the area contains a vast infrastructure for oil
and gas exploration and production, petrochemicals, refineries and
pipelines that serve much of the country and its fishery resources are
among the largest in the United States. Simply put, the Nation cannot
afford not to rebuild New Orleans and Federal money must help the city
to rebuild the right way this time.
But levees and floodwalls alone will not solve this problem.
Drainage is an essential part of the flood control equation. The
Southeast Louisiana Flood Control Project (SELA), our primary drainage
enhancement program, must be expedited and completed as soon as
possible so that the benefits can be realized as we rebuild the city.
Our water and sanitation system infrastructure was also badly
damaged by Katrina. They need to be renovated or replaced in order to
continue providing our citizens with safe drinking water and a healthy
environment.
Another crucial component to our infrastructure needs lies outside
Orleans Parish. A comprehensive plan to protect our city and the
Nation's investment in our region includes rebuilding the marshlands of
southeast Louisiana. Wetlands act as a natural buffer between this part
of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico, reducing potential
flooding and protecting southeast Louisiana from devastating storm
surge. Two miles of rebuilt marshland will reduce surge up to 2 feet.
With local, State and Federal coordination on this issue we can protect
the Nations' investment in New Orleans and the Louisiana coastal area.
Along with the rebuilding of our Levee System to help protect the
city from another dangerous storm, we are also focused on the
reestablishment of our businesses. We need to ensure that local workers
and businesses have an opportunity to be a part of the rebuilding
process. An initial investment can pay off multiple times for our
Nation if we invest in the people who will continue to reinvest in the
local economy.
To bring New Orleans back, we must also revitalize our business
climate with tax breaks to help stimulate re-investment and economic
development.
Therefore, I am asking for the establishment of the New Orleans/
Katrina Tax Recovery and Jobs Incentive Zone that would give people a
50 percent credit on their taxable wages. This zone would cover the
entire city, along with other similarly affected areas, and would
consist of several main components:
<bullet> The credit would be capped at $50,000 for single tax
payers and $100,000 for joint returns.
<bullet> Employers would also receive a 50 percent income tax
credit based on their total payroll for all employees who live and work
in the zone. Credits would not carry back or carry forward for sales to
third parties.
<bullet> There would also be an income tax free zone within these
areas for any manufacturing companies creating jobs and adding value to
any of the top five raw materials (coffee beans, steel, raw metals,
rubber and plywood) imported through the Port of New Orleans with a
focus on advanced robotic utilization. The same tax free zone would
also be created for medical research, clinical trials, pharmaceutical
manufacturing, and related patent development.
<bullet> To ensure that we bring back businesses and individuals
who were forced to relocate, we need a full Relocation Tax Credit that
should be allowed for uncompensated expenses incurred in relocating
individuals or businesses to their location prior to the storm.
Relocation expenses should include those related to leases of temporary
facilities, along with everyday expenses such as lodging incurred on
behalf of employees. The credit should apply for both the regular and
minimum tax and be eligible to carry back for three years and forward
20 years.
These incentives would last for seven years, or until the
population in the target areas reaches pre-Katrina levels, whichever
comes first. To ensure that this Nation's investment in the region has
maximum lasting impact, aid must be delivered to the areas that need it
most. I urge you to establish a minimum funding formula that is based
upon the number of people displaced or affected and the number of
buildings or residences either flooded or damaged.
Our city government knows the uphill battle local businesses,
institutions and workers face, because we too face difficult decisions
as we continue operating. The city laid off approximately 50 percent of
our workforce, about 3,000 people, because of a total loss of revenue
streams. The Stafford Act must be amended so governments facing crises
of this magnitude have more flexibility to pay workers. While the
Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 will allow the city to begin to
address our financial needs, I remain concerned that restrictions
imposed by Congress will make it difficult for us to fully respond to
the challenges ahead. We need the restrictions lifted that limit loan
amounts to 25 percent of our revenue, and that take away the authority
of the President to forgive the loans if a local government cannot
repay. The Stafford Act must be fixed.
Transportation repairs and restoration are yet another crucial
aspect to recovery. Our transit system suffered heavy losses of busses,
rail and associated infrastructure that will require federal assistance
to repair and replace. Without restoration of these transportation
systems, our recovery efforts will be severely impacted. A light rail
system linking Louis Armstrong International Airport, New Orleans and
Baton Rouge would provide another needed tool for the rapid evacuation
of thousands of people in the event of another major storm, and for
rebuilding the regional economy.
Our community is already moving to bring New Orleans back. The
foundation of this effort is a 17-member commission I appointed to
draft a master plan for rebuilding the city. The representatives on the
Bring New Orleans Back Commission will work with hundreds of committee
members, both residents in the city and people displaced by the storm,
to draft a detailed recovery plan. I have charged this commission with
a weighty task, but I am confident that members are up to the
challenge. Each was chosen to enrich the scope of voices necessary to
rebuild our diverse city. Cochairs Mel Lagarde, a successful investor
and entrepreneur, and Barbara Major, a community activist and advocate
for the poor, are representative of the types of input we need to be
successful.
