[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 10, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S7419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NEW MEXICO FLOOD AND FEMA

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to thank my colleagues for 
acting quickly last summer in sending support to the Los Alamos 
community following the Cerro Grande fires. This swift response, 
coupled with the work of County officials, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers helped control 
another act of mother nature that befell Los Alamos this past week.
  Torrential rainstorms struck the region resulting in substantial 
flooding. In some areas the water swelled 60 feet as 1.75 inches of 
rain fell in less than one hour. Roads flooded and pavement was 
uprooted. Although at least six homes were evacuated, post-fire flood 
mitigation efforts prevented a much greater calamity.
  Federal and local officials recognized a year ago that some of the 
fire damage created infrastructure problems that could lead to future 
flooding. This foresight proved decisive against the rushing 
floodwaters.
  For example, the largest bridge in the town of Los Alamos--which 
spans the Pueblo Canyon--was saved by Congress' action and the efforts 
of the Army Corps of Engineers. Last year, recognizing the potential 
for floods, the Corps extended an 18-inch culvert to 7 feet in record 
time. I visited the culvert site during construction and was very 
impressed with the skill, dedication, and professionalism of the Corps 
of Engineers crew.
  During the recent storms, the water swelled 55 feet and was within 
five feet from the top of the bridge. The bridge withstood the 
pressure, which it could not have done without the culvert. Without 
that culvert, the waters would have flowed over the roadway and 
probably destroyed the road and bridge. It would have cost $15 million 
to replace the bridge.
  More importantly, if the bridge had been destroyed half of the 
community would have been cut off from the laboratories and from all 
paved access to services and hospital facilities. Instead of direct 
access to the town, residents north of the bridge would have been 
rerouted twenty miles on dirt roads that traverse deep canyons.
  Fortunately, Mr. President, this culvert and other mitigation 
measures protected Los Alamos from its second natural disaster in two 
years. This is in large part due to the actions of my colleagues in 
Congress, and for this I extend my utmost gratitude. This assistance 
helped the people of Los Alamos to once again persevere against the 
odds.

                          ____________________