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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 34
BY SENATORS PEACOCK, ADLEY, BUFFI NGTON, LONG AND TARVER
WATER/WATERWAYS. Objects to federal mandate to reduce lock and dam service on
the Red River and requests Corps of Engineers to maintain navigability on the Red River or
otherwise to suspend the mandate.
A RESOLUTION1
To object to the mandate of the United States Army Corps of Engineers to reduce lock and2
dam service on the Red River, and to urge and request the United States Army Corps3
of Engineers to maintain navigability on the Red River twenty-four hours per day,4
seven days per week, three hundred sixty-five days per year, as required by Section5
101 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968, P.L. 90-483, or alternatively, to suspend6
implementation of the mandate until the United States Army Corps of Engineers7
conducts a cost-benefit analysis and researches statements from the public hearings8
conducted.9
WHEREAS, in 1968 the United States Congress authorized the Red River Waterway10
Project; and11
WHEREAS, the purpose of the project was to enable year-round navigation on the12
Red River by straightening the river, stabilizing its banks and constructing five locks and13
dams; and14
WHEREAS, the Port of Shreveport-Bossier was constructed to grow commerce on15
the Red River, one of the region's top assets; and16
WHEREAS, in 2007 an economic impact study concluded that the economic benefit17
of the project to the seven-parish region included attracting four billion six hundred million18 SR NO. 34
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dollars in new monies, increasing new business sales by eight billion four hundred million1
dollars, increasing household earnings by two billion seven hundred million dollars and2
creating an average of two thousand one hundred seven new jobs per year; and3
WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has issued a mandate that4
will result in locks and dams three, four, and five, not being fully operational twenty-four5
hours per day, seven days per week, three hundred sixty-five days per year as required by6
Section 101 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968, P.L. 90-483; and7
WHEREAS, this mandate jeopardizes the reliability of usage of the Red River, not8
only for current industries, but will discourage others from locating at the port; and9
WHEREAS, the mandate causes negative impacts on safety and emergency rescues10
and homeland security; and11
WHEREAS, in addition, the port is utilized for recreation and tourism, which is12
another important economic engine; and13
WHEREAS, the river could remain navigable twenty-four hours per day, seven days14
per week, three hundred sixty-five days per year if the Corps allocates more funds.15
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana16
does hereby object to the mandate of the United States Army Corps of Engineers to reduce17
lock and dam service on the Red River.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does19
hereby urge and request the United States Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the20
navigability of the Red River twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, three hundred21
sixty-five days per year, as required by Section 101 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968,22
P.L. 90-483.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, alternatively, the Senate of the Legislature of24
Louisiana does hereby urge and request the United States Army Corps of Engineers to25
suspend the implementation of such mandate until it conducts a cost-benefit analysis and26
researches statements from the public hearings conducted.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to28
Colonel Jeffrey R. Eckstein, district commander for the Vicksburg District, United States29
Army Corps of Engineers.30 SR NO. 34
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Sharon F. Lyles.
DIGEST
Peacock SR No. 34
Objects to mandate of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce lock and dam service on
the Red River; requests the Corps to maintain navigability on the Red River 24 hours per
day, seven days per week, 365 days per year, as required by Section 101 of the River and
Harbor Act of 1968, P.L. 90-483; alternatively, requests the Corps to suspend
implementation of its mandate until it conducts a cost-benefit analysis and researches
statements from the public hearings conducted.