(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today sent a letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General Robert Van Antwerp criticizing the Corps for misusing federal money directed by Vitter for local work on levees.  Much of that dedicated levee funding was instead used on a study in conjunction with Southern University.

         “I was shocked to learn from local and parish officials that the $30 million in federal funding that I secured for repairs, modifications and improvements to non-federal levees in Terrebonne Parish was spent by the Corps on a study in conjunction with one of our universities in order to build a mentoring relationship,” said Vitter.  “The Corps’ actions were highly irresponsible, and the bottom line is that this flooding should’ve never happened.”

         In June 2006, Vitter secured $30 million in federal funding for non-federal levee improvements in Terrebonne Parish as part of that year’s Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill.  In his letter, Vitter reiterated that state, local and parish officials already had concrete plans in place to begin construction upon receipt of this funding. 

         “Have the people of Louisiana not suffered enough at the hands of detached bureaucrats and red-tape experts?  Without a doubt, I believe that the Corps’ failings on this matter directly contributed to Terrebonne Parish’s flooding,” added Vitter. “I will be meeting with General Van Antwerp and Corps leadership Wednesday to get answers to two questions: Why was the $30 million not used for its expressed purpose, and what is the Corps’ plan to transfer the full $30 million to the state and parish flood control officials?”