By the end of the year, the commission will develop a blueprint for
New Orleans' recovery. However, we are facing a critical point when
businesses and residents are making life-altering decisions about
whether to stay in the area. Recently, we sponsored a Back to Business
Workshop in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security to
help local companies become more involved in the building process, but
our city needs an immediate infusion of resources and tax incentives to
encourage growth. I am encouraged by President Bush's promise of
federal assistance for locally directed projects because I truly
believe the best people to rebuild New Orleans and Louisiana are the
people who call the area home. This mayoral administration's track
record shows our understanding of the responsibility that will
accompany significant federal aid and our commitment to spending every
penny wisely and in a manner that is in the best interests of all
Americans.
In closing, I would like to remind the committee of the critical
areas I have addressed today:
<bullet> Building flood control measures to protect against a
Category 5 hurricane
<bullet> Repairing or replacing our water and sanitation system
infrastructure
<bullet> Rebuilding the marshlands of Southeast Louisiana
<bullet> Establishing a minimum funding formula
<bullet> Ensuring that local workers and businesses have an
opportunity to participate in the rebuilding of New Orleans
<bullet> Revitalizing the business climate with tax breaks
<bullet> Fixing the Stafford Act
I want to thank you again for allowing me to be here with you
today. New Orleans must be rebuilt and must be made a safe place to
live, work and do business. I am confident that by working together, we
can achieve a common vision: a vibrant New Orleans with a thriving
economy, prosperous citizens, and the chance to once again contribute
to our great Nation. Thank you.
______
Responses by C. Ray Nagin to Additional Questions from Senator Jeffords
Question 1. How are average citizens of the city of New Orleans,
many of whom are spread all over the country, being offered an
opportunity to participate in your Bring New Orleans Back Commission's
planning group?
Response. The Bring New Orleans Back Commission (BNOB) was
developed to create a master plan for rebuilding shaped by the input of
experts and everyday citizens alike. Committees and subcommittees
solicited participation via the Internet and hundreds of local and
national media outlets. Members include representative voices from many
of the city's neighborhoods and community organizations. The BNOB
Commission holds regular meetings in New Orleans that are advertised in
local media and on the Commission's and City's website, which won first
place for its interactive features. BNOB committees also have forums on
specific topics, including health care in a post-Katrina world and the
state of the city's educational system, which hundreds of citizens have
attended.
Since many citizens are no longer living in the New Orleans, the
Commission and I are equally focused on outreach across the diaspora. I
have held four Town Hall Meetings in cities with large populations of
New Orleanians: Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Houston and Memphis. More are
scheduled. In addition, the Commission is holding town hall-style
meetings with the Urban Land Institute to give citizens a chance to
express their thoughts about BNOB and ULI's plans. Residents in
Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Baton Rouge, Memphis and Fort Worth can
attend a meeting in the city where they live to make their thoughts
known.
While we are still communicating with our constituents through all
traditional mediums (mail, telephone) the Internet is an additional
unlimited free resource for displaced residents.
BringNewOrleansBack.org has all of the minutes and meeting schedules
for the Commission and its subgroups. Some committees, like Education,
offer a Q&A section to encourage outreach to displaced citizens,
streaming video of meetings or special conferences, e-mail updates and
surveys for citizens. The Cultural Committee set up an online
registration for displaced artists to participate in the decisionmaking
process and to get feedback. The more New Orleanians can participate in
the process, the better BNOB's plan will be.
Question 2. Can you comment on the equity of the modifications to
the Community Disaster Loan program that were recently enacted by
Congress that preclude Katrina-affected communities from receiving loan
forgiveness under this program?
Response. While the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 will allow
the city to begin to address our financial needs, I remain concerned
that restrictions imposed by Congress will make it difficult for us to
fully respond to the challenges ahead. We need the restrictions lifted
that limit loan amounts to 25 percent of our revenue, and that take
away the authority of the President to forgive the loans if a local
government cannot repay. Repealing the authority of the President to
waive repayment of loans burdens our government with additional debt
that will retard our recovery efforts. The Stafford Act must be fixed.
The national tragedy of September 11, 2001, made it clear that a $5
million cap for municipality suffering a crisis is completely
inadequate. In 31 years, more than $225 billion in loans have been
forgiven. Iraq is not expected to pay back the billions of dollars
American taxpayers are spending to rebuild its infrastructure. However,
when the largest natural disaster to hit the United States decimates
the economy of one of the great cities in this country, traditional
relief under the Stafford Act is not only inadequate but is worsened by
unprecedented repayment conditions. This amounts to second-class
treatment for the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Gulf
Region, who contribute economically and culturally to the worth of our
Nation.
Statement of Kim Dunn Chapital, MSPH, Environmental Consultant, Deep
South Center for Environmental Justice
Thank you Mr. Chairman for the opportunity to testify before this
committee. My name is Kim Dunn Chapital, MSPH. I am here today as a
representative of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
(DSCEJ) at Dillard University in New Orleans, formerly at Xavier
University of Louisiana.\1\ I have worked with DSCEJ for the past 6
years as environmental trainer for unemployed and underemployed
minorities living in low-income communities of color. I train
minorities on how to safely and properly conduct hazardous materials
remediation and emergency response activities, asbestos and lead
abatement, and mold remediation so that they can build healthier
communities free of toxic pollution.
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\1\ DSCEJ was founded in 1992 in collaboration with community
environmental groups and other universities within the southern region
to address environmental justice issues. DSCEJ provides opportunities
for communities, scientific researchers, and decisionmakers to
collaborate on programs and projects that promote the rights of all
people to be free from environmental harm as it impacts health, jobs,
housing, education, and general quality of life. A major goal of DSCEJ
is to develop minority leadership in the areas of environmental,
social, and economic justice along the Mississippi River Chemical
Corridor. DSCEJ is a powerful resource for environmental justice
education and training.
