Reprint of an interview with
Maj. Gen. J.W. Morris by the editor of
WATER SPECTRUM ,publ ished
quarterly by the
U S Army Corps of Eng in ee rs.
Maj. Gen. J. W. Morris
(NEPA) of 1969 His tour of duty encompassed that period
In mid-September 1975 Major General J . W. Morris
when the Corps was hardest put to Implement through
relinquished his post as Director of Civil Works to become
action what NEPA requested in mere words. A task easier
Deputy Chief of Engineers. In doing so, he left behind a
talked about than done Wafer Spectrum, therefore, asked
job and a challenge he had enjoyed more than any other
the out-going director to discuss the accomplishments
he had ever held. Since the spring of 1972 General Morris
of the U S Army Corps of Engineers in overcoming some
had been in a position that required him to lead the Corps
of the major environmental problems faced during his
of Engineers in coming to terms with the challenging
3-year tour
provisions of the National Environmental Protection Act
~_____
initiative that unleashed the great potential that exists
Genera/ Morris, what exactly h a s the Corps done under
your direction regarding national issues of environmental
here in dealing with flood control. Among other areas
concern?
in which we have made significant progress, I feel that
the Corps studies and the adjustments we are making in
If I were to rank our efforts in accordance with their
our maintenance program, particularly the dredging por-
relative importance to the environment, I would say the
tion, are important.
policy organizational changes which have been made
from top to bottom are fundamental to all the rest.
Which specific areas of environmental concern would you
These changes were made so that the U.S. Army Corps
say deserve the most attention at this particular time?
of Engineers, in accomplishing its mission, could give
I think our efforts to protect the wetlands must continue
proper and full consideration to the environmental ef-
to get highest priority. We can approach this problem
fects of proposed solutions to the Nation's water prob-
from two directions. not only to protect the wetlands
lems. Few people realize that we have now augmented
we have, but also-which I think is completely reason-
our internal staffing so that decision makers at all levels
able to anticipate-being able to produce wetlands.
have full environmental advice available which can be
Our flood control problems also require a new look.
input into the decision making process.
While I think there are probably going to be continuing
Among our external activities, I would have to put
needs for structures to store excess waters, I would like
the regulatory, or permit, program high on the list of
to see much more attention given to the nonstructural
things the Corps has done in recent years, particularly
solutions as the first option. We are moving that way
where the program controls abuses to the Nation's en-
rapidly. A related area that needs a lot of attention, and
vironmental assets.
provides great opportunities for the future, is a full
We can put nonstructural approaches to solving flood
analysis of flood plains throughout the country. We need
problems near the top of the list, too, since it was Corps
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