Update on levee

Ed Hecker is with the US Army Corps of Engineers and sent this to the neighborhood association...

* USACE is reviewing existing policy and standards for vegetation
management using a four-step process. During the review, USACE will work in coordination with other federal and non-federal agencies, including regulatory agencies.

* Steps one and two: USACE will conduct the review using current
engineering and science studies and practices. The review will identify recommended modifications to existing nationwide vegetation management policy and standards, which will undergo an external peer review.

* Step three: USACE will then identify the regulations, policies and
manuals and changes necessary to implement any modifications to existing vegetation management. Use of regional variances regarding vegetation management may be considered as long as public safety is not compromised.

* Step four: Policy and standards, and implementation will be
discussed as part of a National Roundtable to be held in early 2008.

* The policy and standards document and the implementation plan are intended to be issued simultaneously.

* USACE vegetation management policy and standards will focus on public safety first and reflect a systems approach applying sound engineering, science, and operations and maintenance principles.

The policy and standards document and the implementation plan are intended to be issued simultaneously shortly after the national roundtable, subject to completion of the External Peer Review process.

Regards,

Ed Hecker