Wow, someone with a little common sense. This E.O. in fact is just a routine revision, changing which departments handle what and updating definitaions like what all is considered “energy” since we have some new forms now. And eliminating FEMA from the plan, probably because of the wonderful job they did with Katrina and other recent disasters (sarcasm).
If you follow the document trail listed in this E.O., you will find that all this stuff, including resource management and labor without compensation, was actually enacted by previous presidents. In fact, Ronald Reagan wrote E.O. 12656 which stated that the executive branch had the power to control the country’s resources and even gave the Department of Defense the job of controlling all of the water supply.
Executive Order 12656 of November 18, 1988
“PART 2-General Provisions
Sec. 203. Resource Management. The head of each Federal department and agency, as appropriate within assigned areas of responsibility, shall:
(4) Develop plans to set priorities and allocate resources among civilian and military claimants; “
“PART 5-Department of Defense
Sec. 501. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Secretary of Defense shall:
(6) Acting through the Secretary of the Army, develop, with the concurrence of the heads of all affected departments and agencies, overall plans for the management, control, and allocation of all usable waters from all sources within the jurisdiction of the United States.”
You guys should all know by now that you cannot simply read one government document and have all the necessary information to make a decision or pass judgement.