WATER RESOURCE VOICE FOR THE ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN NEWSLETTER • of the Ai3DA Arkansas Basin Development Association Volume 9, Number 1 Spring, 1997 ARKANSAS COLORADO KANSAS . MISSOURI OKLAHOMA

AGREEMENT TO HELP PROTECT HABITAT FOR ARKANSAS RIVER SHINER

Oklahoma will join a multi-state memorandum is to provide a means of agreement with the U.S.Fish and Wild- protecting an ecosystem, notjust the • life Service to protect habitat for the endangered species. Under the agree- Arkansas River Shiner, listed as a ment,the Fish and Wildlife Service will threatened species under federal law. list the Arkansas River Shiner as a Jerry Brabander,representing the threatened species,rather than an en- Fish and Wildlife Service,said Texas dangered species. In exchange, the has provided a verbal comment tojoin two states will help develop and imple- the agreement. The Oklahoma Wild- ment a conservation plan for preserv- life Conservation Commission, Mon- ing needed habitat. day,April 7,authorized Director Greg The Arkansas River Shiner lives in Duffy to sign the memorandum ofun- wide, shallow, sandy-bottomed derstanding on behalfofthe Oklahoma streams and has been found in the Department ofWildlife Conservation. Canadian and Cimarron Rivers. The The memorandum ofunderstanding original range ofthe fish ran from New establishes a general framework for Mexico, across southern Kansas, cooperation between Oklahoma, northern Oklahoma and Texas to Ar- Texas and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife kansas. However,they are no longer Service to conserve the Arkansas found in Arkansas due to the deepen- River Shiner and protect habitat for the ing ofchannels to form the McClellan- fish. Kerr Arkansas River Navigation Sys- The issue is habitat in streams, tem.

Brabander said. Purpose of the continued page 3 • 2 Arkansas Basin Development Association Spring, 1997 • Federal Grants Awarded for Sensitive Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- Brabander said most of the vice ("USFWS") has awarded projects will benefit additional spe- $117,122 to the Oklahoma De- cies by considering the full ecosys- partment of Wildlife Conservation tems inhabited by sensitive species and Oklahoma Natural Heritage or by developing information that Inventory for work on endangered, will help efforts to conserve other threatened and other sensitive spe- species. Specific projects may in- cies. volve habitat protection, conduct- The Wildlife Department will ing research on the status of a focus on sensitive animal species given species and its requirements while the Natural Heritage Inven- for survival or other activities. tory will concentrate on the plants. Under the federal Endangered "Funds will most directly ben- Species Act, cooperating state efit seven animal species listed as agencies sign agreements with the endangered or threatened USFWS to receive federal finan- (355,290), one plant species cial assistance to augment their listed as threatened (510,332) own efforts to conserve threatened andfive other species offederal and endangered species. The fed- concern ($51,500)," stated Jerry eral government pays 75 to 90 Brabander, field supervisor for percent of the cost of these the USFWS.Oklahoma Field Of- projects, with the states paying the fice located in Tulsa. remainder in funds and in-kind ser- "Included are the endangered vices. Ozark big-eared bat, gray bat, in- During most years, the work terior least tern, red-cockaded funded in Oklahoma is partly con- woodpecker, blackcapped vireo ducted by the cooperating agen- and Ouachita rock-pocketbook cies themselves, but for the most mussel. Threatened species in- part is carried out through con- clude the Ozark cavefish, west- tracts with state universities and ern prairiefringed orchid, plains colleges. spotted skunk, the Rich Mountain Oklahoma currently has 20 fed- slitmouth snail, Backman 's spar- erally-listed species; one species row, alligator snapping turtle and proposed for listing, and three spe- Arkansas River speckled chub." cies that are candidates for listing. Spring, 1997 Arkansas Basin Development Association 3 MONTGOME ID,Y POINT L CK IP' :111, AN"DAM IDS TO 111)E TAKEN

On April 6, 1997,the U.S. Army lock, dam crest gate dewatering sys- Corps ofEngineers issued a pre-so- tem,diversion channel,channel revet- licitation notice for bids on the Mont- ments,dikes, control tower and moor- gomery Point Lock and Dam Project ing area. to be constructed on the White River, The structure consists ofa 110-foot- Desha County, Arkansas. The work wide by 600-foot-long(usable climen- consists ofthe construction ofa new continued page 5

Arkansas River Shiner from page 1 in 19 counties, marking the major- In Kansas they have been lim- ity of the recoverable habitat. ited to approximately 15 miles of "A lot ofthe detail ofthe agree- river in two counties due to a lack ment is still to be worked out,"Duffy of water since New Mexico explained. "it is a long wayfrom dammed the Canadian River and being a settled issue. I would look reduced flows. At present, there for us to involve all stakeholders, is only one county with about 30 including the Oklahoma Conserva- river miles in New Mexico where tion Commission, the Oklahoma the shiner may be found. Water Resources Board, and par- Consequently, the present agree- ticularly the minnow dealers, who mentis limited to Texas and Oklahoma, seine the river to capture baitfish as holding the vast bulk of suitable to sell." habitat. In Texas this area covers ap- He said the agreement contains a proximately 165 river miles in five provision allowing the state to withdraw counties,down from 230 river miles in after giving the Fish and Wildlife Ser- the 1960s. The fish has also been vice 30 days notice. Without the foundin the Pecos River in Texas,but agreement,the Fish and Wildlife Ser- this is believed to be the result ofthe vice, on its own,could move to have shiner being artificially introduced along the Arkansas River Shiner declared an with release ofminnows and other bait endangered species under federal law. fish. Therefore,the Pecos is not being Ifthe fish is listed as an endangered covered by the agreement. species, the service could enforce In Oklahoma,the historical area regulations for its protection. of the shiner covered 42 counties The moratorium on listing species and 1,817 river miles. The cur- under the Endangered Species Act will rent area is 389 river miles located be lifted within the next month. 4 Arkansas Basin Development Association Spring, 1997

Interstate Committee Asks for More Money for River Work

In February,the Arkansas River for the Montgomery Point Lock Basin Interstate Committee and Dam project was included in the ("Committee") presented written U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FY testimony to the U.S. House and 1998 budget, a small portion ofthe Senate Appropriations Subcom- entire budget package the President mittees on Energy and Water Re- released February 6. Funds will be sources Development for fiscal used to finish building an access road year 1998. The Committee, com- and to provide a power supply to prised of members from the states the construction site, as well as to ofArkansas, Colorado, Kansas,and complete the lock and dam design. Oklahoma, is assisted each year by The project site is in Desha County, the Arkansas Basin Development Arkansas, on the White River about Association, Inc., in preparation of a halfmile from the Mississippi River. testimony from each state. Glen Arkansas Congr. Jay Dickey Cheatham,ABDA Executive Vice will try to get additional funding up President, compiles the testimonies to $25 million put into a 1998 spend- of each state and puts them in final ing bill, since the $10 million does form for presentation to the Con- not meet the needs laid out by the gress. Corps ofEngineers in its original es- The Clinton Administration asked timates from 1993. Congress for $10 million this year to The original $163 million esti- continue work on the Montgomery mate for the cost of the project has Point Lock and Dam at the mouth of increased more than $79 million the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River due to updates in the design and in Navigation System. Additionally, adjustments for inflation. Clinton asked for another $2 million The new lock and dam will en- to continue purchasing land along able the Corps ofEngineers to con- the McClellan-Kerr waterway, a trol sinking water levels in the en-, major passage for shipping goods trance channel to the McClellan- between the Midwest and the Mis- Kerr System, which have restricted sissippi River. water traffic an average of40 days The McClellan-Kerr System a year. Without the dam,the Corps winds through six counties in Okla- estimates the entrance channel will homa and 15 in Arkansas. Money be empty by 2030. Spring, 1997 Arkansas Basin Development Association 5 CALE I EVE TS

