Page 9: of Marine News Magazine (September 2025)

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Insights

Waterways Council Inc.

Iraq taught him to “not sweat the small stuff.” On his ? rst kids are. He wants to travel and continue to work, whether tour, on the jet to Kuwait ? ying into a war zone, Eddie it is to “hang out a shingle at an engineering ? rm or become recalled this is what he signed up for and was called to do. a Walmart greeter, I am not a rocking chair guy,” he said.

Overcoming fear, not letting others down, refusing to fail, As the Corps this year celebrates its 250th anniversary of embracing commitment and follow-through gave him the service to this country, leaving the Corps is bittersweet for grit he needed to hurdle the challenges. Eddie. His advice for anyone joining the Corps today is to

Eddie’s view of the Corps as a complex water resources stay humble, be kind, put people ? rst and make time for organization encompasses his many past roles, most recently them, choose people over things, be a positive force inside informing a national perspective from Corps’ headquarters the organization, and uplift others to be enthusiastic and in Washington, DC in addition to a division or district view. pursue opportunities.

He said his interactions with Congress and the Adminis- Wise words from the wisest of men. We thank you, Ed- tration, no matter who was serving in the White House, die Belk, for your service to the Corps and to Waterways had been very positive because those in of? ce appreciate and Council and its members, and for your stalwart commit- respect what the Corps does for the country. He noted the ment to always ? nding solutions.

Corps’ workload is at record, unprecedented levels, man- aging its eight mission lines for Civil Works: Navigation; * Some details drawn from the Corps’ July 11, 2025 Inside

Flood and Storm Damage Reduction; Aquatic Ecosystem the Castle Episode 162 podcast interview with Mr. Belk.

Restoration; Hydropower; Recreation; Regulatory Permit- ting; Environmental Enhancement; and providing support to other federal agencies, state and local governments, and private entities on a variety of water resources-related issues.

In addition to these core mission areas, the Corps pro- vides a vital role in emergency response, particularly for natural disasters.

Referring to the Corps’ work as a “Silent Servant,” ? rst coined by Deputy Commanding General for Civil and

Emergency Operations Maj. Gen. Michael Walsh, Eddie acknowledges that despite America being a maritime na- tion, many people are unaware of what the Corps does. The

U.S. maritime industry – its ports, waterways, and harbors – facilitates interaction with the world economically, and the

Corps’ navigation work is front and center to that activity.

Its ? ood risk management is ever-critical given climate variability and more than 50% of the U.S. population liv- ing near a coast. Finding ways to harmonize and add value to ecosystem restoration has been key to the Corps, he said, and given that 25% of U.S. hydropower is produced by dams for growing urban centers raises the bar for the

Corps’ work on that mission line.

He cited 260 million visitors to U.S. recreation sites over the last few years has generated more dollars than entry to Walt Disney World, so recreation drives the economic engine in addition to providing relaxation.

In his retirement, he plans to return to his home state of

Mississippi, where his wife, oldest daughter and two grand- www.marinelink.com MN 9|