The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is halting over $11 billion in lower-priority projects, including infrastructure in New York and the Cape Cod Bridges Program in Massachusetts, due to the government shutdown. The White House Office of Management and Budget director indicated these projects are also being considered for potential cancellation. The Corps cited an inability to oversee all projects, while an OMB spokesperson revealed impacted projects include $7 billion in New York water and wastewater infrastructure and $600 million for the Massachusetts bridge program. The pause also extends to projects in several other states.
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The US Army Corps of Engineers altered the outflow of Caesar Creek Lake to accommodate a boating excursion for Vice President Vance’s security detail. This action was taken at the request of the US Secret Service, according to a statement from the USACE, who cited support for “safe navigation.” Data from the US Geological Survey shows a sudden increase in the river level and corresponding drop in lake elevation during the early August days when Vance was vacationing on the Little Miami River. While the USACE maintains the operation met necessary criteria, the move raises questions about potentially exploiting public resources for personal recreation and whether it was appropriate for the Vice President. Ethical experts have criticized the move as hypocritical.
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The Trump administration’s Army Corps work plans reveal a redirection of over $250 million from infrastructure projects in Democratic-leaning states, notably eliminating all funding for California, to Republican-led states. This prioritization, condemned by Representatives DeLauro and Kaptur, risks delaying crucial safety projects nationwide and represents a politicization of critical infrastructure investments. The move follows a Republican-backed budget cut of $1.4 billion (44%) to the Corps of Engineers, granting the administration full discretion over project allocation, a power previously held by Congress. This action undermines Congress’s intent and harms all Americans regardless of political affiliation.
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Trump’s 2.2 billion-gallon dump from California reservoirs was a disastrous decision, and the more we learn, the worse it seems. Initial reports suggested a reckless disregard for water conservation, a potential photo opportunity overshadowing the urgent need for water resources. Now, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this wasn’t just incompetence, but a deliberate act with potentially devastating long-term consequences.
The emerging picture paints a troubling scene. Internal memos reportedly revealed that Army Corps officials knew the dam releases wouldn’t alleviate the California wildfires, yet they proceeded with the order anyway. This raises serious questions about accountability and the prioritization of political maneuvering over sound water management.… Continue reading
The US Army Corps of Engineers released approximately 2.2 billion gallons of water from two Central California reservoirs at President Trump’s order, purportedly to aid fire-ravaged Southern California. This action, however, is criticized for its lack of coordination with state and local water managers and its wasteful timing during a wet winter, jeopardizing agricultural water supplies later in the year. The released water did not reach Los Angeles, as it flowed into the Tulare Lake bed, offering limited irrigation benefits and potentially causing future water shortages for Central Valley farmers. Experts and state officials express deep concern over this poorly planned release.
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers significantly increased water releases from Terminus and Schafer Dams in Tulare County, California, a move spurred by an executive order seemingly linked to President Trump’s pronouncements. These releases, totaling billions of gallons, were made without typical coordination with state and local officials, causing concern among water managers and farmers who rely on these reservoirs for irrigation. The timing, during winter with low demand and minimal snowpack, and lack of a clear water transportation plan, have drawn sharp criticism and questions regarding the decision-making process and potential negative impacts on agriculture and communities. State officials have emphasized the lack of consultation and the current absence of a need for the released water.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood