The six members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation who fought for the projects announced today are as follows: Senators Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D), Representatives Marion Berry (D-1st), Vic Snyder (D-2nd), John Boozman (R-3rd), and Mike Ross (D-4th).

With the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA), Congress has authorized more than $23 billion for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works programs to design, construct, operate and maintain water resource projects across the nation. WRDA has traditionally been used to authorize projects such as dredging, flood control, stream bank erosion, and dam safety.

"Passage of this legislation is long overdue," Lincoln said. "One of the lessons of Hurricane Katrina is the importance of having properly maintained and structurally sound water infrastructure. This legislation will provide funding for projects throughout Arkansas that will assess flood safety, rehabilitate levees, stabilize river banks and channels, and study additional navigation options on our waterways."

"This legislation provides an important framework for infrastructure projects that promote economic growth in Arkansas," Pryor said. "The entire delegation has worked closely, in conjunction state and local community leaders, to address needs that will reduce flood damage, improve navigation systems and enhance environmental protections along America’s waterways. I believe the final product will improve the standard of living in Arkansas and make our state more competitive in regard to commerce."

"Maintaining the safety and security of our water resources is essential for job growth and development," said Berry. "This money will authorize millions of dollars into regions that are in need of assistance for projects such as the expansion of harbor capacities, restoring and rebuilding levees to prevent flood damage, and studying water levels to ensure Arkansans have clean water for drinking and adequate supplies for farming. The Water Development Resources Act can greatly benefit our state and I encourage the President to sign it and help continue economic growth for Arkansas."

"I am pleased that our state projects within the Water Resources Development Act have all been authorized," said Congressman Snyder." This funding is much needed and Arkansas will greatly benefit from these projects."

As Arkansas continues to grow, it is important to do all we can to develop water resources that we can count on in the future," Boozman said. "WRDA will raise the standard of living in Arkansas by ensuring clean water for our citizens, protect their homes and businesses from flooding, and increase commerce with new navigation routes. I am proud of the efforts of the Arkansas delegation to work together to ensure these important Arkansas projects remain in the WRDA bill."

"These projects are vital to the economic well-being of numerous communities and businesses throughout South Arkansas," Ross said. "I am hopeful that the President will recognize the critical importance of this legislation and sign it into law, so that we can ensure the continued impact of the Ouachita-Black Rivers Navigation Project and the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation Channel."

The bill includes the following projects:

Cache River Basin

In recent years, floods in this area have caused concern. The bill will authorize a feasibility study for flood damage reduction along the Cache River in Grubbs.

Des Arc Levee

This project will provide for protection of Des Arc from White River floodwaters. The authorized features of the project include an earthen levee, a sewage pump, a storm water pump, two 60-inch culverts with floodgates and a sump area of 92 acre-feet.

East Arkansas Enterprise Community

The East Arkansas Enterprise Community (EAEC) is located in parts of Cross, Lee, Monroe and St. Francis Counties, an economically depressed area in eastern Arkansas. This bill would authorize the Corps to support flood control, drainage and water development projects in the area.

Greers Ferry Lake Reallocation Study for Searcy County, AR

Funding will help the people of Searcy County obtain adequate supplies of clean drinking water. 

Little Red River Irrigation District

The Little Red River Irrigation District includes southern and eastern areas of White County, Arkansas. The project will provide a sustainable water supply for irrigation, fish farming and waterfowl enhancement.

Little Rock Port

WRDA authorizes a feasibility study concerning dredging and the beneficial use of dredge material at the Little Rock Port. Should the Secretary of the Army find this project feasible, the Corps of Engineers is authorized to carry out the project.

May Branch, Fort Smith, AR

May Branch flows through a covered conduit within the city limits of Fort Smith and into the Arkansas River. This project would help alleviate flooding in Fort Smith that has caused an estimated $1.7 million in average annual damages.

McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation Channel (MKARNS).

WRDA authorizes funding to deepen the navigation channel to a minimum depth of 12 feet throughout the navigation channel.

Osceola Harbor, AR

The bill will authorize the construction of new docks to enhance the port’s capability and create new jobs and economic opportunities in an area with high unemployment rates.

Pine Mountain, AR

The project was initially authorized in the Flood Control Act of 1965, for a dam site at mile 35.7 on Lee Creek 12 miles north of Van Buren, Arkansas, in Crawford County. This bill will authorize construction of a lake for flood control, water supply, recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement.

Red-Ouachita River Basin Levees

WRDA will authorize the Corps of Engineers to reconstruct and stabilize banks along the Ouachita and Black Rivers in Arkansas and Louisiana. This will provide flood control, drainage and power improvements for surrounding counties.

St. Francis River Basin/Land Transfer

The bill will authorize channel stabilization and sediment removal on the St. Francis River and tributaries. In addition, it will transfer land in the St. Francis Basin from the Corps to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

St. Francis Basin, AR & MO; MR&T Construction

This bill will help address concerns over the severity of erosion, head cutting and sediment deposition problems due to the channelization of the St. Francis Basin.

Upper Mississippi Embayment, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi

This bill will authorize the Ground Water Institute at the University of Memphis and Shelby County Government, working in partnership with University of Mississippi and Arkansas State University, federal entities such as the United States Geological Survey, and regional water utilities, to develop long-term planning and evaluation models studying ground and related surface water resources in the Upper Mississippi Embayment areas located in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. 

White River, Augusta to Clarendon Levee

This project is located along the White River in White and Prairie Counties. The bill will authorize the rehabilitation of levees on the White River between Augusta and Clarendon, AR.

White River Basin Comprehensive Study

The White River Basin comprises approximately 28,000 square miles in northeastern Arkansas and southern Missouri. This study will identify opportunities to optimize reservoir operations and address water resource needs for water supply, flood control, waste water management, navigation, recreation, power generation, and other water resources-related improvements identified in the comprehensive study. The bill authorizes a federal funding level of 75 percent for this study.

White River, Operation & Maintenance, General

WRDA will authorize additional scouring and bank stabilization along the White River.

The Army Corps of Engineers performs as one of the Army's major commands and is assigned three broad missions: Military Programs, Civil Works, and Support For Others. The Civil Works mission, overseen by the Committee on Environment and Public Works, is established and modified on a regular basis by the Congress through WRDA.