The Ouachita River may be in trouble due to lack of commercial use. The ”Low Use” designation means funds could be scarce for dredging and locks and dams. The funding relies on a formula of lock usage and tonnage.
Congressman Ralph Abraham thinks the formula for funding should be based on other factors.
Abraham thinks more commercial river traffic is a great thing. He thinks the Ouachita River has a bigger impact than commercial traffic alone.
“The economic impact of the Ouachita is huge and are working with the Corps on an almost daily basis to keep the channels open and certainly to maintain the levee system. “
Abraham says the U.S. Army Coprs of Engineers has to do their due diligence to keep the rivers open but the funding has to be there to make that happen.
This week ULM announced a planned economic impact study to put a price on the impact of the Ouachita River. The study will be used to show the broader impact the Ouachita has on and area from Camden Arkansas to Avoyelles Parish.
