The last paragraph is not from The Onion (Corps of Engineers ...):
The heavy strains on the system and concerns that floods are getting more frequent and damaging are sparking a re-examination of flood control. In years past, the call likely would have gone out for higher levees and more so-called gray infrastructure—concrete and cement structures to keep the Mississippi inside its banks. Now some flood experts, along with some states, are saying that trying to control the river won't do the job. ...
Even the Corps itself is in the process of officially changing its approach. For decades, the agency has focused on preventing floods, with the Mississippi flood-control system dating to the aftermath of the great flood of 1927. This summer, it expects to win federal approval for a policy it has begun phasing in over the past several years: allowing more flooding, while working with local and state governments to manage development on surrounding land to reduce economic damage from floods.
The idea isn't to dismantle the hard structures, but to use other techniques to prevent the river from getting so high. "Whenever possible, the best way to manage floods is with a natural flood plain," said Terrence "Rock" Salt, the U.S. Army's deputy assistant secretary overseeing the Corps of Engineers' water-resource policy.
I'm sure that what ever came after the comma was more profound ... but Rock Salt's quote is a bit of a no-brainer in the same league as:
- The best way to manage children is with parenting.
- The best way to manage your weight is with reduced caloric intake.
- The best way to manage (i.e., reduce) pollution is with economic incentives.
- The best way to stop smoking is to never start.
- The best way to ...
Add your own no-brainer in the comments section.