Guy, my anger is not misdirected. In fact, EPA and the Corps have absolutely nothing to do with coastal developments, other than storm damage protection. And, EPA is not involved at all. And, I do agree that the Corps' mission is property protection, which is very much exclusive of environmental protection. But, we're working on them. Wearing them down, hopefully.
The federal flood insurance program does have lots and lots to do with coastal development. Were it not for the insurance policies offered to coastal development owners, then rebuilding would likely be reduced to very little, as it becomes too expensive to continually repair and rebuild storm after storm after storm. It's a travesty. I've actually heard people say that a "storm was the best thing that happened to them, because it gave them the dollars to remodel." Pretty stinkin' arrogant. I am also convinced that the ability to obtain relatively cheap federal flood insurance has caused coastal property values to skyrocket. People complain that if the insurance policies were removed, then their housing values would plummet. I think that the false inflation of values would plummet right down to what the properties are actually worth.
My anger is not misdirected. However, I would include to my anger targets stupid local politicians, planning boards, building departments, variance boards, and town supervisors. And, of course, property owners, themselves. But hey, if the government is gonna partake in a federal give-away, why not take? The roots of the problem is the governments, for sure.
Thanks for your comments.
