Miller County Quorum Court agreed to join a group of counties in forming the Red River Intermodal Authority, which aims to make the Red River navigable through Arkansas. The authority will succeed the Arkansas Red River Commission in promoting economic development, conservation, and navigation of the Red River in Southwest Arkansas and possibly into northern Texas and southern Oklahoma.

Authority Formation

The Intermodal Authority will be formed with Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, and Sevier counties. Each county will appoint two members to the authority, which will have the power to enter contracts, receive grants, and issue bonds. However, the authority will not have the right to levy taxes.

Rich Brontoli, executive director of the multistate Red River Valley Association, presented a slide presentation outlining the authority’s operations. He noted that the ARRC has set aside $100,000 in seed money for the Intermodal Authority, which will require approval from the Arkansas secretary of state to form.

Benefits of a Navigable Red River

A navigable Red River would bring various benefits, including new recreational opportunities and shipments of fertilizer, steel, and petroleum products. One barge could move as much freight as 70 trains, reducing the number of trucks on the interstate and having a positive environmental impact.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.