BUYOUTS MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE IN FLOOD PLAINS

Jerry Uhlmann, director of Missouri's State Emergency Management Agency, says the answer to flooding problems will be found in buyouts, not sandbags. At a meeting of the Cape Girardeau County Commission last week, he said he would like to see less rebuilding and more moving out of flood-prone lowlands. Recent experience with the floods of 1993 and 1995 would seem to bear him out. More and more taxpayers are saying that he is right.

The same logic would seem to apply to the construction of permanent levees. Residents of Dutchtown appeared before the county commission on Monday to discuss possible construction of a levee with commissioners. Federal money is available, from funds already appropriated for flood control, for a feasibility study on whether to construct such a levee. It would be conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Part of any such study would be calculation of a cost-benefit ratio to determine whether that ratio would be positive or negative. If the ratio is negative, the Corps doesn't proceed with levee construction planning. This is what has prevented the town of Commerce from acquiring a levee in recent years.

No opposition is expressed here to conducting a study, but let's be clear when it comes to spending scarce tax dollars. Frankly, it is hard to see how the ratio could turn out positive for the folks in Dutchtown, when comparing the price of a levee to the values of the flooded property. Perhaps this conjecture will be proven wrong by a study, but only about 14 houses and two businesses are involved. The hard facts may just not bear out this expenditure of taxpayers' money. Buyouts would seem the preferred route away from floodwaters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency works with state and local governments on a 75-25 split for funding of the buyouts, purchasing homes at pre-market values if the owners want to sell. If a homeowner decides to sell, the city or county his land is in becomes responsible for its maintenance.

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones stressed that those wanting a buyout of their property should write a letter as soon as possible to the county commission. City residents should write the city manager to express their wishes in this regard. Director Uhlmann of SEMA indicated the buyout program wouldn't get under way for a few weeks, when the extent of those wishing to participate is better known.

Missourians who have experienced damage from severe storms, tornadoes, hail and flooding can register for assistance by calling 1-800-462-9029 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week.

With 100- and 500-year floods becoming more frequent than that misleading moniker suggests, the patience, resources and charitable impulses of citizens of the Missouri and Mississippi River valleys has been stretched thinner than before. Those unfortunate enough to be repeat flood victims should heed director Uhlmann's advice and seriously consider the buyout program.