Supporting inland waterways

During the 2012 Summer meeting of the Western States Land Commissioner’s Association (WSLCA), Commissioner John Thurston introduced a resolution encouraging Congress and the Administration to support the nation’s inland waterways.

Commissioner Thurston says, “Arkansans know the importance of waterway infrastructure; we often take river transportation for granted, but most of the 23 member states of WSLCA do not have navigable waterways. Still, the members recognize that they too benefit from the waterways through cost efficient and environmentally friendly transportation of goods and commodities.”

The resolution was adopted unanimously and became an official position of the organization upon adoption. “I would like to thank my fellow commissioners for helping us express to Congress and the Administration that waterways are regional in nature and benefit us all.”

Also at the meeting, Commissioner Thurston was selected to chair a special committee to examine the association’s membership dues.

Arkansas has long been involved in WSLCA, with several previous Commissioners serving as President of the organization. WSLCA was founded in 1949 in response to a need for more coordinated management of federal and state lands. Membership is open to any entity that manages or has title to surface or submerged public lands. Together the 23 member states manage over 447 million acres of land, mineral rights and submerged lands.