port for the Congress and the administration while we develop the
Red River Valley to its fullest potential through a cooperative ef-
fort. Specific goals are supporting our neighboring States in their
project needs and continuing our strong development efforts on the
Red River through our river ports, recreation, bank stabilization
and mitigation efforts. The Red River Waterway Commission has
a tremendous amount of work to accomplish in the years to come
so that all the goals of this project come to fruition. We appreciate
testifying before you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Brontoli. I would like to introduce Ron Glenn, our Vice
President from Texas. He is also the General Manager of the Red
River Authority of Texas.
Mr. Glenn. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to
speak before you. I am Ron Glenn. I am General Manager of the
Red River Authority of Texas, also the Texas Vice President for the
Red River Valley Association. I represent not only the Red River
Valley Association and its projects as presented today, but the peo-
ple that live and work in a 43-county area of Texas.
I would like to share with you briefly four or five items that you
have already heard a bit about, but one specifically that is near
and dear to my heart, the Red River Basin Chloride Project. It
stands now at a $225 million project. You gave us $16 million 2
years ago and due to a minor conflict with U.S. fish and wildlife —
it was a real conflict, we had to postpone construction for a while.
The Corps is ready to proceed. In May, the supplement to the
final EIS will be out and complete and we are ready to move for-
ward with it. Therefore well be asking you for a real big favor.
Since you are leaving, I thought it would be real nice if you could
give us a check for $50.1 million. We know how you have supported
the program in the past.
We believe that we have negotiated with fish and wildlife and
the Texas and Oklahoma resource agencies to the extent that we
can resolve it with a comprehensive environmental monitoring pro-
gram that is being implemented as we speak with some of that
money that you gave us. Rather than basing our theories on hy-
pothesis, we will seek good science and we believe that the chloride
project will stand this one additional test.
A positive point that you might be interested in, the Corps finally
finished a project in our area.
Mr. Myers. What year?
Mr. Glenn. Last year. The Wichita Laying and Holiday Creek
Flood Control Project was finally completed and dedicated and it
really works. Now, if we could get rain we would be in good shape.
The McGrath Creek Flood Control Project is still under way. It
is a $11.3 million project in the Wichita Falls area and the Corps
has adequate funds to continue that so we are just asking for their
full Corps capabilities.
The Bowie County Levee Project we support 100 percent and ask
that you give the Corps $100,000 to continue their preliminary en-
gineering design. The Cypress Valley Watershed Project we sup-
port full Corps capability. The Bank Stabilization and Demonstra-
tion Project, we believe in that. We are the local sponsor for the
Texas portion if it ever gets past Index, Arkansas.
We would like to see a sediment transport study. We believe it
would be beneficial to navigation up through Louisiana. Therefore
we ask for $2.5 million and full Corps capability on the Bank Sta-
bilization Demonstration Project already mentioned.
Mr. Chairman and Members and staff", I appreciate the oppor-
tunity to speak before you. If you have any questions I will enter-
tain them. Otherwise I will just pick up that check. I don't have
a plane to catch, but I would really like to go to the bathroom.
Mr. Brontoli. I would like to introduce Mr. Bill Chapman, the
Vice President from Oklahoma. He is a rancher and attorney and
lives in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Mr. Chapman. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, it
is a privilege to return again this year to testify before you. My
family has been involved in agriculture and owned and operated
agricultural properties in Oklahoma, central Oklahoma as well as
northeast Texas for about going on 80 years now, and we have had
three generations so far doing it and are looking forward to the
fourth.
I would simply state that we have had some opportunity to see
the benefits and the fine work that the Federal Government has
done in the projects on Red River, and we firmly believe that the
benefits that are now accruing for what you have spent have
brought many, many returns and will continue to do so for a long
time.
Rather than to go into any great detail and in the interest of
time, I would say that the project that my Arkansas colleague
spoke to concerning the feasibility of the study on navigation from
Shreveport, Bossier to Index, Arkansas, we support that whole-
heartedly. From Oklahoma, we very strongly support the Chloride
Project that my colleague just spoke to you about.
The one project that hasn't been talked about here that I would
like to briefly talk to concerns an authorized, a project already au-
thorized and already exists. It is the Red River Waterway Project.
So the issue that I would have to speak to, then, is the benefit-cost
ratio on that. We believe that if we had within that project a sedi-
ment transport study that would identify the benefits that would
accrue due to reducing the dredging costs in navigation below us,
that it would be beneficial for all of us if a sediment study would
show — point this out.
