[uncitizen]

These groups wanted to go into N.O. and assess what needed to be done to improve the levees to at least withstand a LEVEL 4 OR 5 hurricane. This serious request and supporting information was deemed highly necessary to protect N.O. and was presented in full to the President of the United States for approval of this critical project. THE REQUEST WAS DENIED BY WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON.

Somehow i think this won't be mentioned at the oncoming Congressional Hearings that are no doubt being planned as we speak.

[StarSpangled]

Do you have a source for the denial by the Klintoon administration? I'm putting together a timeline for the NO levee, and I could use that. Thanks.

[Howlin]

Do you think this will be either?

First, from Governor Blanco's press conference today:



I want to introduce you to James Lee Witt. Mr. Witt ran the Federal Emergency Management Agency for eight years from 1993 to 2001. He has more than 25 years of disaster management experience.
I have asked Mr. Witt to advise and assist me and Gen. Landreneau on the recovery effort.

As FEMA director, Mr. Witt turned was credited with turning that agency around. His leadership is proven, his experience is extensive and he is an asset to this recovery effort.



Now that sounds great, doesn't it?



Unless you do a search and find this:



IEM Team to Develop Catastrophic Hurricane Disaster Plan for New Orleans & Southeast Louisiana
June 3, 2004

IEM, Inc., the Baton Rouge-based emergency management and homeland security consultant, will lead the development of a catastrophic hurricane disaster plan for Southeast Louisiana and the City of New Orleans under a more than half a million dollar contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In making the announcement today on behalf of teaming partners Dewberry, URS Corporation and James Lee Witt Associates, IEM Director of Homeland Security Wayne Thomas explained that the development of a base catastrophic hurricane disaster plan has urgency due to the recent start of the annual hurricane season which runs through November. National weather experts are predicting an above normal Atlantic hurricane season with six to eight hurricanes, of which three could be categorized as major.

[1rudeboy]

My guess is that the pwerson who denied the request during the Clinton Administration will end up sitting on the committee.