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In addition, for the past 21 years I have worked at the Office of
Environmental Health and Safety at Tulane University. I initially held
the position of hazardous waste technician and worked in that capacity
for 1.5 years. I was then promoted to the position of an industrial
hygienist. In 1981, I was promoted again to the position of
occupational health manager--the position I currently hold. I sit as a
member of the American Indoor Air Quality Council, and have expertise
in the areas of hazardous materials removal and emergency response, and
occupational health and safety. I'm currently accredited by the
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to conduct lead and
asbestos abatement.
I am here today not only as one voice among the thousands of
displaced, primarily low-income people of color, from Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, but also as an expert on environmental and
occupational health issues. I am a lifelong resident of the New Orleans
area and my family and I were recently displaced and have been unable
to permanently return home.
IMPACT OF HURRICANES ON COMMUNITIES
This disaster has left a lasting memory on our communities and
families. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, thousands still
remain displaced from their homes today. For many of them, their homes
have been completely destroyed and will need to be rebuilt. For the
many that have returned or visited their homes, they have come back to
see their home completely destroyed by water. There are thick layers of
sediment that coat the inside of many homes, there is heavy layers of
mold coating the interior of the homes from floor to ceiling, roofs
have completely collapsed, and some homes were picked up by the water
and moved to the middle of streets, if not completely washed away.
For me personally, part of my return was not only to address my
personal cleanup and retrieval issues, but to also do consulting work I
have been very much in demand since Hurricane Katrina. However, upon
seeing my home for the first time and seeing the destruction of my
community, I felt quite helpless, angry, and disgusted. Having to fully
dress in protective equipment to enter my own home was a personal
nightmare. I quickly realized what I was up against. I experienced the
difficult task of wading through unknown hazards, and obtaining proper
protective gear to cleanup my home and that of neighbors. Thus, I
decided to forgo taking advantage of any consulting opportunities, and
chose instead to volunteer my time to help and educate my community on
how to protect themselves when entering their home and cleaning up the
damage. I lent emotional and informational support on how returning
residents should protect themselves and helped to prepare them for what
they were up against.
I believe that New Orleans can be rebuilt in a manner that reflects
its great racial, economic, and cultural diversity. I, along with many
others, look forward to returning to our homes to rebuild and
reinvigorate this city that we love. However, as a community member and
an expert in environmental and occupational health, I am very concerned
about the environmental and public health risks that returning
residents are facing, and the lack of adequate precaution and education
being provided so that returning citizens can protect themselves from
any risks that exist.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS
From what I understand, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has been collecting samples of sediment (mud or soil) from
various parts of New Orleans since shortly after hurricane Katrina.
Some of the sampling results have been reported on the EPA website. New
sediment sampling results were taken on September 25-30, and released
on October 7, 2005, including testing for about 150 chemicals at
numerous sites in New Orleans and nearby areas.
From the results that I have observed, I am very concerned about
the safety of workers participating in cleanup activities and residents
returning home. In addition, I am concerned about the lack of full
disclosure to the public about contamination in and around residential
areas. Finally, I believe that sampling and testing to date is not
adequate, especially in hard-hit areas such as the lower and upper 9th
ward.
I believe that EPA and other health agencies should immediately
broaden toxicity testing of sediments, soils, water, air, and seafood
(including both chemical and biological contaminant monitoring), as
well as biomonitoring and health surveillance of responders and the
public. Immediate widespread testing of sediment and dried mud is
critical to ensuring the safety of cleanup workers and returning
residents, and for identifying toxic hotspots for containment and
cleanup. Big industrial facilities, Superfund sites, and other toxic
hotspots should be catalogued and evaluated, and any dangerous releases
contained immediately. Immediate public disclosure of all information
is also critical.
In short, the most recent EPA data demonstrates the following
(thank you to the Natural Resources Defense Council for assisting in
the review of EPA's data):
<bullet> Based on test results, EPA and CDC recommend that people
avoid all contact with sediment from the flood due to potential health
concerns. If you touch sediment, EPA and CDC recommend washing with
soap and water, rinsing your eyes, and removing contaminated clothes.
<bullet> Bacteria (E. coli) were found in the sediment, indicating
persistent problems with sewage contamination. There is no information
on what amounts of bacterial contamination is hazardous, but the
continuing presence of bacteria shows a need to take safety
precautions.
<bullet> Toxic metals--lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, manganese,
and chromium were found in most samples. The amount of arsenic in many
areas was higher than the ``minimum risk level'' established by the
federal government and was above the remediation level established by
Region 6 EPA for soil in residential neighborhoods.
<bullet> Petroleum contamination was discovered in most sediment
samples, especially from diesel fuel. Many samples from flooded areas
were over the levels at which Region 6 EPA or the Louisiana Department
of Environmental Quality may require soil clean-up in residential
areas. Skin contact with sediment contaminated by fuel oil can cause
itchy, red, sore, and peeling skin, even after brief contact. Breathing
dust contaminated with these chemicals, especially if you breathe them
for many days, can cause illness too.
