Last year, in the President’s original FY05 Budget proposal, funding for the Ouachita Black River Navigation System was zeroed out for maintenance and operation.  These funds provide essential money for bank stabilization and dredging for the Ouachita Black River.  After many meetings through a joint, bipartisan effort with Governor Huckabee, Senators Lincoln and Pryor, and Congressmen Berry and Alexander, funding was successfully restored.  The Ouachita Black River Navigation system was one of a dozen low-use waterways in America threatened by 2005 budget cuts, and the only low-use waterway to have funding restored in FY05.   Currently, funding for the navigation system stands at $10.4 million, as passed a few weeks ago in the House and Senate Energy & Water Development Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006. 

Water resources are essential to the longevity and economic vitality of the region as communities, industries, farmers, recreational users, navigation interest, and fish and wildlife all benefit from these resources.  These projects are vital to maintaining and improving our way of life, and preserving it for future generations of Arkansans.  The Ouachita Black River Navigation system directly affects much of the regions industry, including agriculture, the paper & pulp industries, oil and gas refineries, fuel & chemical distribution and power generation plants within the Ouachita River Valley region.  Business and industry such as these are able to efficiently utilize waterborne transportation, saving on rising fuel costs. 

As your member of Congress, I am committed to projects in the Fourth Congressional District, such as the Ouachita Black River Navigation System, that contribute to the economic vitality and quality of life of the region.  I will continue to work to ensure such projects receive the funding necessary to keep them in operation for businesses and recreational use for all of Arkansas to enjoy.

Members of the Arkansas delegation described the meeting as positive and announced that they were able to secure a commitment from Principi to attend the July 11th regional BRAC hearing in San Antonio. The hearing will allow community leaders from Arkansas and Texas the opportunity to inform BRAC Commissioners on the military value of their respective bases. 

“We had a productive meeting with Chairman Principi and I am cautiously optimistic that our viewpoint and concerns are resonating,” Pryor said. “I am especially pleased that he has agreed to attend July’s regional hearing, where communities directly affected by BRAC recommendations will have an opportunity to present a strong comprehensive case for keeping Red River and Lone Star open.” 

"It speaks volumes that the Secretary of the Army himself said that the U.S. Army is not in a position to close any of its depots due to future needs," Senator Blanche Lincoln said. "The services that Red River and Lone Star provide are crucial to our ongoing efforts in Iraq, and that’s why it was important to present to Chairman Principi an organized case of facts and expert evaluations. Because Red River serves as the Army’s only joint installation, providing vital maintenance, ammunition and distribution missions, we were able to further our case that Texarkana is vital to our national Defense." 

"I appreciate Chairman Anthony Principi taking the time to meet with members of the Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma delegations," said Ross.  "I believe today's meeting was extremely productive, as we were able to communicate to Chairman Principi solid reasons why Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant must remain open, critical not only to the economic stability of Southwest Arkansas and Northeast Texas, but also in keeping safe our men and women in the military.  The functions carried out by Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, such as making protective armor for humvees, are imperative in keeping our soldiers safe abroad, and other depots around our nation simply do not have the capacity to manufacture the equipment necessary.  I look forward to joining Chairman Principi in San Antonio on July 11th for the regional hearing when I will be testifying on behalf of Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant." 

Tuesday’s meeting was part of the Arkansas delegation’s continuing effort to demonstrate the depot’s military value. The meeting marks the second time in a month Pryor, Lincoln and Ross have sat down with Principi to discuss Arkansas base closures and realignment. 

Pryor, Lincoln and Ross have met multiple times with south Arkansas community leaders to discuss the strengths and strategies that may be used to avert the BRAC’s closure recommendation. They will also submit testimony to the BRAC Commission in the coming weeks. 

The following projects were included in the FY 2006 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill and will affect the defense industry in Arkansas: 

$126.565 million – 155mm M110 White Phosphorous Smoke and 155mm Illuminating M485 
This funding, $2 million more than was offered in the President’s Budget, will provide for 155mm M110 White Phosphorous Smoke and 155mm Illuminating M485 which are widely used in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The Pine Bluff Arsenal in Pine Bluff is the only military installation in the country that produces these final products. 

$146.8 million - High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) 
The government allocated $146.8 million to be spent on High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, providing for an additional 480 rockets.  HIMARS with GMLRS rocket munitions provides the USMC transformational precision deep fires for both traditional and irregular operations, with 24 hour, all weather long range precision strike capability.  HIMARS are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden. 

$382.849 million - Tactical Tomahawk Procurement 
This funding, $29.449 million more than was offered in the President’s Budget, will provide for Tomahawk Block IV to incorporate innovative technologies to provide new operational capabilities while dramatically reducing acquisition, operation and support costs compared to Tomahawk Block III.  Tomahawk Missiles are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden. 

$99.8 million - Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) 
The United States Navy, along with the navies of nine other NATO nations, will employ ESSM to defend against low-flying, fast and maneuvering threats to ships.  ESSM are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden. 

$156.9 million - Rocket, HYDRA-70, All types 
The system is an effective area suppression weapon which has seen use most recently in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  HYDRA rockets are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden. 

$489.7 million - Patriot, Missile Procurement, Army (MIPA) 
MIPA is an advanced surface to air guided missile system with a high single shot kill probability capable of operation in the presence of electronic countermeasures and able to conduct multiple simultaneous engagements against high performance air breathing missiles.  Patriot Missiles are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden. 

$53.1 million - M67 Hand Grenade, Fragmentation 
M67 Hand Grenades are produced by government contractors at Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant near Texarkana. 

The Senate must now pass their version of the bill.  Once the final conference committee bill is passed, the President must sign it into law before this project is final.