Bush corps targets biologist for kayaking river

Navigating the Los Angeles River.

LOS ANGELES -- The US Army Corps of Engineers wants to suspend biologist Heather Wylie for kayaking the LA River on her own time.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, where I serve as Ecologist and Southwest Director, is defending her.

Wylie wanted to see for herself if the river was 'navigable', and it is, despite claims from USACE brass that it's not, and therefore should not be protected by the Clean Water Act.

In a related controversy, the corps also recently tried to end protections of Arizona's navigable Santa Cruz River near Tucson, which prompted strong opposition from the public, Pima County, EPA's Regional Office and US Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords (Ds-AZ), but not a peep from Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

Heather Wylie should be thanked and promoted for her important investigative work, but the corrupt Bush-Cheney gang favors punishing public-interest honesty.

Other coverage, 10/10: Seattle P-I, LA Times.

Other news: Protection sought for imperiled Sonoran Desert Tortoise.