<bullet> Other contaminants in the sediment included pesticides,
phthalates (chemicals in plastics), several industrial solvents, and
PAHs (cancer-causing chemicals in soot).
more precautions should be taken by returning residents
As a public health professional, I have been surprised by the lack
of adequate public health advisories and warnings regarding the
potential serious environmental and public health impacts of returning
to previously flooded areas.
I have personally observed residents and workers in contaminated
areas with no protection or safety equipment. I observed residents re-
entering their contaminated properties often with young children in
hand. Although some people were wearing gloves or using hand
sanitizers, after handling contaminated materials they did not properly
decontaminate their clothing--they used their clean hands to remove
contaminated boots, threw contaminated clothing in the trunks of their
cars, or often wore the decontaminated clothing in the cars. I observed
many workers conducting cleanup activities with no protective gear at
all. Although some workers did wear protective gear, I observed that
they would often wear the same suit all day long, in addition to no
double suiting, without any change, and then I observed that they
failed to decontaminate the equipment after use, or shower after
removing contaminated clothing. In several instances, I observed
workers with protective gear move from a contaminated site to a
noncontaminated site without any decontamination procedures, thus
spreading toxics from one place to another.
To address these problems, I wanted to share with you some of my
impressions of what kind of precautions I think residents returning to
flooded areas with potential contamination should take (thank you to
Natural Resources Defense Council for assisting in making these
recommendations):
<bullet> Sensitive populations (children, the elderly, and people
with asthma, heart conditions, or compromised immune systems) should
avoid returning until cleanup is completed.
<bullet> I strongly recommend, if residents do return, that they
wear protective gear, limit their time in previously flooded areas, and
wash well once they are out of the area and have access to clean water
again. Protective gear includes heavy boots, nitrile or vinyl gloves
(if they will be touching anything), and a respirator to filter out
contaminants. An appropriate respirator would be an N-95 mask that can
filter out particulate matter as well as microorganisms (such as spores
from mold). If they are removing debris from inside a home, full
protective clothing (Tyvek or similar full body protective suit), is
also recommended. Protective gear can be purchased at a hardware store
or online for less than $50 for a full outfit.
<bullet> Dried dirt and mud in and around houses may contain
harmful toxic chemicals. Residents should avoid activities that stir up
dust (such as sweeping and shoveling). Residents should also avoid
eating food or smoking and applying cosmetics in contaminated areas.
They should wear two layers of gloves when handling anything that came
into contact with the flood water or sediment.
<bullet> Drinking water and sewage systems were hit hard by the two
storms leaving more than 2.4 million people without safe drinking
water. As of October 10, the EPA reported that 270 public water systems
in storm-affected states were still on boil water advisories, and at
least 289 systems were still inoperable. Boiling water only removes
bacteria, but not other contaminants such as metals and toxics.
Therefore, residents should avoid drinking the water. To avoid
dehydration, they should have plenty of bottled water.
PROTECT RETURNING RESIDENTS, DON'T WEAKEN FEDERAL PROTECTIONS
I urge you to reject all efforts to weaken public health and
environmental laws with riders in the appropriations process. Families
already injured by the hurricanes should not be placed in further
jeopardy by proposals to waive or weaken the laws that guarantee them
clean water, healthy air, and safe communities. EPA has not identified
the need for any waivers beyond those already allowed by current law
therefore the need for flexibility can be accommodated without changes
in current law. I urge you ensure that all federal agencies involved in
the recovery and rebuilding efforts fully implement and enforce these
safeguards, including in minority and low-income communities.
CONCLUSION
Based upon my professional judgment there are truly many
significant environmental and occupational health hazards that need to
be addressed. I feel strongly though, that there is no need to instill
fear in the public. In the alternative, we can alleviate fear through
proper education and full informational disclosure. Residents need to
be fully informed of what environmental and health hazards they may
face in returning to previously flooded areas, and then be advised of
proper precautions to take in order to protect their health and safety.
EPA should expand its sampling and monitoring of impacted areas, and
make that information fully available to the public with
recommendations on steps residents can take to protect themselves. To
date, my assessment is that EPA's sampling work is inadequate to fully
inform the public on what risks exists. Finally, I fully oppose any
waivers of the key environmental and public health laws that are
designed to protect our communities. Families already injured by the
hurricanes should not be placed in further jeopardy by proposals to
waive or weaken the laws that guarantee them clean water, healthy air,
and safe communities. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you
today.
__________
Statement of William H. Hines, Past Chairman and Board Member, Greater
New Orleans, Inc.; Cochairman, Economic Development Committee, Mayor's
Bring New Orleans Back Commission
INTRODUCTION
My name is William H. Hines, Chairman of the Executive Committee of
the law firm of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere and
Denegre, L.L.P., and immediate past Chairman and continuing member of
the board of Greater New Orleans, Inc., a public/private partnership
that spearheads economic development initiatives for the ten-parish
Greater New Orleans region. Additionally, at the request of Mayor Ray
Nagin, I serve as the cochairman of the Economic Development Committee
for Mayor's Bring New Orleans Back Commission. I am grateful for the
opportunity to appear before you today to discuss response and recovery
efforts affecting the future of New Orleans.
It cannot be stated often enough. Hurricane Katrina was like no
other hurricane before it--the cataclysmic storm caused unprecedented
destruction and long-term interruption to governmental services and
economic activity. Never in the history of this Nation has a three-
state area been hit so hard nor has an entire major U.S. metropolitan
city been evacuated for weeks on end.
