This action by the Corp of Engineers did not only saved Cairo, IL…it has help to relieve the flooding in Western KY, saving Smithland, Ledbetter and parts of Paducah KY, it has also help the flood levels at Metropolis, IL. At this time the crest levels in those areas while still historic have been lowered and countless homes & businesses saved. So please take that into consideration, it saved more the one small town.
the alleged reduction in flooding downstream is up for debate; it does seem backwards to destroy over 100,000 acres of productive farmland (and yes, family businesses with that) to protect a town of 2800. Missouri Farmers are likely to lose over $300 million as a result; this farmland will not be something that just gets recovered when the waters go down…the sand/silt will render the land unusable for years to come. So, $300 millions lost to MO farmers to protect a town of 2800…that works out to $107k per resident of Cairo, ILL. Wow, this does sound like an Obama job’s program afterall…
This action by the Corp of Engineers did not only saved Cairo, IL…it has help to relieve the flooding in Western KY, saving Smithland, Ledbetter and parts of Paducah KY, it has also help the flood levels at Metropolis, IL. At this time the crest levels in those areas while still historic have been lowered and countless homes & businesses saved. So please take that into consideration, it saved more the one small town.
the alleged reduction in flooding downstream is up for debate; it does seem backwards to destroy over 100,000 acres of productive farmland (and yes, family businesses with that) to protect a town of 2800. Missouri Farmers are likely to lose over $300 million as a result; this farmland will not be something that just gets recovered when the waters go down…the sand/silt will render the land unusable for years to come. So, $300 millions lost to MO farmers to protect a town of 2800…that works out to $107k per resident of Cairo, ILL. Wow, this does sound like an Obama job’s program afterall…