HLS 13RS-2358 ENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 109
BY REPRESENTATIVE BURFORD
WATERWAYS/NAVI GATION: Requests that the United States Army Corps of Engineers
maintain a minimum of 9 foot deep by 200 foot wide channel to allow safe and
reliable barge transportation on the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request that the United States Army Corps of Engineers maintain, through its2
dredging process, a minimum of a nine foot deep by two hundred foot wide channel3
to allow safe and reliable barge transportation on the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway4
on the Red River and to maintain such navigability on the Red River twenty-four5
hours per day, seven days per week, three hundred sixty-five days per year, as6
required by Section 101 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968, P.L. 90-483 and to7
urge and request that the United States Army Corps of Engineers operate all local8
and dam facilities on the Red River twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week,9
three hundred sixty-five days per year.10
WHEREAS, in 1968 the United States Congress authorized the Red River Waterway11
Project; and12
WHEREAS, the purpose of the project was to enable year-round navigation on the13
Red River by straightening the river, stabilizing its banks and constructing five locks and14
dams; and15
WHEREAS, the Port of Caddo-Bossier and others were constructed to grow16
commerce on the Red River, one of the region's top assets; and17
WHEREAS, in 2007 an economic impact study concluded that the economic benefit18
of the project to the seven-parish region included attracting four billion six hundred million19 HLS 13RS-2358 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 109
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dollars in new monies, increasing household earnings by two billion eight hundred million1
dollars, and creating an average of two thousand one hundred seven new jobs per year; and2
WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has issued a Congressional3
mandate to assure such navigability for commercial and recreational development; and4
WHEREAS, a minimum nine foot deep by two hundred foot wide channel provides5
reliable usage of the Red River, not only for current industries, but for others considering6
locating to the Red River; and7
WHEREAS, in addition, the Red River is utilized for recreation and tourism,8
including hosting the 2009 and 2012 Bassmaster Classic, which is another import economic9
development engine.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby11
urge and request that the United States Army Corps of Engineers maintain, through its12
dredging process, a minimum of a nine foot deep by two hundred foot wide channel to allow13
safe and reliable barge transportation on the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway on the Red River14
and to maintain such navigability on the Red River twenty-four hours per day, seven days15
per week, three hundred sixty-five days per year, as required by Section 101 of the River and16
Harbor Act of 1968, P.L. 90-483.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge,18
request, and recommend that the United States Army Corps of Engineers operate all lock and19
dam facilities on the Red River twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, three20
hundred sixty-five days per year.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to each22
member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to24
Colonel Jeffrey R. Eckstein, district commander of the Vicksburg District, United States25
Army Corps of Engineers.26 HLS 13RS-2358 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 109
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Burford HCR No. 109
Urges and requests that the United States Army Corps of Engineers maintain, through its
dredging process, a minimum of a 9' deep by 200' wide channel to allow safe and reliable
barge transportation on the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway on the Red River and to maintain
such navigability on the Red River 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, as
required by the River and Harbor Act of 1968.
Urges and requests that the United States Army Corps of Engineers operate all lock and dam
facilities on the Red River twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and
sixty-five days a year.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation, Highways
and Public Works to the original bill.
1. Added a provision urging and requesting that the United States Army Corps of
Engineers operate all lock and dam facilities on the Red River twenty-four hours
a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year.
2. Made technical changes.