And while Katrina occurred over two months ago and seems to be
largely fading from the front pages of our Nation's newspapers, the
lives of the citizens of the greater New Orleans area have not returned
to ``normal''. Many businesses in the region are generating little or
no revenue, and are struggling to meet payroll, rent and vendor payment
obligations. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan approvals are
moving at a snail's pace. As of early October in Louisiana alone, more
than 230,000 unemployment claims had been filed . . . 16 times the
normal volume. One additional but illustrative example of how life in
the New Orleans region has not returned to normal concerns the U.S.
Postal Service. Most regional businesses are still missing over a month
of their mail. Without receipt of payment checks, vouchers, bills and
other important and time-sensitive business documents, commerce within
the region is significantly hampered. This backlog must be eliminated,
and it represents but one area where federal assistance can help the
regional business community.
On behalf of the citizens of New Orleans and the regional business
community, I wish to highlight the regional economic activity that must
be restored in the wake of Katrina.
PRIORITY #1--RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF LEVEE SYSTEM
At the outset, I can assure you that the number one priority for
the New Orleans business community is to obtain the firm assurance of
the federal government and this Congress that adequate levee protection
will be provided for the New Orleans region. Though you have asked that
we keep comments concerning the Army Corps of Engineers to a minimum, I
cannot leave this committee today without highlighting this critical
need for the business community.
We are extremely pleased with the assurances and actions to date
provided by the Corps of Engineers that the levee system will be
rebuilt no later than June 2006 to withstand Category 3 storms.
However, the business community also needs assurance that the federal
government will work as quickly as possible, with near-teini timelines,
to strengthen the critical levee system to withstand Category 5 storms.
With this assurance, businesses both large and small will be provided
with the comfort they need to invest and otherwise engage in business
restoration efforts. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully request that your
committee and this Congress immediately provide the required statutory
authorization and federal funding for Category 5 levee protection. The
greater New Orleans business community looks forward to working closely
with you in that vitally important effort.
IMPORTANCE OF MARITIME INDUSTRY TO REGION
The very founding of the City of New Orleans was based upon the
distinct and inherent advantages it provided, and continues to provide,
as a port city for the Nation's maritime and trade industries. The Port
of New Orleans serves as one of the Nation's key intermodal gateways
for domestic and international trade. The geographic proximity of the
Port to the Gulf of Mexico and the mouth of the Mississippi River makes
it the ideal and central location for the inbound and outbound shipment
of cargo. As a result, more than 6000 oceangoing vessels call on the
Port annually. As a key transportation focal point on the Mississippi
River, the Port of New Orleans serves as the primary hub for the
shipment of cargo on the Nation's inland waterways system. Given the
regional access to major road systems, including Interstates I-10, 1-55
and I-59, the Port is perfectly situated to facilitate the highway
transport of goods flowing through the New Orleans port region.
Finally, the Port of New Orleans is the only port in the world with
immediate rail access by six major national railroads, namely Union
Pacific, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk
Southern, Canadian National, and CSX.
Hurricane Katrina completely shut down the Port of New Orleans.
That total closure of the Port not only affected the economy of
Southeast Louisiana, but also the entire Nation. In 2004 alone, more
than 380,000 jobs in the United States were dependent on the cargo
activity at the Port.
The Port is continuing to restore terminal and other services, and
is now operating at approximately 40 percent of its pre-Katrina
capacity. The Port of New Orleans is still struggling with a limited
workforce and the ability to move the cargo in and out of the Port.
Damaged terminal, warehouse and other Port facilities, and highways and
rail tracks need to be repaired and/or replaced. The recovery of the
Port of New Orleans, along with other city functions and businesses, is
tied to the problems of restoring the entire city. Without adequate
infrastructure for longer term housing and family needs, workers will
not be able to return.
But full restoration of Port services must be a given. With federal
funding and other assistance, especially from the Army Corps of
Engineers and the U.S. Department of Transportation, quickly restoring
the Port and other ports in Southeast Louisiana to full operation will
help return economic vibrancy to the area.
TOURISM IS A KEY ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE REGION
Mardi Gras. New Orleans Jazz Fest. Sugar Bowl. Annual business and
other conventions. As reported by the New Orleans Metropolitan
Convention and Visitors Bureau, these internationally-renowned events
and activities, and the culinary, artistic, musical, and many, many
other attributes of New Orleans, created a tourism industry within the
region that supported more than 2500 companies with direct employment
of approximately 81,000 people. Through that industry, direct visitor
spending within the region was estimated at more than $5 billion
annually. Restoration of that industry is vitally important not only to
the New Orleans region but also to the fabric of our Nation as a whole.
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz. And as one Congressman
recently observed, ``New Orleans taught the country how to eat well.''
New Orleans is a key part of the cultural and historical heritage of
our country, and that heritage is largely responsible for the vibrant
tourism industry enjoyed by the region. With federal funding support
for the repair of damaged airport, highway, and other transportation
services, with full restoration of other basic government services such
as police and fire protection and utilities, and with other federal,
state and local support, the tourism industry will return to the
region. We must all work to ensure that it does return in order to
provide additional economic development opportunities for businesses
and citizens of the region.
