Cooperation key to flood control

The article ``Major Changes in Flood Control Advanced in Key Federal Study,'' July 21, was of special interest to me. I commend the author and could not agree more.

Despite your report, the United States Corps of Engineers and other departments continue to suggest large, expensive projects that perpetuate their own departments. The only flood control they understand in California is to build a concrete flume from the mountains to the sea, instead of respecting valley flood plains and building small diversion and retaining structures in our mountains to save valuable water.

To change the philosophy of water removal will entail changing the way federal, state, county, and city governments do business, not only involving the departments listed, but the fire agencies as well. There is a great deal of animosity between and within some of these agencies. Also, they seem to reject change as a threat and are not willing to work with private owners. Jack Widmeyer, San Bernadino, Calif.

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