In this column in the Spring 2008 newsletter, I mentioned that recent rains and the melt from heavy snow were causing serious flooding on some rivers in the Midwest. Well, as you know, this situation has gotten much worse in my home state of Iowa. From deadly tornadoes in the western part of the state to record breaking flood levels in the central and eastern parts, extreme weather events here and abroad are getting everyone’s attention. The COPRI Governing Board joins the ASCE leadership in offering our sympathies to the victims of these natural disasters and in encouraging our members to contribute to relief efforts of the American Red Cross, which has a partnership with ASCE. ASCE will match all member contributions for Midwest Flood Relief dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000; see www.asce.org for more details.
A recent assessment by the U.S. Climate Change Program warns that extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent as a result of global climate change. COPRI takes these warnings seriously and is committed to improving the knowledge, education, development, and practice of civil engineering and other disciplines in addressing the challenges facing coastal and riverine communities. In this regard, I want to commend Louise Wallendorf and her committee for organizing the successful Solutions to Coastal Disasters Conference in April in Hawaii (see related article for more details).
As the conference illustrated, solutions to coastal disasters involve research, assessment, planning, and, especially, communication. Following the conference, the planning committee launched a Coastal Disasters News Page on the COPRI website to provide a forum for communication and collaboration among attendees. On the page, you will find information from the recent conference, news about the aftermath of the Myanmar Cyclone and other updates from your colleagues. I hope you will visit the Coastal Disasters News Page and contribute to this vibrant COPRI community.
Following Hurricane Katrina and the Asian Tsunami, COPRI dispatched teams of engineers to assess the damage caused by these events so coastal professionals could benefit from the lessons learned. The COPRI Governing Board sought to send a similar team to Myanmar following Cyclone Nargis, which struck that country on May 2, 2008. Unfortunately, the military government there has refused to allow many outsiders into the country, and even fewer into the hardest hit areas of the Irrawaddy Delta. COPRI member and Yokohama National University Professor Tomoya Shibayama informed the COPRI Governing Board that he led a team from the Japanese Society of Civil Engineers to Yangon and was able to assess the storm surge on the Yangon River as being between 3 to 4 meters. We appreciate Professor Shibayama for keeping us informed of his efforts.
The numerous levee failures resulting from this year’s Midwest flooding remind us that the nation’s infrastructure is in serious need of reinvestment. ASCE’s Infrastructure Report Card has been prominent in the nation’s burgeoning discussion of infrastructure, as have ASCE leaders. ASCE President David Mongan and Executive Director Pat Natale have made the case for increased investment in the nation’s infrastructure on a variety of television and radio shows. In anticipation of a new Administration and Congress taking the reigns of government next year, ASCE is updating its Infrastructure Report Card. I want to thank COPRI Policy Committee Chairman Charlie Calhoun for participating on ASCE’s Infrastructure Advisory Council, which is overseeing the Report update.
Like with Louise Wallendorf, Professor Shibayama and Charlie Calhoun, it is the creativity, dedication and energy of COPRI members that makes the Institute a success. In closing this column, I want to request that each member take one action to advance the mission of COPRI. As I mentioned above, you could make a contribution to the Red Cross Midwest Flood Relief, which will be match by ASCE; you can visit the new Coastal Disasters News Page; or, you can join a COPRI committee, write your members of Congress about the need to reinvest in the nation’s infrastructure; or, if you haven’t done so already, renew your COPRI membership.
As the rain clears and the sun begins to dry the ground here in Iowa, I thank you all for what you have done for COPRI and wish you a safe and enjoyable summer. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you have about the Institute at jblanchar@aol.com.