OTHER ECONOMIC INITIATIVES OF IMPORTANCE TO THE NEW ORLEANS REGION
The New Orleans region was working hard, with great success, in
attracting other business and industry sectors to provide a more
diversified economic base for the area. Though those efforts were
interrupted by Katrina, in the aftermath of that storm, the business
leadership of the community is even more committed to luring other
business and industries to the region.
Biomedical/Medical.--In New Orleans, 22 biotechnology firms had
established businesses within the region, and more than 24,000
employees worked in the high-paying jobs within the New Orleans medical
sector. Through Louisiana state investments in cancer research and gene
therapy consortiums among Tulane University, Louisiana State
University, and Xavier University, and in the state-of-the-art
BioInnovation Center Wet Lab Incubator and other biomedical facilities,
the New Orleans region was rapidly becoming a true biomedical research
center on the Gulf Coast. Government and business leaders in the region
want to continue these efforts to preserve and enhance these scientific
and medical activities and the economic benefits that they provide.
Oil and Gas, Chemical, Manufacturing and Other Industries.--The
Southeast Louisiana region is well-known as a center for the oil and
gas and petrochemical industries. South Louisiana produces over a third
of the Nation's domestic chemicals. Additionally, a third of the
country's daily domestic oil and natural gas supply originates from the
same region. New Orleans is fortunate to have major defense contractor
manufacturing facilities within the region, including Northrop Grumman
Ship Systems Avondale, Lockheed Martin, Textron, and Bollinger
Shipyards, which employ collectively over 13,000 workers. The National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Michoud Assembly Facility
manufacturers external fuel tanks for the space shuttle vehicles and
certain parts for the Joint Strike Fighter. The largest coffee roasting
plant in the world, operated by Folgers Coffee, is located within the
New Orleans region. We must work to ensure that these industries remain
to preserve economic and job opportunities for South Louisiana
citizens. Additionally, and applying a concept that has worked well
with the coffee industry, GNO, Inc. is working to expand local
manufacturing job opportunities by encouraging appropriate businesses
to locate factories and similar facilities near the Port of New
Orleans, the source of imported materials such as steel, rubber, and
plywood that would be used in their manufacturing operations.
Information Technology.--Because of a number of Federal programs in
the greater New Orleans region which employ several thousand people,
the region has become a center of excellence for ``back office''
technologies as evidenced by the information technology work at the
National Finance Center, the largest payroll center in the Nation, and
the SPAWAR Systems Center, home to the Defense Integrated Military
Human Resources System (DIMHRS). Additionally, strong public/private
partnerships in unique research and technology activity provide strong
economic and employment benefits through the University of New Orleans
(UNO) Research and Technology Park, the UNO/Northrop Grumman Maritime
Technology Center of Excellence, the Bioinformatics Center at
Children's Hospital, and the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative.
These activities are extremely valuable to the economic well-being of
the region, and we continue to work closely with Federal, State, and
local officials and private entities to ensure the preservation of
these businesses within the greater New Orleans area.
CONCLUSION
Bold recovery and other incentives are required to preserve
business and economic opportunity in New Orleans and other affected
Gulf Coast areas. Simply put, businesses will not return to the region
unless the Administration and the Congress initiate strong, clear,
definitive actions for regional recovery.
As the cochairman of the Economic Development Committee for the
Mayor's Bring New Orleans Back Commission, I am extremely dedicated to
the task of working to obtain necessary assurances and incentives to
restore the economic and business health of the greater New Orleans
region. We are working closely with the entire Louisiana Congressional
delegation, the Governor of Louisiana, and other Federal, State and
local officials on government funding and other initiatives for the
business community. It is clear that no recovery will happen without
the support of the Congress to repair and enhance the New Orleans levee
system and other public facilities and structures, provide appropriate
federal funding assistance for recovery efforts, and enact significant
and effective business tax relief and incentives to restore New Orleans
to its place as one of the primary business, cultural, and historical
centers of our Nation.
Mr. Chairman, I thank you again for the opportunity to address your
committee today. I look forward to working with you and your fellow
committee members on the economic and business recovery of the greater
New Orleans region.
__________
Statement of Miriam Aschkenasy, MD., MPH, Oxfam America, Environmental
Public Health Specialist, Harvard Humanitarian Institute
Mr. Chairman, Senator Jeffords, and members of the committee, thank
you for the opportunity for Oxfam America to submit written testimony
for the record. We appreciate your interest in gathering a variety of
perspectives on the important issues of how the federal government is
responding in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We will be
focusing specifically on the role of the federal government in
protecting public health and safety in Louisiana.
Oxfam America is an international development and relief agency
committed to developing lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and
social injustice. We are part of a confederation of twelve Oxfam
organizations working together in more than 100 countries, and, for
decades, we have conducted relief operations in Africa, Asia, and Latin
America where governments do not have the resources to respond
adequately to emergencies. In the United States, we support economic
and community development in marginalized areas and have been working
with local organizations in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama for
over a decade.
In Katrina's immediate aftermath we did not anticipate that our
expertise and resources in emergency relief would be needed. People in
the United States are fortunate to have numerous government
organizations--from local fire and police departments to the National
Guard and all the way up to the Federal Emergency Management Agency--
that are well-equipped and ready to respond to emergencies. But as the
scope of this disaster grew and the disaster response institutions
failed on a massive scale, it became clear that there were substantial
gaps that needed to be filled. Oxfam America launched, for the first
time in its 35-year history, a relief effort within the United States,
focusing on Louisiana and Mississippi. As in all other emergencies, our
efforts are focused on assisting the poorest and most vulnerable
communities.
In the United States, as elsewhere around the world, those living
in poverty are the most vulnerable during disasters and are often also
the last to get help. Oxfam's role is to help affected communities to
identify their most urgent needs, to identify what kinds of assistance
are available for them, and to ensure their interests are represented
at the local, State, and national levels when decisions are made that
effect their future. Crucial among these decisions is deciding how
people will be warned about, and protected from, environmental
contamination as they return to live and work in these affected
communities.
Just as institutions charged with protecting their safety failed
the people of Louisiana and Mississippi in the hurricanes' immediate
aftermath, so is it possible that government and State agencies could
again be failing to protect residents as they try to rebuild their
lives. Failure to address continuing threats to public health from
environmental contamination and mold--threats that are present in
neighborhoods and inside homes--could have deadly consequences in both
the short and long term.
THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
During the past months, we at Oxfam have been working closely with
local community 'organizations in Mississippi and Louisiana, including
the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) and the Southern
Mutual Help Association (SMHA). Our first priority was to support
immediate relief efforts, later transitioning into the equally critical
work of helping protect communities from threats to their health and
safety.
As a public health specialist for Oxfam and Harvard Humanitarian
Institute, I have had several opportunities to tour the hurricane-
stricken parishes of Louisiana in the company of our local partners. I
have witnessed the total destruction of homes, towns, livelihoods, and
communities. I viewed these areas through the professional lens of
being an environmental public health specialist and a physician. But I
also went to Louisiana as a human being. I was invited into destroyed
and ravaged homes, speaking with families returning to live in their
homes, while consoling others who had simply come to collect what
little remained and to leave. I talked with city councilors and mayors
and worked alongside local community organizations. I am privileged to
share with you what I have learned and what concerns me from both an
environmental public health perspective and a human one.
The Louisiana coast is accustomed to hurricanes, but the magnitude,
overall destruction, and complexity of Hurricane Katrina make it
unique. Amid the destruction of homes, business and infrastructure, the
environmental contamination was extensive. Damage to large industrial
companies in the impacted areas has led to a breach of storage
containers and release of industrial chemicals into the surrounding
soil and sludge. According to the Coast Guard, Katrina ``unleashed at
least 40 oil spills--10 of which are major--from ruptured pipelines and
battered oil-storage facilities. In total, at least 193,000 barrels of
oil and other petrochemicals were blown or driven by tides across the
fragile marshy ecosystems and populated areas of the Plaquemines and
St. Bernard parishes, southeast of New Orleans'' (Wall Street Journal,
9/23/2005).
Despite this destruction, people are determined to return to their
homes and communities. Some are returning to collect what is
salvageable from their belongings and leaving; others are returning to
try to repair, rebuild, and start again. When they do return, they will
be exposing themselves to environmental contaminants, and, as families
and communities, they will have to struggle with long-term
environmental and public health impacts.
People who return to their homes--and those who are working to
rebuild the region--are exposing themselves to serious health hazards.
The sludge, silt, soil, air and water have been contaminated.
Currently, we can only speculate as to some of the short and long-term
effects that may affect a returning community based on prior exposure
data. In the short term, these may include: rashes, headaches, nausea,
vomiting, heat-related illness, respiratory-related illnesses, wound
infections, exacerbation of chronic illness, and spontaneous abortion.
In the long term, we may see decreased fertility rates, increased
cancer rates, increased spontaneous abortion rates, increased fetal
malformations or birth defects, as well as unknown long-term effects.
Other risks include:
<bullet> injury from debris, including structural instability, risk
of lacerations and skin infections,
<bullet> asthma, allergies and other lung problems from burning of
debris, from aerosolization of dried sludge, from dust from the
deconstruction of damaged buildings,
<bullet> infection from a lack of proper cleaning facilities, skin
exposure, exposure to sewage,
<bullet> unknown risks from remaining sludge that contains
industrial byproducts and sewage,
<bullet> exposure to extensive amounts of mold that not only
present a health hazard but also can create structural damage,
<bullet> possible carbon monoxide poisoning for those using
makeshift heating sources.
Further, people are exposed to these risks in a context where
medical facilities are damaged or nonexistent; health care personnel,
in many cases, have been evacuated; resources and supplies are thin to
nonexistent; and many areas continue to have no running water,
electricity, or sewage facilities.
Let me be clear: These problems are in no way limited to New
Orleans. An overwhelming number of towns and communities have been
affected, and this has stretched the response and relief system to its
limit. Many smaller towns with fewer people are still having difficulty
accessing local responders and are experiencing continuing delays in
receiving basic relief requirements. There needs to be clearer
assessments performed of the health needs of people who have returned
to hurricane-affected communities--we are suffering from a severe
shortage of standard public health data.
As people return to the area, they are ill-equipped both in terms
of information and in terms of protections. People are making decisions
about going home without clear information and guidance about the risks
associated with return. There is little information regarding what they
should be concerned about, what signs and symptoms to watch for, when
to leave the area and seek medical attention, and where they can find
it.
For those who do return, they are not receiving proper instructions
on how to clean up as safely as possible. Further, there is a paucity
of proper cleaning supplies that limit exposure to possible
contaminants, such as industrial gloves, masks, and goggles. In many
areas, these items are not available, and many families do not have the
money to purchase them even if they can find these materials that are
in short supply.