Sept. 17-19, 1997. Annual meeting, National Water- ways Conference, Inc., Doubletree Hotel/Post Oak, Houston, Texas. Contact: NWC,1130 17th Street, NW,Washington, D.C. 20036-4676; phone(202) 296-4415; FAX (202) 835-3861. Oct. 28-30, 1997. PIANC National Conference, Hilton Hotel, Wilmington,N.C. Jointly sponsored by the U.S. Section, Permanent International Association ofNavigation Congresses and the North Carolina State Ports authority. Contact: PIANC, (703)428-6286. Aug. 24-Sept. 2, 1998. Lock maintenance closure for Robert S. Kerr Lock, Oklahoma, and James W.Trimble Lock, Arkansas, on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Contact: Maintenance Engineering Section, Little Rock District,(501) 324-5742; Tulsa District,(918) 669-7386.

Newest members of the Arkansas Basin De- velopment Association, Inc., are: Mark K.Knoy, Marine Equipment Management Corp., Chester- field, Mo., and Thomas Moore, director, Port of Little Rock, Ark.

Bids from page 3 crest concrete overflow spillway. sion) miter-gated, U-frame concrete The estimated costs for the project lock,524 -foot concrete floating guide range from $100 to $250 million, with walls, a 300-foot-wide bottom lift an estimated time for completion of hinged-crest gated navigable pass con- 1,687 calendar'days. crete spillway (ten 30-foot-wide The Corps ofEngineers expects to . gates), and a 200-foot-wide fixed award a contract in early August 1997. 6 Arkansas Basin Development Association Spring, 1997

• WATERWAYSJOURNAL Off to Washington

Nelson Spencer,publisher ofthe also has joined the program. Waterway. s Journal,a national publi- Spencer is to be commended for cation linking the rivers and harbors of contributing to this service. Those the nation through extensive news cov- who travel to Washington are often sur- erage, has devised a plan that will aid prised at how uninformed many of individuals and groups who belong to the state delegations are when wa- the Inland Rivers,Ports and Terminals, terways problems are discussed. Inc.,to sponsor the subscription dues The program falls in line with the push ofthe weekly publication in order that by the National Waterways Confer- the Congress may receive the Journal. ence, Inc., to educate elected lead- For a nominal charge of$7.50 annual ers, the general public and students dues, your congressman can receive on the safe, economical,and energy- waterways news. efficient mode of inland waterway The Mississippi Water Resources transportation. Association has designated three to Is your state involved in this worth- receive the Journal and several Mis- while project? Ifnot, contactIRPT at sissippi members ofthe IRPT,Inc., (573) 634-2028 or the Waterways plan to sponsor the remaining four Journal at(314) 241-7354 for more Mississippi congressmen. Oklahoma information. PIANC National Conference Set

Alexandria, VA—The U.S. Sec- include presentations on deep-water tion,PIANC (Permanent International ports,inland waterways,the environ- Association of Navigation Confer- ment,and recreation navigation. ences) and the North Carolina State The conference organizers will ar- Ports Authority willjointly sponsor the range specially conducted technical 1997 PIANC National Conference tours of port and harbor facilities in from 28-30 October 1997 at the Hilton Wilmington and ofthe Battleship USS Hotel in Wilmington,North Carolina. North Carolina. For more information, The theme for this year's conference or to receive a registration package, is:"Critical Issues/Essential Solutions please contact: Waterways and Navigation: Ap- Office of U.S. Section, PIANC proaching the 21st Century." In addi- 7701 Telegraph Road Alexandria, VA 22315-3868 tion to general topics,the program will Tel:(703) 428-6286 • FAX:(703) 428-8171 Spring, 1997 . Arkansas Basin Development Association 7

Waterway Fact Sheet McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System

✓ 1996 was another record year for the McClellan-Kerr System. 11,712,885 tons were shipped on the system, edging out the previous record of 11,140,349 tons set in 1995.

4/ Commodities shipped included: 1,781,168 tons of chemical fertil- izer; 169,400 tons of other chemicals; 313,342 tons of coke and coal; 1,278,897 tons of miscellaneous materials (includes cement, bldg. inate- rials, forest products and misc.); 512,632 tons offarm products; 4,295,994 tons of sand, gravel & rock; 902,831 tons of iron & steel; 399,797 tons of petroleum products; 1,286,500 tons of wheat; and 772,324 tons of soy- beans.

✓ The 11,712,885 tons shipped on the McClellan-Kerr System are equivalent (in tons) to: 7,809 barges, 117,135 railcars, or 452,922 semi trucks.

✓ 1996 visitation figures for the five Corps-operated projects on the system in Oklahoma were 1,760,267 visitors. 8,584,893 visitors took advantage of the 12 navigation recreation areas in Arkansas. Figures include campgrounds, parks, boat ramps, reservoirs/pools, hiking trails, etc.

✓ Boat registrations continue to rise in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Boats (including non-commercial passenger, commercial passenger and commercial fishing) registered with the Motor Vehicle Divisions of each state's Tax Commission were: 178,185 in Arkansas; 216,767 in Okla- homa. In 1996, 3,900 canoes registered with the Oklahoma Scenic Riv- ers Commission.

✓ In 1996,2,941 recreational vessels locked through Oklahoma's five locks compared to 2,066 in 1995. 15,470 recreation vessels locked through Arkansas' 12 locks in 1996 compared to 9,895 in 1995. Attention drawn to the navigation system during its 25th anniversary celebration may have played a role in the increase in recreational activity on the System. 8 Arkansas Basin Development Association Spring, 1997

Arthur Graham "Bill" Hays, 77, died Feb. 14, 1997, in Muskogee, Okla. A longtime member and former chairman of the Muskogee City-County Port Authority, Bill was a respected member of Muskogee's business and civic community. Hays was appointed to the Muskogee Port Authority Aug. 13, 1971, and served until his death. He was instrumental in the growth and development of the port.

