[StBernard] Landrieu Blasts Corps Commander Over Pumps

Westley Annis westley at da-parish.com
Fri Mar 16 20:28:56 EDT 2007


Landrieu Blasts Corps Commander Over Pumps
TheNewOrleansChannel.com
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu tried to make the most of the few
minutes she had to address the Army Corps' commanding general, blasting what
she called a bad budget and a bad decision to spend millions to install
pumps that were faulty coming out of the factory. Lt. Gen. Carl Strock said
the 60-inch diameter pumps were too big to property test in a factory,
forcing the Corps to fix them in the field.

"We experienced significant vibrations in the pumps. We know why that
occurred. We're making fixes to that, so, sir, this is not unexpected. The
process of certification and testing of the pumps that's normally done in
the factory had to occur in the field in this case," Strock said.

"Three of the other pumps suffered catastrophic failure," Landrieu said. "I
am calling for a full investigation into how these pumps were purchased, how
they were installed, why they don't work."

Landrieu also cited a 72-page memo written by a Corps engineer, Maria
Garzino, that stated, in part, that the pumps "are not capable of fulfilling
their function as intended by the original contract requirements, are
defective and will experience failure should they be asked to run under
normal use, as would be required in the event of a hurricane."

The Florida company hired to build the pump fired back with its own
statement, saying that "the allegations in the memo were all dismissed by
other inspectors on site and also by three additional inspectors and five
separate independent consultants."

Landrieu also blasted the Corps yearly budget, which only includes $1.5
billion in new construction for the entire country.

"I don't know how many people have to die. I don't know how many homes have
to be lost," she said.

The Corps does not determine its own budget -- the president makes that
request. Landrieu asked that a member of the administration appear before
the Senate Appropriations Committee over what she called "a dangerous
budget."

Strock is stepping down as the Army Corps commander. President George W.
Bush will name his replacement, who then must by approved by Congress.

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URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17636046/




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