To recount just one example, I met one man and his family who were
cleaning debris and mold from their home. They were intent on moving
back to their community in the southern parishes. The family let me
into their house only after they were convinced that I was not there to
condemn it. The house had several stories, and the entire bottom floor
had been covered with 6 inches of sludge. This man and his family had
already cleaned up two-thirds of the bottom floor, and he had been
sleeping on a cot in the bottom floor living room for several days. The
back room still had areas with 6 inches of sludge on the floor.
In another back room, they had pulled up the carpet and on the wall
you could see the water line. Above the water line, a 12-inch band of
black mold was growing on the wall. This man had been doing cleanup in
a pair of sneaker and jeans, wearing no shirt, gloves, eye protection,
or boots. His daughter-in-law was wearing rain boots, shorts, a t-
shirt, and no gloves. His son had already developed a skin infection
and was no longer helping with the cleanup. I spoke with the man
specifically about the hazards he was facing, including toxins,
bacteria and risk of injury from debris.
He said he knew about these risks, but stated he had received all
his vaccinations and was going to be OK. I encouraged him to use
protective gear when cleaning, and he again assured me that this was
not his first hurricane. He claimed he knew what to do and would be
fine, but he did ask me if we had any gloves to give him.
In Louisiana, you hear these stories again and again. After I
testified before the State Health and Welfare Committee, several
legislators came up to me and said, ``I got sick.'' One woman said she
got a rash and hives from her house, and her friend was sick with a
fever and a lung infection. Another legislator said he and his wife
went back to clean up, and she became so sick with headaches and nausea
that he sent her back to her family.
Families have lost their homes, their possessions, important
documents, the sense of security and the literal roof above their
heads. These factors, coupled with the environmental health hazards,
the lack of services, and the loss of community make public health
interventions key in restoring the southern parishes to even the most
basic level of function. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will lead to a
cumulative impact of multiple stressors that will inevitably negatively
affect the public health of these already hard-hit communities. A
combination of short-, medium- and long-term support and services must
be provided to help these communities survive.
We understand that families may want to return to their home
regardless of the risks. These are where they raise their kids, have
their friends, and live their lives. It is imperative, though, that
they have a full understanding of the hazards they are going to face,
have support to help mitigate those hazards, and try to stay as safe as
possible. To fail to provide these first lines of defense against
further injury, illness, and death would be to facilitate the onset of
yet another emergency.
OXFAM'S WORK TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH IN LOUISIANA
Working with our local partners, Oxfam has been monitoring the
public health situation in Louisiana and working to help educate and
protect returnees. Oxfam partnered with LEAN and SMHA to distribute
``Re-entry Protection Kits'' which contain items such as bleach, dust
masks, gloves, boot covers, biohazard bags, goggles, and protective
covering. SMHA, LEAN and Oxfam distributed 100 kits in Erath and Jean
Lafitte. The EPA has since contacted LEAN to commend them on their
work. Oxfam has also put together a Public Service Announcement with
LEAN. The thirty-second spot will be airing in southern Louisiana,
warning returnees of the public health risks of returning home and
offering advice on how to protect themselves.
As mentioned above, we provided testimony before State legislators
on similar issues to those presented here. At a news conference held at
the Erath distribution, we joined our partners in calling for more
federal action on the public health front. This call was echoed by
Louisiana State Representative Sydnie Mae Durand at the news
conference.
On November 12, LEAN will be hosting a key conference, ``Rebuilding
Louisiana,'' which will call attention to the environmental hazards
that pose public health risks to people returning to their homes. LEAN
and other Oxfam partners have been filling crucial information and
protection gaps left by the Federal and State Government, but these
activities need to be expanded to reach all the affected communities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We urge the Environmental Protection Agency to take the following
important steps to inform returnees of the health and safety risks they
face and to help them to mitigate those risks:
(1) Encourage evacuees not to return home if communities are not
safe. If possible, evacuees should wait until services such as water,
sewer, electricity, medical/911 services, and phones are functioning
before returning to their homes. Children, the elderly, pregnant women,
and people with certain medical conditions are particularly at risk and
should stay away if at all possible.
(2) Provide information and instruction using clear,
straightforward language. The EPA and Department of Environmental
Quality must distribute educational materials, making sure they are
practical, with little or no technical jargon. Recommendations must be
clear and concise to avoid ambiguity.
(3) Provide clean up and recovery kits. These kits serve two
important purposes: First, they provide families with essential self-
protection tools they may not otherwise have; and second, they educate
families about what dangers to watch out for and how to take
precautionary measures.
(4) Ensure that rural communities also have access to information
and precautionary measures. With the spotlight on New Orleans, the
southern rural parishes devastated by the hurricanes and flooding have
been neglected, and this must not continue.
(5) Conduct extensive testing for contamination. Continued testing
is imperative to determine which chemicals and pollutants are now in
the surrounding environment, at what levels they remain, and what
potential dangers they pose to those who will have long-term exposure.
(6) Continue injury and health surveillance. Families returning to
affected areas are going to be exposed to health hazards. Monitoring of
their health will help determine how dangerous these areas are and what
the long-term health needs of the community may be. Agencies must
continue in the long term to monitor the physical and mental health of
these communities, including evaluating the environmental surveillance
data by the DEQ and rates of disease and illness.
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