Marie Crosbie Kirkpatrick, 96, passed away Jan. 1, 1997, in Tulsa, Okla. Mrs. Kirkpatrick's late husband, Glade Kirkpatrick, was a longtime member and officer of the ABDA and Mississippi Valley Association. Glade Kirkpatrick was a visionary of inland waterway trans- portation to Tulsa and instrumental in obtaining approval and fund- ing for construction of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navi- gation System and was an inductee of the Arkansas River His- torical Society Hall of Fame. One of the towboats owned by the Tulsa Port of Catoosa is named the "Glade Kirkpatrick." Kirkpatrick's daughter, Kay Inhofe, is the wife of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe of Tulsa.

Bruce Raines, 57, Tulsa, passed away April 24, 1997. Raines, former president and director of F&M Bank & Trust Co., was a past vice chairman and director of the Arkansas River Historical Society and the Arkansas Basin Development Association, Inc. He played an integral part in the development of the Tulsa Port of . Catoosa, serving as chairman for the $20-million bond campaign. Raines was a past president and director of the Propeller Club of Tulsa; served as a member of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce; and was a manager of the Commerce Business-Gov- ernment division ofthe Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, where he later served on the board of directors and executive committee.

Marcus R. Tower, 76, Tulsa, died Jan. 16, 1997. Tower was a past president of the ABDA,and was the longest serving mem- ber of the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority. A 29-year member ofthe board,Tower was originally appointed by Tulsa Mayor Spring, 1997 Arkansas Basin Development Association 9 Deaths

Jim Maxwell and reappointed consecutively by six other mayors. An active pursuant in the development of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System since 1957, Tower remained a prominent force in lobbying support for the effort to build the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. Tower, retired vice chairman of the Bank of Oklahoma, served on the first port board formed on Jan. 21, 1963, and was present at the first meeting held ten days later at the Will Rogers Hotel in Claremore. Tower was a 1996 inductee into the Arkansas River Historical Society Hall of Fame. The Marcus R. Tower Administration Building at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa was dedicated in his honor in 1993.

Dr. Francis Tuttle, 76, Stillwater, Okla., passed away Feb. 12, 1997. Dr. Tuttle, the architect of Oklahoma's vocational-techni- cal education system, was recognized nationally and internation- ally as an expert on vo-tech education. Shortly after his retirement from the Oklahoma State Depart- ment of Vocational-Technical Education in 1986, then-Gov. George Nigh appointed him director of the state's Economic De- velopment Department and later appointed him the state's Secre- tary of Commerce. During his tenure as director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Tuttle facilitated the birth of the Waterways Division — the first state-level office for Oklahoma's inland waterway in dustry. Later transferred by the legislature to the Oklahoma De- partment of Transportation, the Waterways Branch continues to work with Oklahoma's ports, terminals, shippers and users of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Carol King, editor of the ABDA Newsletter, had the pleasure of working for Dr. Francis Tuttle at the State Department of Vo- Tech and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. "He was a great teacher, leader andfriend. He will be missed."

Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends. 10 Arkansas Basin Development Association Spring, 1997 0 0 0 eo le! eople! eople!

Richard A."Dick" Voth has been named operations manager and deputy port director at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa effective Jan. 1, 1997. He succeeds Bob Leise, who recently retired. Voth comes to the Tulsa Port of Catoosa from Brent Transporta- tion Corp., Greenville, Miss., where he served as the company's president. Brent is an inland river barge company operating 24 towboats and 77 tank barges carrying liquid fertilizer solutions, petroleum products and anhydrous ammonia on 7,500 miles of waterways. Prior to his 15 years with Brent, Voth worked for the Union Pacific Railroad where he held several positions before being named Kansas operating division financial manager. Barry McKuin of Morrilton, Ark., has been appointed by Gov. Mike Huckabee to serve on the Arkansas Waterways Commis- sion. He was appointed to represent the Arkansas River Basin and succeeds W.E. Ayres ofPine Bluff. McKuin is a past-president of the Arkansas Basin Association and initial chairman ofthe Coalition for Montgomery Point Lock and Dam. A member ofthe ABDA, Inc., McKuin retired as executive vice president of Winrock Farms, Inc., at Morrilton. Derrill Pierce,Pine Bluff, has been elected president ofthe Arkansas-Oklahoma Port Operators Association. Others elected were Dick Barsness, Oklahoma, vice president; Eric Lind, Arkansas, secretary; and Steve Taylor, Oklahoma,treasurer. Arkansas board members are Stribling Boynton,Thomas Murphree, Dennis Oakley and Paul Revis. Oklahoma board Spring, 1997 Arkansas Basin Development Association 11 members are John Pearson, Scott Robinson, Steve Savage and Ted Stapp. Duane A. Smith was -named executive director by the nine- member Oklahoma Water Resources Board on April 8. Smith's appointment fills the vacancy created by the resigna- tion of Gary L. Sherrer, who accepted a position with (AMO,1. a regional power company headquartered in Vinita, Okla. • Smith was appointed assistant director in 1991 after serving as division chief in the Water Board's Groundwater Division since 1983. As assistant director, he had responsibility in management ofthe agency's four divisions and four branch offices, the Financial Assistance Program and the agency's $13.5 million budget. He played a major role in the relocation of the OWRB offices and the resumption of services following the April 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Three Arkansans will be inducted to the 1997 Arkansas Outdoor Hall ofFame. The Duane A. Smith Outdoor Hall of Fame began in 1992 as a project of the Arkan- sas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and Ducks Unlimited to recognize Arkansans' achievements in outdoor fields and to protect wildlife habitat. Inducted Saturday, Oct. 3, will be: Cotton Cordell, Hot Springs; Kay Kelley Arnold, Heber Springs; and Gene Rush,. "an Arkansas hill country boy." For more inform.atiOn on the Outdoor Hall of Fame,contact Steve Smith,(501) 223-6 .396. WATER RESOURCE ARKANSAS BASIN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION VOICE TOR THE Bulk Rate ARKANSAS RIVER RUIN NEWSLETTER of the P. 0. BOX 1194 • Owosso, OK 74055-1194 U.S. Postage A3DA Arkansas Basin Development Association (918)838-9933 • FAX (918)832-9074 PAID ARKANSAS COLORADO Permit No. KANSAS MISSOURI 928 OKLAHOMA ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Tulsa, OK The Newsletter of tho Arkansas Basin Development Asso- ciation is a quarterly publication with a distribution of 3,000. . The Arkansas Rivor Basin is comprised of the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri,and Oklahoma. It is tho purpose of the ABDA to promote the conservation and devel- opment of the Arkansas River and its tributaries to satisfy the basin's needs for flood control, navigation, water supply, recreation, hydroelectric powor generation, and fish and wild- life. AMA Officers

Scott Robinson Chairman of the Board Gerald H. Holman President Paul N. Revis First Vice Presidont Frank Milenski, Conservancy D: George H. Wes SOW:1101y Colorado Water John Pearson TTOOSUCCIT S.E. Glen L Choc:thorn, Jr. Executivo Vico President Road BB 23064 CO 81050 Thomas Moore Arkansas Vice President Junta Steve Arvoschoug/Ray Nixon Colorado Vico Prosidonts La Frank W. Liobert Kansas Vico President Clark King Oklahoma Vico Prosidont

