STATEMENT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL CARL A. STROCK
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
COMMISSION
BEFORE
THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
UNITED STATES SENATE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2001
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr.
Chairman and Members of the Committee:
I am deeply honored to
appear before you as a nominee for membership on the Mississippi River
Commission. As a soldier, an engineer, and a life-long public servant I am excited
about this opportunity to serve the Nation in this important capacity. Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a brief
statement about the Mississippi River Commission, the Mississippi River and
Tributaries (MR&T) project, and my qualifications for this appointment.
The Mississippi River
Commission, established by Act of Congress on June 28, 1879, consists of seven
members, all of whom are appointed by the President of the United States
subject to confirmation by the Senate. Three members are Corps of Engineers
officers, one of whom serves as president; one member is from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and three members are from the
civilian sector, two of whom must be civil engineers.
From
its inception in 1879, the Commission has been charged with the task of
planning and implementing a program of flood damage reduction projects and
navigation improvements on the Mississippi River. More recently, project
purposes have been expanded to include environmental restoration. This task continues
to be conducted in concert with the myriad of political institutions,
individuals, and public entities which have major interests in seeing that the
water resources needs and opportunities of the Mississippi Valley are
evaluated, planned, designed, constructed, and maintained.
As established in 1879,
the Commissioners were to serve as advisors in p1anning and implementing water
resource projects and programs on the Mississippi River between the Head of
Passes below New Orleans to its headwaters. Since 1928, the Commission has
focused on the Mississippi River and Tributaries project, authorized by the
Flood Control Act of May 15, 1928, to be implemented under oversight of the
Commission. The MR&T project extends genera11y from the confluence of the
Ohio River to the Head of Passes below New Orleans and covers portions of seven
states. It receives water from all or portions of 31 states and part of two
Canadian provinces, or roughly 41 percent of the contiguous United States.
Effective planning, design, construction, and operation of the widespread and
complex MR&T project have been assisted greatly by the Commission's active
consultation with the public, particularly on its semiannual lower Mississippi
River inspection trips, and by the high degree of professionalism that has been
developed in its staff.
A
major flood on 'the lower Mississippi River would have catastrophic effects on the inhabitants of the
Mississippi Valley and the economy of the nation were it not for the protection
provided by the levees and other flood control works along the main stem of the
Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Many have noted that the comprehensive
project on the lower river provided for passage of major floods in 1973, 1983,
1997, and other years without the extensive damage suffered in the upper river
area during the 1993, 1995, and 2001 flood events.
In addition, the
navigation features of the project help to maintain the river for shipping
import and export commodities between inland ports and world markets.
I am well qualified to
serve as a member of the Mississippi River Commission by virtue of my education,
professional qualifications, experience, and commitment to public service. I
hold a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from The Virginia Military
Institute and a Master of Civil Engineering degree from Mississippi State
University. I belong to a number of engineering societies and am a registered
professional engineer in the State of Missouri. I am also a graduate of the
Army's Command and General Staff College and the National War College,
institutions that develop leadership, strategic thinking, and decision making
in a values-based environment.
In addition to my formal
education my 30 years of service in the United States Army have prepared me for
the responsibilities I will assume as a member of the Mississippi River
Commission. Besides extensive service in combat engineer assignments I have
three assignments in the Corps of Engineers and considerable experience in
engineering and construction from the project to the corporate level. From 1980 to 1983 I served in Mobile District
as a Project Engineer multiple projects on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in
Mississippi and Alabama. I also served as Resident Engineer on Columbus Air Force
Base in Mississippi. My service as a senior officer in the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers has provided me with the opportunity to work with leaders and
agencies at the local, state, and national level and with non-governmental
organizations. These relationships coupled with my sound working knowledge of authorities and
legislative processes will enable me to help fashion balanced solutions to
complex problems that best serve the interests of the people and the Nation.
From 1997 to 1999 I
commanded the Pacific Ocean Division in Honolulu, Hawaii. In that capacity I
had responsibility for the construction and maintenance of numerous shallow and
deep draft harbors, navigation channels, coastal protection structures and
flood control ,works -most in environmentally sensitive areas of Alaska and
Hawaii.
From 1999 to 2001 I
commanded the Northwestern Division in Portland, Oregon. The Northwestern
Division covers 14 states and has responsibility for two major drainage basins,
the Columbia
and the Missouri. While my experience in the Northwest contributed dramatically to my understanding of
the economic, engineering, and environmental considerations of major rivers, it
is my experience on the Missouri that will be most valuable to the Commission.
I have a detailed understanding of the Missouri River and its impact on the Mississippi
River. During certain periods of the year the Missouri contributes up to 70
percent of the flow of the Mississippi in the reach between St. Louis and
Cairo. This fact illustrates the value of a Commissioner who has an
understanding of the interaction between these two great rivers. Over the past
two years I served on the Commission as a member-designee. During this time I
participated in four inspection trips and became very familiar with the
Mississippi River and Tributaries project and those works that make the system
so effective in flood damage reduction and navigation. I have worked hard to
develop a true understanding of the interests of the many groups who use and
enjoy the River and depend on the Corps to address their concerns -navigators,
farmers, sportsmen, port operators, levee boards and drainage districts,
environmental interest groups, and others.
If confirmed for this position, Mr. Chairman, I look forward
to playing a key role in enhancing the economic vitality and environmental
quality of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
Mr. Chairman, for your information,
I have attached my complete biography. This completes my prepared statement.
Again, thank you for your consideration. I would be pleased
to respond to any questions.