Channeling your Anger

When the citizens heard what was in store for their river, they raised a howl. Many ecologists said it was not necessary to channel the Rouge River to achieve flood control. In addition, many civil engineers, stated it was not crucial to pave much of the banks of the river to control flooding in Western Wayne County. Congressman John Dingell, actively supported and continued to send federal support for the Army Corps of Engineers' River Rouge Project.

Here is what Dingell had to say: "While I am strongly opposed to stream channelization under most circumstances, the delay of the Rouge River flood control project would be disastrous from the standpoint of costly damage by flooding to property and would be injurious to the health and welfare of the area."

What a riot! Most people were not impressed. Citizens against Dingell's plans stressed it would have no effect on flood control. However, many of the protests were too late to stop the project altogether. Only further construction could be stopped.