Address all editorial submissions, momborship inquir- ies, address corrections, and other correspondence to: Editor, Arkansas Basin Developmont Association, P.O.Box1194,0wasso, OK 711055-1194,(918) 838-9933, rAX (918)832-9074. Carol King, Editor °Member, NATIONAL WATERWAYS CONFERENCE, INC. ARKANSAS BASIN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SUITE 407. ADAMS OFFICE BUILDING 403 SOUTH CHEYENNE AVENUE TULSA. OKLAHOMA 74103 918/584-8773

December 22, 1986

Mr. Charles L. Thomson vATER RESOURCE SE Colorado Water Consv. Dist. DICE FOR THE P.O. Box 440 11KANSAS RIVER BASIN Pueblo, CO 81002

Dear Tommy:

We thank you most sincerely for your check in payment of SE liKANSAS Colorado Water Consv. Dist.;s membership dues for 1987. I am OLORADO ANSAS extremely grateful to you for your support, both financial and liSSOURI continue to be KLAHOMA moral. It will, of course, help the Association effectively engaged in the battle for water resource development in the Arkansas River Basin.

Your continued support is highly valued, appreciated and necessary to the success of ABDA: There is still much to do and we are glad you will be a part of the effort in the months to come.

Sincerely yours,

Tom W. Jolly Executive Vice President

FRANK W CHITWOOD Chairnian of the Board E.L MORRIS. President CHARLES rs. MECKFESSEL First Vice Preside, HOWARD 'r;BORNE Secretory Treasurer TOM W olive Vic. PreSident. RECEIVE;

UNITED STATES SENAT FEB 2 IBM WASHINGTON, D. C. 2051 JAMES ABDNOR 17,20:36TEN COLORADO SOUTH DAKOTA COROVANCY °Mier January 20, 1987

Mr. Charles L. Thomson, General Manager Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Box 440 Pueblo, Colorado 81002

Dear Tommy:

Thanks for your very kind letter concerning my "Water States- man of the Year" award and the President's announcement that he intends to name me to head the Small Business Administra- tion.

SBA is a challenging opportunity For mc and I'm eagerly awaiting Senate confirmation so I can begin. I am con- vinced the agency continues to have a vital role to play and I want to do everything I can to assure its success .

Again, my thanks for writing.

ncerely, gAnti4," ABI)NOR •- tri TL • t. • 14= APR 29 1991 r======.1 4;414:11aLztaallsI1701

1111,SA PORT OF CATOOSA ".• AO WATER McCIELLAN-KERR ARKANSAS RIVER NAVIGATION SYSTEM ,,sCY DISTRICT

CITY OF TULSA — ROGERS COUNTY April 25, 1991 PORT AUTHORITY

OFFICERS:

EDWARD F. KELLER Tulsa Chairman msmianiudis camsa Mr. Charles L. Thomson, Chairman Vice Chairman Arkansas River Basin Interstate Committee CHARLES G. MECKFESSFI Tulsa a/0 S. E. Colorado Water Conservancy District Secretary•Treasurer P. O. Box 440 MEMBERS' Pueblo, CO 81002

JOHN M. BAGBY Claremore Dear Tommy: RomuFsosT Tulsa

JAMES M. HEWGLEY, JR. You clearly are a statesman and scholar. It is Tulsa always a privilege and honor for me to be with you on our RomFITELowroN Tulsa trips to Washington and/or at our ABDA meetings. Your CLEM McSPADDEN ability to clearly articulate your thoughts in a concise, Chelsea warm and friendly manner has and will always be an JON R. STUART Tulsa inspiration to me. Furthermore, your ability to maintain MARCUS R. TOWER your external cool composure under unorganized and Tulsa unexpected appearances by members of Congress coincident EXECUTIVE with your testimony is simply impressive. Thanks for DEPARTMENT: honoring us with your impressive and smooth delivery, Mr. ROBERT W. PORTISS Port Director Chairman! W. H. THOMAS Deputy Port Director Thanks again, Tommy.

Sincerely,

11 t— 4 Robert . iss Port Director

RWP:cjs

5350 CIMARRON ROAD • CATOOSA. OK 74015 • (918) 266-2291 • FAX (918) 266-7678 WATER RESOURCE e VOICE FOR THE ,4 ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN NEW..SLETTER • I of the,, c-4., 0,0'4 t" Basin DOelojiM;e:ntl.Ass cu Arkansas „.. ARKANSAS COLORADO KANSAS *Volume 6, Number 2 Fall/Winter 1994 MISSOURI 1ABDAOKLAHOMA Death Claims ABDA Preside ) Tommy Thomson

A bright star shining upon the River Basin in Colorado, on Dec. Arkansas and Colorado Rivers 12, 1966 and served in that posi- was dimmed re- tion until his cently. ABDA death. One of President the many activi- Charles L. ties of the dis- "Tommy" trict has been Thomson, sponsorship of Pueblo, Colo., the $555 million passed away Fryingpan-Ar- Oct.25, not long kansas Project. after being diag- In 1969 he was nosed with can- appointed by cer. Thomson Governor John was 70 years A. Love to be old. one of five men Thomson was to represent on the appointed gen- COlorado five-state Arkan- eral manager of sas River Basin Southeast- the Interstate Com- ern Colorado mittee, which Water Conser- Charles L. "Tommy Thomson" represents the vancy District, states of Arkansas, which represents water users in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and nine counties in the Arkansas continuodpage2 Page 2 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • FalINVinter 1994 • • Colorado on water resource mat- gineers,(presented at a dedica- ters. Five members from each tion ceremony of the Fountain state are appointed by their re- Creek Flood Control Project) and spective Governors. Thomson the U.S. Department of Interior served as chairman of the Com- "Citizen Award," presented by mittee in 1974, 1988, and 1994. the Hon. Manuel Lujan, Secre- Thomson served as vice presi- tary of Interior, and the Hon. dent of the Arkansas Basin Devel- Dennis Underwood, commis- opment Association, Inc., and was sioner, U.S. Bureau of Recla- awarded an Honorary Life Mem- mation. Secretary Lujan said bership in 1976. He was elected the award is the highest public president of the ABDA on Feb.24, award given by the Bureau of 1994. Reclamation and was presented While a member of the seven- in recognition of Thomson's state Colorado River Water Users work with committees of Con- Association,Thomson was elected gress and federal agencies, par- to the Board of Directors in 1977. ticularly in seeing the Frying pan- The Association represents all Arkansas Project from inception types of water users in the states to completion. of Utah,Wyoming, Colorado, New Thomson was elected chairman Mexico,Arizona, Nevada and Cali- of the Board of Directors of the fornia. He served as vice presi- fifty-state Water Resources Con- dent in 1985 and president in 1987. gress in 1978. In 1992, he was In 1988,Thomson had the distinct confirmed as an honored member honor of appearing before com- in "Who's Who in the West." In mittees of Congress as president 1993 he was awarded the re- of the Colorado Water Users As- spected "Citizen of the Year for sociation and as chairman of the 1992" by the Pueblo Chamber of Arkansas River Basin Interstate Commerce. In 1993, Governor Committee — the first time one Roy Romer appointed him to the person has served in both capaci- Colorado Water Conservation ties. At its 44th Annual Meeting in Board. 1989, the CRWUA elected Charles L. "Tommy" Thomson to an unprecedented Thomson will be missed. Many third term as president of the As- lives were enriched by knowing sociation. Tommy. His unflagging dedication • Among his numerous awards to the development of the Arkan- for outstanding service,those that sas and Colorado Rivers will be stand out the most are: the U.S. remembered for years. Tommy's Department of the Army "Com- shoes will be hard to fill. • manders Award for Public Ser- Our thoughts and prayers are vice," awarded by BrigadierGen- with his wife, Helen, and three eral Robert C.Lee; Division Com- children - Katherine, Karen and mander, U.S. Army Corps of En- Larry. Fall/Winter 1994 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Page 3 Cheatham Attends P.rinering Conference Hosted by Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engi- federal agencies, and flood con- neers hosted a conference in Or- trol and environmental organiza- lando, Fla. on Nov. 1 and 2, 1994, tions. in an effort to hear the pros and Lt. Gen. Arthur E. Williams, cons of its business savvy from Chief of Engineers, said "the pur- users and partners of the 25,000 pose of the conference was to miles of inland waterways in the share some changes on the hori- U.S. zon and primarily to give partici- Sixty plus participants from over pants an opportunity to let the 20 states took the opportunity to Corps know how partners and tax- express the pros and cons of the payers can baserved.” way the Corps conducts business. Dr. John H. Zirschky, acting Information from the conference Assistant Secretary of the Army will be considered as the Corps, for Civil Works, expressed the im- restructures. portance of increasing the return Glen L. Cheatham, Jr., the on investment by restructuring ABDA's executive vice president, and improving processes using attended the conference as a rep- input provided by participants. resentative of the Inland Rivers Partnering case studies were Ports and Terminals, Inc. presented by representatives Cheatham serves as first vice from Ingram Barge Lines, the president of IRPT and Is the man- Southeastern Power Administra- ager of the Waterways Branch of tion, the Lower:Mississippi Valley the Oklahoma Department of Flood Control Association, and Transportation. the Wildlife Management Institute. Attendees included represen- Tentative dates in March 1995. tatives from inland waterways have been set for regional con- and waterways users groups, ferences for the Lower Mississippi port authorities, local, state and Valley Division.

Did You Know . . . that Oklahoma proudly claims more manmade lakes than any other state and 2,000 more miles of shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined? Total shoreline in Oklahoma: 5,225 miles. Page 4 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Fall/Winter 1994

TULSA FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT RECEIVES NATIONAL FitNOR

By Mary Beth Hudson, Tulsa District

The Mingo Creek MS5A and project, had high goals. They MS5C Water Detention Sites built wanted an ecologically sensitive by the Corps were named as one design which would blend into the of the ten top U.S. engineering neighborhood. They wanted to achievements of 1993 by the Na- improve stormwat.er quality and tional Society of Professional En- maintain existing wetlands where gineers. possible. And they wanted the Richard Bilinski, Programs facilities easy to maintain. and Project Management Division The result? (PPMD), and Stan Rohr, Engi- —Detention sites which are both neering and Construction Divi- flood control and recreational fa- sion, represented the Tulsa Dis- cilities linked by maintenance trict at the awards ceremony held trails suitable for jogging and bi- in Tucson, Ariz. cycling; The District and Tulsa worked —A permanent lake stocked with together to provide detention sites fish in the detention structure which were more than just large which improves stormwater qual excavated holes to catch flood ity and provides recreational op- waters. portunities, fish and wildlife habi- So many District people were tat and wetlands restoration; involved in the Mingo project that —A reinforced concrete "trickle- it would be impossible to name trail' channel which serves as a them all, but Bilinski said the late low-flow trickle channel, a hiking Larry Redford deserves men- and bicycling path, and gives ac- tion. "Larry was a master. Only cess for maintenance vehicles; through his artful negotiations and was this possible." —Preservation of the last 17 Redford's contributions did not acres of bottomland hardwood in go,unnoticed. Approval was re- the Mingo Creek basin. ceived from the City to rename All this was accomplished at a MS5C the "L.H. Redford Site." reduced project cost. Latest fig- Redford was the Chief of PPMD ures show the entire Mingo Creek when he died Aug. 27, 1993. Detention Project to be about $30 The city and Corps teams, million less than originally antici- which joined to complete the pated. Fall/Winter 1994. • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Page 5

NWC REELECTS CHRISTENSEN AS CHAIRMAN

At the National Waterways of Directors, and eight new Conference's Annual Meeting in members were named to the September in New Orleans, W. Executive Committee: Glen L. Richard Christensen was re- Cheatham, Jr., of the Okla-. elected to another term as board homa Department of Transpor- chairman. He is a former tation; Christopher J. Brescia Ashland Petroleum Company of MARC 2000; John R. vice president who is now a con- Dobrzynski of the Chicago sultant. All other officers, includ- Board of Trade; Peter E. ing Vice Chairman Robert W. Hubbard of the Midland Enter- Portiss, director of the Tulsa prises; Scott McGeorge of Pine Port of Catoosa, won new Bluff Sand and Gravel Com- terms. Frank G. Martin, Jr., ex- pany; Craig E. Philip of Ingram ecutive director of the Indiana Barge Company; William G. Port Commission, Indianapolis, Schmidt, Jr., of Bunge Corpo- was elected as the other vice ration; and Robert J. Vigna of president. Ashland Oil, Inc. Sixteen new members were Tulsa will host the 1995 An- elected to the 75-member Board nual Meeting. ALABAMA STURGEON PROPOSAL DROPPED The Department of the Interior Over the past eighteen months, announced on Dec. 5 it was with- 4,000 plus written comments have drawing its controversial proposal been submitted to the Fish and to list the Alabama sturgeon as an Wildlife Service, 1,200 plus Ala- endangered species, due to lack of bama citizens have attended two evidence that the Alabama stur- public hearings, and officials from geon still exists in the wild. Mollie local, state and federal entities from Beattie, director of the U.S. Fish Alabama and Mississippi have and Wildlife Service said, "If any mounted a massive campaign op- fish are found, the Endangered posing the proposed listing. The Species Act provides the flexibility Alabama-Tombigbee Rivers Coa- to list them on an emergency ba- lition maintained that endangered sis." continued page 18 Page 6 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Fall/Winter 1994

The Arkansas River Historical The Hall of Fame is a tribute Society inducted eight men into to the perserverence of the men its "Hall of Fame" in ceremonies being inducted because they held May 12 in Tulsa. The in- refused to abandon their belief duction ceremony was held in that navigation on the Arkansas conjunction with the Twenty- River was feasible. fourth Annual Navigation Con- Four of the honorees are liv- ference sponsored by the Tulsa ing and accepted their awards and Little Rock Districts of the in person. They were Jacques Army Corps of Engineers, the Cunningham, Tulsa; Harold Arkansas-Oklahoma Port Op- Scoggins, Muskogee; Frank

Recipients of the Hall of Fame Award are (left to right) Frank Liebert; Wayne Bennett; Norman Cass, nephew of Early Cass; Harold Scoggins; Mrs. Carl (Jane) Lucky, Jr., daughter of Emmett Sanders; Jacques Cunningham; Mrs. A. V. Ormond; and Mrs. Miriam Ostroff, daughter of C. A. "Charley" Border. erators Association and the Wa- Liebert, Kansas; and Wayne terways Advisory Board of the Bennett, Arkansas. Oklahoma Department of Trans- Other Oklahomans inducted portation. were C.A. "Charley" Border Fall/Winter 1994 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Page 7

and Early R. Cass, both de- ABA and served for 42 years as ceased. Border's daughter, a board member, treasurer and Miriam Ostroff, of Portland president. His interest in im- Ore., accepted his award. Cass' proving the Arkansas River be- nephew, Norman Cass, ac- gan in 1927 when he spent most cepted his uncle's award. of the night sandbagging the Other Arkansas inductees levee, which later broke. Call- were• Arthur V. Ormond, ing himself a "river rat," he trav- Morrilton, and Emmett Sand- eled to Washington, D.C., many ers, Pine Bluff, both deceased. times to testify before Congress Mrs. Ormond accepted her in efforts to tame the river. husband's award. Mrs. Carl Ormond was cited by the U.S. (Jane) Lucky, Jr., accepted her Army for patriotic service and father's award. assistance to the Little Rock Charles W. Maynard, of Little Engineers District. The citation Rock and chairman of the read, in part, "His untiring efforts Society's Hall of Fame commit- were of major importance to the tee, read the citation for each ultimate and successful comple- honoree. The inductees are: tion of the McClellan-Kerr Ar- WAYNE BENNETT, Lonoke, kansas River Navigation Sys- Ark. Bennett is a farmer who. tem." has supported the Arkansas EMMETT SANDERS, de- River Navigation Project for ceased, Pine Bluff, Ark. Sand- many years. He has been a ers was a pioneer in the devel- board member of the Arkansas opment of the McClellan-Kerr Basin Association (ABA) and Arkansas River Navigation Sys- served a multi-year term. as tem. His interest in the river president. He served on the project began after the 1927 Arkansas River Basin Interstate flood. A long-time member and Committee for many years, at- past president of the ABA, which tending Congressional hearings was formed in the 1930s to pro- in support of appropriations for mote the development of the the navigation system. He is an river, Sanders was the first chair- advocate of removing salt from man of what is known today as the Arkansas River and has sup- the Pine Bluff-Jefferson County ported studies for its reduction. Port Authority. He was instru- He is an active soybean, rice mental in the planning and devel- and wheat farmer in Jefferson opment of the Harbor Industrial County. District, which brought hundreds ARTHUR V. ORMOND, de- of jobs and waterborne com- ceased, Morrilton, Ark. He merce to the area. was one of the founders of the continued page 8 Page 10 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Fail/Winter 1994 ABDA CO-SPONSORS ANNUAL INSPECTION TOUR

Months of planning and Many were prepared for pos- hard work paid off for the sible showers. committee tasked with orga- Pushed by the MV Shorty nizing Inspection Tour '94 Baird, the workhorse of the on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps Arkansas River Fleet, the Corps of Engineers Tulsa Di's- tow toured the Port of Catoosa, trict and with pre- twenty sentations co-spon- by Col. SO rs. Otis Will Reserva- tions were 1 Tulsa Dis- made for trict Engi- 4 5 0 neer, and guests for Bob Por-. the fish fry tiss, and barge C6toosa's ride - the Port Direc- Inspection Tour'94 guests - some 350 strong - pre- pare to lock through at Newt Grahm Lock on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. largest number to respond since tor. Passengers looked on as the event's inception. The Tulsa 646 tons of disassembled refin- Port of Catoosa served as this ery heater equipment were year's host. loaded aboard a giant ocean-- The tour is a yearly educa- going barge destined for Ven- tional event designed to acquaint ezuela. business and industry with the The tow then headed south, capabilities of the navigation sys- passing port facilities at lnola tem and shipping by inland wa- and Wagoner. Presentations terway. were given on Johnston's Port Over 350 guests arrived be- 33 and Apex Oil Company at fore 7:00 on the morning of lnola and Eastern Oklahoma Oct. 6 to board the Corps' cli- Export Elevator at Wagoner. mate-controlled deck barge. continued page 11 Fall/Winter 1994 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Page 11 Guests watched in amazement as the tow "locked through" at Newt Graham Lock. The pro- cess is remarkable, yet simple. The tow entered the lock chamber and the gates closed from behind. The water level in the chamber slowly dropped and upon reaching the sufficient Col. Otis Williams and Earl Groves, Tulsa Dis- level, the gates in front of trict, answer questions about the navigation system for Linda Powell (front left), owner of the tow opened and the Molly's Landing at Catoosa, and Tulsa County vessel was lowered Sheriff Stanley Glanz (far right). downstream. Following lunch, the tow arrived at Chouteau Lock, where 350 wind- blown passengers exited the barge and boarded buses for the return trip r to the Port of Catoosa.

Thank you, sponsors. continued page 12 Clear skies prevailed and guests Dick Albert, Jon Stuart(Chairman of the City of Tulsa-Rog- ers County Port Authority), Gene Quarles, and Stanley Glanz enjoy their tour of the McClellan- Kerr.

Long-time associates Ed Patterson, Charlie Thornton and Catoosa Port Authority member.(and former Tulsa Mayor) Jim Hewgley in- spect the navigation sys- tem. Page 12 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Fail/Winter 1994

Sponsors of the 1994 Inspection Tour Tulsa District

. continued from page 11 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Apex Oil Co. Arkansas Basin Development Association, Inc. Agricultural Minerals Corp. Catoosa Fertilizer Terminal Frontier Terminal & Trading Co. Guthrie Corporation •HTB HUB + Garver Johnson Allen Jones & Dornblaser Johnston Enterprises Koch Materials, Inc. Mid-Continent Fuel Co. National Petroleum Sales, Inc. Peavey Co. Port of Muskogee Southern Missouri Oil Co. Story and Associates Tuloma Stevedoring, Inc. Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa Port of Catoosa Waterways Advisory Board, Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Joe Howell, long-time transportation writer for the Tulsa Tribune and Arkansas River Hall of Famer, visits with Larry Levy, writer for the Tulsa Business Journal. Fall/Winter 1994 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Page 13 Politically'Speaking

