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Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 34
BY SENATORS PEACOCK, ADLEY, BUFFI NGTON, LONG AND TARVER
A RESOLUTION
To object to the mandate of the United States Army Corps of Engineers to reduce lock and
dam service on the Red River, and to urge and request the United States Army Corps
of Engineers to maintain navigability on the Red River twenty-four hours per day,
seven days per week, three hundred sixty-five days per year, as required by Section
101 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968, P.L. 90-483, or alternatively, to suspend
implementation of the mandate until the United States Army Corps of Engineers
conducts a cost-benefit analysis and researches statements from the public hearings
conducted.
WHEREAS, in 1968 the United States Congress authorized the Red River Waterway
Project; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the project was to enable year-round navigation on the
Red River by straightening the river, stabilizing its banks and constructing five locks and
dams; and
WHEREAS, the Port of Shreveport-Bossier was constructed to grow commerce on
the Red River, one of the region's top assets; and
WHEREAS, in 2007 an economic impact study concluded that the economic benefit
of the project to the seven-parish region included attracting four billion six hundred million
dollars in new monies, increasing new business sales by eight billion four hundred million
dollars, increasing household earnings by two billion seven hundred million dollars and
creating an average of two thousand one hundred seven new jobs per year; and
WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has issued a mandate that
will result in locks and dams three, four, and five, not being fully operational twenty-four
hours per day, seven days per week, three hundred sixty-five days per year as required by
Section 101 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968, P.L. 90-483; and SR NO. 34 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, this mandate jeopardizes the reliability of usage of the Red River, not
only for current industries, but will discourage others from locating at the port; and
WHEREAS, the mandate causes negative impacts on safety and emergency rescues
and homeland security; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the port is utilized for recreation and tourism, which is
another important economic engine; and
WHEREAS, the river could remain navigable twenty-four hours per day, seven days
per week, three hundred sixty-five days per year if the Corps allocates more funds.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby object to the mandate of the United States Army Corps of Engineers to reduce
lock and dam service on the Red River.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby urge and request the United States Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the
navigability of the Red River twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, three hundred
sixty-five days per year, as required by Section 101 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968,
P.L. 90-483.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, alternatively, the Senate of the Legislature of
Louisiana does hereby urge and request the United States Army Corps of Engineers to
suspend the implementation of such mandate until it conducts a cost-benefit analysis and
researches statements from the public hearings conducted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Colonel Jeffrey R. Eckstein, district commander of the Vicksburg District, United States
Army Corps of Engineers.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE