The federal government is trying to find evidence of any past efforts by
environmental groups to block work on New Orleans' levees, according to a
published report.
The Clarion-Ledger said Friday it obtained an internal Justice Department
e-mail sent out this week to U.S. attorneys that asks: "Has your district
defended any cases on behalf of the (U.S.) Army Corps of Engineers against
claims brought by environmental groups seeking to block or otherwise impede
the Corps work on the levees protecting New Orleans? If so, please describe
the case and the outcome of the litigation." [...]
Shown a copy of the email, David Bookbinder, senior attorney for Sierra
Club, said: "Why are they (Bush administration officials) trying to smear us
like this?"
The Sierra Club and other environmental groups had nothing to do with the
flooding that resulted from Hurricane Katrina that killed hundreds, he said.
"It's unfortunate that the Bush administration is trying to shift the blame
to environmental groups," he said. "It doesn't surprise me at all."