VIDEO: Ernst Gets Updates from Army Corps on Southwest Iowa Levee Repairs in Response to Her Field Hearing Last Month

WASHINGTON – At an oversight hearing on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps), U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) questioned Corps officials on the recovery effort and their river management policies in the wake of the March flooding in Southwest Iowa, specifically with regard to repairing and rebuilding the levees that were compromised.

One of the witnesses, Major General Scott Spellmon of the Corps, provided Senator Ernst with an update from his previous testimony from a field hearing Senator Ernst hosted and chaired last month in Glenwood, Iowa.

Senator Ernst questions officials from the Corps at a Senate EPW oversight hearing.

Other witnesses at yesterday’s Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing included Army Civil Works Assistant Secretary, R.D. James, and Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board Chairman, Kyle R. “Chip” Kline, Jr., among others.

Last week, Senator Ernst sent a letter to the Corps describing the feedback and concerns she has heard from stakeholders about the Corps’ communications shortcomings during and after the floods. The letter specifically describes issues with communications between the Corps and local levee sponsors and those in harm’s way and urges the Corps to immediately address the problems.

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