To the Corps' credit, it has made some effort to respond to these criticisms about its management practices and its alleged bias towards large construction projects. I hope to learn more fully from General Flowers how his agency plans to institute reforms. I am encouraged by General Flowers' testimony, that he would like to make the changes necessary to ensure the continued integrity of the Civil Works planning process.
I also look forward to discussing with General Flowers some of the Corps activities that are very important to my state.
Actions taken by the Army Corps of Engineers can have an enormous impact in Montana. For example, the Missouri flows into Fort Peck Reservoir in Montana. Every year, throughout the year, we sit and watch water flow out of our state for a multitude of downstream uses. Many of those uses are important to other states, and I appreciate that. However, that water is vital to recreation in our state, to our farmers and ranchers and to our economy.
Our local communities around Fort Peck have a good relationship with the local Corps officers. I think that's great. It's a model of cooperation that should be encouraged in the Corps because, too often, decisions are made in Omaha or in Washington DC that just don't work for Montana. I am interested in discussing with General Flowers how to improve the lines of communication between states like Montana and the Omaha District.
I understand that the President proposes to reduce the Corps' budget considerably. I realize that this could pose some problems for the Corps as far as instituting reforms or prioritizing projects is concerned. I would like to hear General Flowers' thoughts on this issue.
Again, I would like to thank General Flowers for being here and I look forward to discussing with him ways to make the Army Corps of Engineers a more effective, efficient and responsive government agency.