There is apparently a new technique that has been demonstrated
on the Missouri River, and we think that this project, if tried on
the Red River, would point out great cost savings to the Federal
Government on stabilization. I am speaking here to the erosion of
the river bank situation. This io a — it is called an underwater
bendway weir, and apparently it has proven much less expensive
than conventional methods, and is also very efficient in controlling
the energy of the river as it goes downstream.
In line with that, we would ask that the committee direct the As-
sistant Secretary of the Army Civil Works under the authorized
project of the Red River Waterway Project to conduct a sediment
transport study on the stretch of the Red River from Denison Dam
to Index, Arkansas, for the effect of bank caving to the navigation
project in Louisiana.
In addition, the Assistant Secretary of the Army Civil Works be
directed to design and construct a demonstration project at two lo-
cations using the bendway weir technique and we would request
$500,000 in funds to be expended for this purpose in fiscal year
1997.
I would say that it has been a pleasure to come back and see fa-
miliar faces that have helped us. I was here originally when Wes
Watkins was on your board. It has been a pleasure to see your
faces and to have such kind hearings from you.
Mr. Myers. We understand Wes has changed hats and is head-
ing back.
Mr. Chapman. He has, and he is progressing on his effort to re-
cover his seat, I think.
[The statements of the Red River Valley Association follow:]
391
Red River Valley Association
629 SPRING STREET
P O BOX 709
SHREVEPORT, LA 71 162-0709
(318) 221-5233
TESTIMONY
of the
RED RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION
to the
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY
& WATER DEVELOPMENTS
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FY 1997 BUDGET
FEBRUARY 27, 1996
FOUR STATE ASSOCIATION DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND AND WATER RESOURCES OF THE RED RIVER (
392
RED RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROJECT PAGE
I . Summary of FY 97 Requests 1
II. Lists of Attendees 4
III. List of Witnesses 6
IV. statement of the Red River Valley Association 7
V . Testimony by Arkansas Delegation 9
VI . Testimony by Louisiana Delegation 12
VII . Testimony by Texas Delegation 18
VIII. Testimony by Oklahoma Delegation 20
IX. Introduction to Platforms, Resolutions 22
and Programs of Work
X. Support Resolution: Shreveport Chamber of Commerce 23
Shreveport, LA
XI. Support Resolution: Shreveport/Bossier Port Commission 26
393
I. SOMMARY OF FY97 REQDESTS
RED RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION
NOTE: Projects are WOT in any order of priority.
PROJECT APPROPRIATIONS
1. Red River Waterway Project
A. Continue funding to construct federal recreation
sites at Locks and Dams 3, 4 and 5 to be cost
shared with the established local sponsor.
These include boat launches, comfort stations,
parking facilities and security lighting.
B. Initiate construction on the Eagle Bend Capout
in Pool 5 which will bring these dikes above
pool stage which will be much safer for
recreation boaters. Eagle Bend is within two
miles of two major federal boat launch
facilities. In addition three revetments must
also be reinforced in Pool 1; Hadden/Ft. Derussy
Revetment, Ben Routh Revetment and Saline
Revetment .
Funds requested for Fy97 $17,100,000
2. In FY96 $1 million was appropriated for dredging to
insure our many oxbows remain open to the Red
River. This will ensure a high valued
environmental ecosystem exists and siltation will
not create lakes. Until this environmental
initiative can be incorporated into a Water
Resource Development Act (WRDA) bill we request
funding be continued.
Funds requested for FY97 $ 1,000,000
3. Direct the Secretary of the Army to design and
fully fund construction for the dual site, visitor
center for the Red River Waterway Project. It is
to be fully federal funded and these funds will be
used for this project until expended.
Funds requested for FY97
a. Natchitoches - 4,500 sq ft. $ 1,600,000
b. Shreveport/Bossier - 9,000 sq. ft. $ 3,000,000
4. Direct the Secretary of the Army, under the
authorized Red River Chloride Project, to initiate
construction of Crowell Brine Reservoir, Area VII
and Area IX. These funds will be used for this
project until expended.
Funds requested for FY97 $ 50,100,000
394
5. Congress will direct the Secretary of the Army to
initiate a feasibility study to evaluate extending
navigation from Shreveport, LA to Index. AR and to
be cost shared with the established local sponsor.
Funds requested for FY97 $ 4,000,000
6. Red River Emergency Bank Protection (Louisiana,
Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas) to fully fund
construction for Cat Island Revetment, Dickson
Revetment and Finn Phase II Revetment. Provide
funding to complete design and fully fund
construction of Hurricane Revetment and Blank Lake
Revetment and for funds to initiate engineering and
design of Hunter's Island and Pleasant Valley
revetments .
Funds requested for FY97 $ 20,000,000
7. Red River Levees and Bank Stabilization Below
Denison Dam (Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana) to
continue the levee rehabilitation & restoration.
Funds requested for FY97 $ 3,800,000
8. The McKinney Bayou reconnaissance study of
drainage in Miller County, Arkansas was initiated
in January 1996. Insure enough funding exists to
complete this study in FY97.
Funds requested for FY97 Full Corps Capability
9. Little River County, Arkansas - The Secretary of
the Army acting through the Chief of Engineers is
directed to design and initiate construction of
the Ogden and Walnut Bayou Levees along the Red
River. These levees were authorized by the Flood
Control Act of 1946. Funding of $1,000,000 is to
be appropriated until expended. The Ogden Levee
is to be designed to the same height as the
opposite bank levees in Bowie and Miller County.
Funds requested for FY97 $ 1,000,000
10. The Aloha-Rigolette Flood Control Project,
Louisiana, was in the administration's budget for
FY96 and we do not anticipate any interference
with continued funding for ongoing construction.
Funds requested for FY97 Pull Corps Capability
11. McGrath Creek Flood Control Project, a tributary
of Holliday Creek, located in Wichita County,
Texas with a total project cost of $11.3 million.
This is a project supported by the Administration
.and we do not anticipate any interruption of
funds .
Funds requested for FY97 Full Corps Capability
^A
395
12. The Bowife County Levee Project, located along the
Red River on the Texas side near Texarkana, Texas.
The PED process has been initiated and expected to
be completed in FY97 . Our request of funds is to
complete the PED.
Funds requested for FY97 S 100,000
13. Cypress Valley Watershed Project, a series of
studies in the Big Cypress Valley region (TX) and
Caddo Lake (TX & LA) .
Funds requested for FY97 Full Corps Capability
14. Direct the Secretary of the Army, under the
authority of "Red River Waterway, Index, AR to
Denison Dam, TX, Bank Stabilization', to conduct
a 'Sediment Transport Study' on the stretch of the
Red River from Denison Dam to Index, Arkansas to
determine the effect of bank caving on the
navigation project in Louisiana. In addition, the
ASA(CW) is directed to design and construct
demonstration projects at two locations on the Red
River above Index, AR, using the bendway weir
technique. Funds are to be utilized until
expended.
Funds requested for FY97 $ 2,500,000
15. Direct the Secretary of the Army to expend funds
to re-enforce the "12 mile Bayou Revetment' in
Pool 5 of the Red River Waterway until funds are
expended.
Funds requested for FY97 $ 600,000
16. Bossier Levee District, Louisiana:
A. Direct the Secretary of the Army to clear and
grub the channel of Loggy Bayou from its
confluence on the Red River for 7.8 miles.
This channel has a detrimental affect on
flooding in the vast drainage basin of this
bayou.
Funds requested for FY97 $ 500,000
B. The existing Red Chute Guideline levee is a
part of the Federal levee system, but does not
meet 100 year protection as the adjacent
levees. This was the only levee to over top
in the 1991 flood. Direct that this section
of levee be rehabilitated to meet a 100 year
protection.
Funds requested for FY97 $ 3,000,000
17. We support the MRT project affecting the Red River
- "Bayou Rapides Drainage Structure". Funds in
the amount of $400,000 could be used for design of
this project.
396
RED RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION
FEBRUARY 27, 1996
RED RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATIOII
Lynn Lowe, President of the RRVA, Texarkana, AR
Phil Alford, Vice-President: Arkansas, Lewisville, AR
Ron Glenn, Vice-President: Texas, Wichita Falls, TX
Jerry Boughton, Vice-President: Louisiana, Shreveport, LA
William C. Chapman, Vice-President: Oklahoma, Ardmore, OK
Rich Brontoli, Executive Director, Bossier City, LA
Norman Budd, Director, Alexandria, LA
Jimmy Banks, Director, Wichita Falls, TX
Edward Hawkins, Director, Foreman, AR
Ben Littlepage, Director, Natchitoches, LA
James Nipper. Director, Stamps, AR
David Potter, Director, Texarkana, TX
Louise Trainer, Executive Secretary, Bossier City, LA
ARKAHSAS
Arkansas Red River Commission
Phil Alford, Chairman, Lewisville, AR
Ed Hawkins, Foreman, AR
James Nipper, Stamps, AR
David Potter, Texarkana, AR
Nelson Shaw, Legal Advisor, Texarkana, AR
LOOISIAHA
Bossier Levee District
Paul Johnson, Second Vice President, Bossier City, LA
Ken Corley, Commissioner, Bossier City, LA
Caddo-Bossier Port Commission
Wayne T. Davis, Plain Dealing, LA
Caddo Levee District
Harold White, Shreveport, LA
Sam Windham, Shreveport, LA
LA Department of Transportation and Development
Curtis Patterson, Baton Rouge, LA
397
ATTENDEES (Continuation^
Red River Development Council
Dr. Leland Scoggins , Natchitoches, LA
Red River Waterway Coimtiission
Ben Littlepage, Executive Director, Colfax, LA
Ken Guidry, Asst Executive Director, Natchitoches, LA
Norman Budd, Alexandria, LA
John Bundy, Benton, LA
Marc Dupuy, Jr., Marksville, LA
Richard Gibson, Coushatta, LA
Odell Hodnett, Colfax, LA
Pat Johnson, Natchitoches, LA
Larry Taylor, Bossier City, LA
Randy Halters, Natchitoches, LA
OKLAHOMA
William C. Chapman, Ardmore, OK
TEXAS
Red River Authority of Texas
Ronald Glenn, Wichita Falls, TX
Wichita Co unty Water District # 2
Jimmy Banks, Wichita Falls, TX
Cypress Valley Navigation District
Mrs. Dorothy Grant
INTERESTED PARTIES
Mrs. Dorothy Alford, Lewisville, AR
Mrs. Shirley Banks, Wichita Falls, TX
Mrs. Deanna Bundy, Benton, LA
Mrs. Elizabeth Chapman, Ardmore, OK
Mrs. Beverly Crownover, Wichita Falls, TX
Miss Ashley Crownover, Wichita Falls, TX
Mrs. Jo Anne Davis, Plain Dealing, LA
Miss Megan Davis, Plain Dealing, LA
Mrs. George Alice Dupuy, Marksville, LA
Mrs. Sue Glenn, Wichita Falls, TX
Mrs. Charlene Hawkins, Foreman, AR
Mrs. Kathryn Littlepage, Colfax, LA
^^A
398
III . LIST OP WITHESSES
iDtroduction of the group and opening r«
Mr. A. Lynn Lowe
President
Red River Valley Association
Farmer/Rancher
Texarkana, Arkansas
Introduction of witnesses:
Mr. Richard Brontoli
Executive Director
Red River Valley Association
The following witnesses will present testimony on behalf
of the Red River Valley Association before the hearings
of your Subcommittee today:
Mr. Phil Alford
Vice-President - Arkansas
Red River Valley Association
Rancher
Lewisville, Arkansas
Mr. Jerry Boughton
Vice-President - Louisiana
Red River Valley Association
Banker
Shreveport, Louisiana
Mr. Pat Johnson
Commissi oner -at -Large
Red River Waterway Commission
Construction
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Mr. Ron Glenn
Vice-President - Texas
Red River Valley Association
General Manager
Red River Authority of Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas
Mr. William C. Chapman
Vice-President - Oklahoma
Red River Valley Association
Rancher/Attorney
Ardmore, Oklahoma
399
IV. RRVA STATEMEMT
â– S/a
STATEMENTS OF
THE RED RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION
PRESENTED BY
LYNN LOWE, PRESIDENT
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 27, 1996
Mr. Chairman and members of the Connittee. I am Lynn Lowe, and I
am pleased to represent the Red River Valley Association as its
President. Our organisation was founded in 1925 with the express
purpose of uniting the citizens of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma
and Texas to develop the land and water resources of the Red River
Basin.
You will shortly hear presentations from individuals who will
address the specific needs of their particular states. However,
before they begin, I would like to briefly comment on a few of the
concerns we have for the future economic well-being of the citizens
residing in the four state Red River Basin area.
First, Navigation. Thanks to this committee's support, the Red
River Navigation project to Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana, -
the largest metropolitan area in the River Basin - is complete.
We have already realized benefits this project will bring to the
area - and the nation - and thank you for your support. We now
ask for your continued support to study the feasibility of
extending navigation from Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana into
the State of Arkansas. Many areas continue to suffer major
unemployment, and the navigation project, although not the total
solution, will help revitalize our economy. We are aware that
limited analysis, to date, have not had the results we had hoped
for. If local economy benefits are considered we feel confident a
project would be justified. You will hear from our Arkansas
delegation the specifics on why a feasibility study must be funded,
but I want to stress that the local sponsor, the Red River
Coimnission of Arkansas, has available their 50% cost share for the
complete study. Very few local sponsors have funds 'in the bank'
and are also willing to fund additional studies to insure a
complete analysis is made.
Second, Bank Stabilization. One of the most important continuing
programs on the Red River is bank stabilization to stop the loss of
valuable farmland that washes down streams to form sandbars and
interfere with the navigable channel . These revetment projects are
compatible with subsequent navigation and we urge that they be
continued in those locations designated by the Corps of Engineers
to be the areas of the worst bank caving.
400
Third, Flood Control. You will recall that in 1990 major areas of
northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas and the entire length of the
Red River in Louisiana were ravaged by the worst flooding to hit
the region since 1945 and 1957. More than 700,000 acres were
flooded with total damages estimated at $20.4 million. However, it
could have been much worse. The Corps of Engineers estimates that
without the flood control measure authorized by Congress over the
past several decades an additional 1.3 million acres would have
been flooded with an estimated $330 million in additional flood
damage to agricultural and urban developments. We continue to
consider flood control a major objective and request you continue
funding the levee rehabilitation projects ongoing in Arkansas and
Texas .
And, Fourth, Clean Hater. Nearly 3,500 tons of natural salts,
primarily sodium chloride, enter the upper reaches of the Red River
each day, rendering downstream waters unusable for most purposes.
Several years ago. Congress authorized funding for the Truscott
Brine Lake project, which is located on the South Fork of the
Wichita River in Ring and Knox Counties, Texas. After the project
became operational in 1987, an independent panel of experts found
that the project not only continues to perform beyond design
expectations insofar as providing cleaner water, but has an
exceptionally favorable cost benefit ratio, in fact, one of the
best cost-benefit ratios of any federally funded project in the
nation. The Association urges Congress to continue supporting the
Chloride Control Project in order to assure a clean water supply
for residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural uses.
This truly affects multi-states requiring a Federal project; as the
benefits affect all four states in the Red River Region.
We are sincerely grateful to you for the past support you have
given our various projects. We hope that we can count on you again
to fund our needs and complete the projects that will help us
diversity our economy and create the jobs so badly needed by our
citizens.
Civil Work Projects are the one most effective jobs program in the
Federal government and more. On an average, 80% of the cost of
these projects goes to the private sector for design contracts and
all construction. Once completed our communities are provided with
the infrastructure to promote economic development opportunities.
What other federal program compares to the benefits received for
the dollar spent?
Due to emergency funding of natural disasters and other
unprogrammed commitments, FY96 appropriations for many projects
have been reduced. We strongly encourage that this subcommittee
introduce and that the Congress pass a Supplemental Appropriations
to restore project funding to the FY96 level. This is important so
that our private sector contractors can continue with projects and
be paid for work completed. Forcing projects to cease construction
will only increase overall project costs.
I am now please to present Richard Brontoli, the Executive Director
of the Red River Valley Association who will introduce the
witnesses for each of the four states.
Thank you.
401
ARKANSAS
STATEMENTS OF
THE RED RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION
PRESENTED BY
Mr. PHIL ALFORD, VICE-PRESIDENT, ARKANSAS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
O.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 27, 1996
â– Si
As Chairman for the Red River Convnission of Arkansas, I wish to
thank the members of this Committee for the opportunity to again
express the concerns, needs and priorities of funding vitally
needed from the Congress to continue the orderly development of the
Red River Valley in Southwest Arkansas.
1. Twenty-one years ago the Arkansas General Assembly created the
Red River Commission upon the recommendation of Governor Dale
Bumpers, now the Senior United States Senator for the State of
Arkansas. The Commission was vested with the authority to furnish
the local cooperation necessary for the construction and study of
projects and to coordinate with the Corps of Engineer and the
Congress to develop the water resources of the Red River in
Arkansas. With navigation now a reality to Shreveport, Louisiana,
we are prepared to extend water transportation into Arkansas.
Southwest Arkansas and East Texas are economic depressed regions.
This project would provide multi-purpose opportunities for