A group of legislators pushed for support on Tuesday of a study on the area where the Arkansas, Mississippi and White rivers meet, which is the starting point of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.
Reps. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), and Tom Cole (R-Okla.) were among the legislators who signed a letter to Army Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy calling for the Three Rivers Study.
“This study will help determine potential solutions, feasibility scope, federal participation interest and willingness of non-federal sponsors to cost share in a feasibility study,” the legislators said. “It is our understanding that this reconnaissance study will cost about $100,000 and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has carryover investigation funds nationwide that could be used to fund this high priority project of national significance.”
The MKARNS accounts for $1.5 billion to $3 billion in trade transportation in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas per year. It also makes indirect contributions to the local economies.
“The Three Rivers Study would investigate ongoing threats to navigation and bottomland hardwoods at the confluence of the Arkansas, Mississippi and White rivers in southeastern Arkansas,” the legislators said. “As we understand, the MKARNS is being threatened with a breach between navigation miles three and eight on the White River. If a breach occurs, navigation could be impacted for more than 100 days and the economic impact could easily exceed $300 million, including the loss of thousands of acres of wetlands….”
In addition to the trade transportation, the MKARNS also accounts for more than $3.5 billion in industrial investments and affords flood protection, hydropower, water supply and recreation.