✓ Indiana Congr. John T. tion vacant since January 1993. Myers will take over the chair- Dr. John Zirschky, Deputy As- manship of the House Appro- sistant Secretary since February priations Subcommittee on En- 1994 and also the Acting Sec- ergy and Water Development. retary, is in need of a boss. Alabama Congr. Tom Bevill V The nation's barge and tow- has held the post the last 18 ing industry and its chief spokes- years. Myers is a past president man, the American Waterways of the Lower Mississippi Valley Operators, received a bipartisan Flood Control Association. pat on the back recently from ✓ Oregon Sen. Mark 0. Reps. W.J. (Billy) Tauzin(D -La.) Hatfield, a long-time waterway and Howard Coble (R-N.C.). advocate, will replace Louisi- In its Dec. 12 issue, The Wa- ana Sen. J. Bennett Johnston terways Journal reported that the as chairman of the Senate Ap- two congressmen said in a joint propriations Subcommittee oh statement recalling the AWO's Energy and Water Develop- 50th anniversary, that the indus- ment. try "is the most productive, fuel ef- ✓ Change your rolodex card ficie nt, and environmentally on Oklahoma Congr. James friendly method of moving the raw M. Inhofe. Inhofe was elected materials vital to our nation. The to the U.S. Senate, filling a va- industry provides direct employ- cancy created by the departure ment for approximately 180,000 of Sen. David L. Boren, who re- American citizens.' cently took the reins as Presi- Noting that the barge industry dent of the University of Okla- has its roots in America's early homa. Sen. Inhofe's father-in- flatboats and paddle-wheelers, law was the late Glade R. Kirk- the two congressmen said that patrick, a water pioneer who today's towing vessels and devoted 50-plus years to water- barges "superseded these boats resources development in Okla- and now comprise an industry that homa and the nation. moves more than 15 percent of ✓ The country still does not the nation's freight for less than 2 have an Assistant Secretary of percent of the nation's transpor- the Army (Civil Works)- a posi- tation costs." Page 14 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Fall/Winter 1994 Mohawk Panelized Heaters Shipped Through Port of Catoosa

CATOOSA, Okla. — A giant used the services of Mohawk for ocean-going barge visited the Tulsa the actual fabrication. Port of Catoosa in October to take The barge, owned by Tidewater on 646 tons of disassembled refin- Marine in Harvey, La., measured ery heater equipment destined for 72 feet wide and 240 feet long — Venezuela. over 2-1/2 times the size of the The equipment, manufactured in barges normally used on the river. Tulsa by Mohawk Steel Co., con- Two 900-horsepower towboats, sisted of two vertical cylindrical one at the front and one at the rear, panelized heaters, convection were used to propel it. units, ducts, stacks, and associated From Catoosa, the barge trav- items such as ladders and platform eled to Morgan City, La., where the sections. The cylinders were two towboats were replaced with sectionalized in quarters for ship- one 3,500-horsepower tugboat for ping. the 11-day journey across the Gulf Bechtel International was con- of Mexico. tracted by Maraven S.A., a subsid- Loading a barge this size, which iary of Petroleus de Venezuela,the is too large to fit between the face parent company of Tulsa-based of the dock and channel support Citgo,to design and build the heater piers of the Port's 200-ton travel- units. Bechtel contracted with ing bridge crane, posed no prob- Petro-Chem Development Co. who lems for Tuloma Stevedoring. They simply lifted the mate- rial over the side of the dock with "Big Red," a derrick crane ac- quired by the Port less than a year ago specifically for this type load- .*: out.

The towboat Augusta, owned by Tidewater Towing Co., steadies a giant72 ft. x 240 ft. ocean-going barge against the general dry cargo dock at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. The vessel .was loaded with refinery heater equipment manu- factured by Mohawk Steel in Tulsa and destined for Venezuela. Fall/Winter 1994 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Page 15 UNIT RIG TRUCKS SHIPPED TO PHILIPPINES FROM PORT OF CATOOSA

CATOOSA, Okla. - Six giant The partially assembled trucks, Lectra Haul MT-3700 quarry built in Tulsa by Unit Rig, a Divi- trucks destined for MarCopper sion of TEREX Corp., were trans- Mining Corp. in the Philippines ported to the Port on flatbed trail- were loaded into barges at the ers. They were combined with

Port of Catoosa employee Todd Wion is dwarfed by giant Lectra Haul trucks awaiting shipment to the Philippines at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. Tulsa Port of Catoosa during the wheels, tires and dump bodies week of Oct. 24. The barges trav- before the Port's 200-ton bridge eled to New Orleans where the crane lowered them into waiting trucks were transferred- mid- barges. Each of the completed stream onto an ocean-going ves- trucks will measure 24 feet 3 sel. inches (7.4 m) wide, 41 feet 10 Each truck weighs 266,517 inches (12.7 m)long, and 22 feet •pounds (120,869 kg) empty and 9 inches (6.9 m) high. has a carrying capacity of 205 .According to Rob Giebel, Unit tons. Six more trucks will be Rig president, the Port of Ca- ready for shipment to Marcopper toosa is very important to the in April. continued page 16 Page 16 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Fail/Winter 1994 1995 Calendar of Events

Jan. 9. Hearing on Missouri River Master Water Control Plan, 4H Bldg. at the Fairgrounds on Highway 75, Auburn, Neb. For more information, contact Paul Johnston,(402) 697-2552. Jan. 18. Hearing on Missouri River Master Water Control Plan, Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, La. For more information, contact Paul Johnston,(402) 697-2552. Apr. 4-6. Inland Rivers Ports and Terminals, Inc., annual meet- ing, St. Louis, Mo. Sept. 5-14. Scheduled unwatering for lock maintenance at Ozark and Dardanelle Locks in Arkansas. Sept. 27-29. National Waterways Conference, Inc., annual meeting, Adam's Mark Hotel, Tulsa, Okla.

UNIT RIG TRUCKS continued from page 15 continued success of their com- "We have a saying around here," pany. "By doing the final assem- quipped Giebel,"the sun never sets bly at the Port, we are able to ship on a Unit Rig truck. completed trucks all the way to the "Our trucks go where trucks don't Philippines by water. All the cus- go," he continued. "For instance, tomer has to do is start them up and these trucks are going to a small drive them off. island. All that's there is a roll-on "Without the Port, we would have roll-off dock and one telephone line. had to ship these to the Gulf by That's it. It's one of the most iso- truck or rail. Because of their size, lated places you can imagine." they would have had to be partially According to Giebel, the outlook disassembled. Big equipment like for the surface mining equipment this is not meant to be put together, business is good. New trucks are taken apart and put together again. being built bigger and more effi- Ideally, once it's built, it should stay cient. One new 250-ton unit can that way. replace four old 100-ton trucks and "The disassembly procedure have a 30-year life expectancy. would have added substantially to With new markets continually the total cost of the trucks. Ship- opening for the company's prod- ping completed units was a big sav- ucts, Unit Rig's current goal is 100 ings for the customer." trucks per year. Many of these will Unit Rig surface mining equip- undoubtedly travel through the ment is used all over the world. Port. Fall/Winter 1994 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Page 17 January Hearings Set for Missouri River Master Water Plan

The Missouri River Engineer statement the Corps has pro- Division has added two more posed as its "preferred alterna- public meetings to discuss the tive" for revision of the Missouri proposed plan for operation of the River Master Water Control dams on the Missouri River. The Manual. 21 public meetings on meetings will be held in Auburn, the EIS have been held by the Neb., on Jan. 9, and New Or- Corps throughout the Missouri leans, La., on Jan. 18. River Basin in September and The Corps proposal has been October. More than 3,000 people opposed by commercial naviga- attended the meetings; 543 made tion and other downstream inter- public statements. ests, who say it will kill barge Written comments on the Plan transportation on the Missouri are being accepted through River altogether and disrupt ship- March 1 by the Corps and can be ping on the middle Mississippi mailed to: Missouri River Division River during low-water periods. # Engineer, 12565 West Center The two meetings will be part Road, Omaha, Neb. 68144-3869. of the public comment period on For more information, contact the draft environmental impact Paul Johnston,(402) 697-2552. PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has named Jerry Brabander to head its Oklahoma Ecological Services State Office in Tulsa., Brabander, who has been with the federal agency since 1978, sUcceeds Stephen Forsythe, who transferred to Washington, D.C. Brabander will supervise a 17-member staff responsible for wildlife con- servation issues and programs, environmental contaminant research ?ncl investigation, wetlands conservation and private lands habitat enhance- ment. *** Four Arkansans have been inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame. George Purvis, Bobby Murray, Charlie Craig and the late Jane Stern were honored during ceremonies held Nov. 5 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. • continued page 18 Page 18 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • .Fall/Winter 1994

Alabama Sturgeon Proposal Dropped continued from page 5 species status for the sturgeon men was caught on the Alabama and designation of its critical habi- River and claimed to be an Ala- tat (if maintenance dredging is bama Sturgeon by U.S. Fish and stopped on the lower Alabama Wildlife Service personnel. DNA. River system to preserve the fish's testing performed on that fish in- habitat) would cost more than $11 dicated it was no different from billion and cause the loss of ap- other species of sturgeon found proximately 20,000 jobs over the in abundant numbers from Mon- next 10 years. tana to Mississippi. The specimen The last recognized capture of died in a holding pond while sci- an Alabama sturgeon was in entists debated analysis of the 1985. In December 1993, a speci- fish. continued page 19

PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE continued from page 17 *** Allan Avery has been named curator of the Arkansas River Historical Museum, according to Robert F. Bost, president of the Arkansas River Historical Society. The museum is located in the Marcus R. Tower Ad- ministrative Building at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. Avery received his Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from North- eastern State University and a Masters degree in History from the Univer- sity of Tulsa. He is currently completing a Bachelors degree in Art with an emphasis in Art History. Avery is a member of the American Association of Museums, American Historical Association and the Archeological Insti- tute of America. Last summer, he concluded an internship at Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa. *** Walter B. Stevenson of Montgomery, Ala., has been elected chair- man of the Water Resources Congress, succeeding Richard 0. Fenske of Carrington, N.D. Stevenson, a recognized water resources leader, is chief of the State of Alabama Office of Water Resources. Fenske will continue to serve on WRC's Board of Directors as its past chairman. Glen L. Cheatham, Jr., Waterways Branch Manager, Oklahoma De- partment of Transportation, was elected to the Board of Directors. Cheatham is executive vice president of the ABDA, Inc. The Water Resources Congress, founded in 1891, is the oldest na- tional water resources organization in the U.S. It is a membership organi- zation representing the broad spectrum of water resources, including water supply, irrigation, navigation, recreation, flooding, water quality, fish and wildlife. Fall/Winter 1994 • Arkansas Basin Development Association • Page 19 OKLAHOMA STUDENTS HONORED BY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Five Broken Arrow, Okla. pub- The five also entered the Na- lic school students - Katy tional History Day competition Durler, Tina Iran, Ashley and we're state and national Corbett, Rachel Clawson, and winners. The national phase Tommy Kline - received special of this competition was also recognition from the Arkansas held in Washington, D.C. River Historical Society at their In May 1994, the Middle annual membership meeting at School students were the sub- the Tulsa Port of Catoosa on ject of national news as a re- Oct. 14. The five, while students sult of their achievement. at Ernest Childers Middle They appeared on CNN's School in Broken Arrow, com- "Real News for Kids," which pleted an award-winning project aired on cable in Tulsa. focused on the McClellan-Kerr The American Express Ge- Arkansas River Navigation Sys- ography competition required tem and its impact on the Okla- the students to do a lot of re- homa economy. search. They spent several As a result of their research, the months interviewing public of- five eighth grade students won ficials, business people, and first place in the Travel and Trade Port of Catoosa personnel to division of the American Express ascertain the international Geography competition. Their scope of Port operations. award was $7,500 in American Their entry in the National Express Traveler's Checks. The History Day event'included a award ceremony in Washington, nearly six-foot revolving dis- D.C., featured a speech by the play which spotlights the his- wife of former Egyptian Presi- tory of the Arkansas Riyer dent Anwar Sadat. from exploration to navigation. Alabama Sturgeon Proposal Dropped continued from page 18 The coalition does not feel the issue is a dead one and the Colorado- based Biodiversity Legal Foundation and two Alabama attorneys said they planned to sue the Interior Department over its decision and seek rein- statement of the listing proposal. Information compiled from reports by the NWC,Inc., and "Waterways Journal Weekly". ARKANSAS BASIN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION WATER RESOURCE Bulk Rate VOCE FOR THE NEWSLETTER ARKANSAS RIVER EULSPI of the P.O. BOX 660 U.S. Postage ABDA Arkansas Basin Development Association Tulsa, OK 74101-0660 - PAID , ARKANSAS COLORADO (918)838-9933 FAX (918) Permit No. KANSAS 832-9074 MISSOURI 928 OKLAHOMA Tulsa, OK The Newsletter of the Arkansas Basin Development Association is a quarterly publication with a distribution of 3,000. The Arkansas River Basin is comprised of the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. It is the purpose of the ABDA to promote the conservation and development of the Arkansas River and its tributaries to satisfy the basin's needs for flood control, navigation, water supply, recreation, hydroelectric power generation, and fish and wildlife. ABDA Officers Arthur T. Woodman Chairman of the Board Scott Robinson President Glen L. Cheatham, Jr. Executive Vice President Vacant First Vice President George H. Gates Secretary Coleman Fite Treasurer Paul N. Revis Arkansas Vice President Ray Nixon Colorado Vice President Gerald H. Holman Kansas Vice President Clark King Oklahoma Vice President

Address all editorial submissions, membership inquiries, address corrections, and other correspondence to: Editor, Arkansas Basin Development Association,P.O. Box 660, Tulsa, OK 74101-0660,(918)838-9933, FAX (918)832- 9074. Carol King, Editor 0Member, NATIONAL WATERWAYS CONFERENCE, INC.