Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners public meetings in 2025

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners will meet on December 17, 2025, to receive public comments on the proposed 2026 budget for the Red River Waterway District. The budget is available for public inspection, and the hearing will be held at the District’s Headquarters in Natchitoches.

• Public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget for the Red River Waterway District
• Hearing location: 5941 Highway 1 Bypass, Natchitoches, LA

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Commission approved the 2026 budget and several funding agreements for port projects. It also authorized the re-advertising of land leases and the re-appraisal of leaseback properties. Several construction contracts were finalized with budget adjustments.

• Adopted the Red River Waterway Commission 2026 Budget (Unanimous)
• Approved funding up to $2,306,524.00 for Natchitoches Parish Port Conveyors, Tank, and Warehouse Project (Unanimous)
• Approved funding up to $1,100,000.00 for Caddo-Bosier Port front-end loader purchase in FY2026 (Unanimous)
• Increased John Franks Wildlife Management Area project budget to $1,800,000.00 (Unanimous)
• Authorized staff to re-advertise Public Bid Land Leases expiring in 2026 and early 2027 (Unanimous)
• Authorized staff to re-appraise leaseback properties expiring in 2026 (Unanimous)
• Approved unreserving $804,194.95 from completed 2025 projects (Unanimous)
• Tabled Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for City of Pineville Riverside Pavilion Project

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The commission is issuing a public notice of certification. This document certifies compliance with Louisiana Revised Statute 39:1307 regarding public participation in the budget process for the fiscal year ending 2026.

• Certification of public inspection and public hearing for the Fiscal Year Ending 2026 budget

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold its monthly meeting on December 17, 2025, at its headquarters in Natchitoches. Commissioners will review committee reports and vote on several contracts, land-use agreements, and the 2026 budget. No new policy decisions are scheduled; the agenda focuses on approvals of previously discussed items.

• Approval of 2026 budget
• Approval of construction budget revision for John Franks Wildlife Management Area Equipment Shed and Bunk House (RRWC Project No. 25-02)
• Approval of Change Order No. 2 for 1North Adventure Trails Phase 1B (RRWC Project No. 24-04)
• Approval of Change Order No. 3 for Twelve Mile Bayou Boat Ramp and Access Road (RRWC Project No. 23-02)
• Approval of Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with City of Pineville for Riverside Pavilion Project

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission’s Revenue, Banking & Budget Committee will meet to discuss the 2026 proposed budget. This is a procedural committee meeting; no formal decisions are listed on the agenda.

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission holds its monthly meeting to decide on land lease extensions and cancellations, approve port funding requests, and vote on construction budget revisions for wildlife and trail projects. Committee reports and public comment are also on the agenda.

• Approval of land lease extension at Lock & Dam 4 (30 acres)
• Cancellation of land lease at Socot Capout Phase II (91 acres) and readvertisement
• Amendment to land lease at Lock & Dam 3 (409 acres plus improvements)
• Funding requests for Caddo-Bossier Port front-end loader and Natchitoches Parish Port conveyors/tanks/warehouse
• Approval of construction and budget revisions for John Franks Wildlife Management Area and 1North Adventure Trails

The Red River Waterway Commission approved several funding requests for port equipment and infrastructure, including a $3.75M agreement for the Beaver Lake Renewable Energy Project. The board also authorized funding for a pavilion in Pineville and approved various land lease extensions and cancellations.

• Approved $3.75M Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for Beaver Lake Renewable Energy Project
• Approved $2,306,524 for Natchitoches Parish Port conveyors, tanks, and warehouse project
• Approved $1.6M for City of Pineville Riverfront Pavilion
• Approved $1.1M for Caddo-Bossier Port front-end loader
• Increased North Adventure Trails Phase IE budget to $8,000,000
• Approved 5-year lease extension for Christopher Turner at Lock & Dam 4 for $3,300
• Approved cancellation of Socot Capout lease and authorized re-advertisement at $15/acre
• Approved lease amendment for Lock & Dam 3 naming Stephen VanSickle as sole lessee

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners will meet on October 15, 2025, to consider several items including a change order for multi-use trails, approval of a 2026 contracts list, land lease awards and extensions, an offer to purchase mitigation property, a funding request for a renewable energy project at a regional port, and discussion of 2026 recreation projects.

• Change Order No. 1 for RRWC Project No. 24-07 (1North Adventure Trails/Phase 1D/Multi-Use Trails)
• Approval of 2026 Contracts List
• Award of public bid land lease for Kateland Realignment (parts of Tracts 1, 3, 5 & 7, 100 acres)
• Approval of land lease extension for St. Maurice Realignment (part of Tract 2, 23.6 acres)
• Funding request from Central Louisiana Regional Port for Beaver Lake Renewable Energy

The Commission approved funding for a cargo and liquid dock project and authorized several land leases and property purchases. It also approved the 2026 contracts list and a cost decrease for the North Adventure Trails project.

• Approved up to $3,750,000.00 for Beaver Lake Renewable Energy cargo dock and utilities
• Approved 2026 contracts list
• Approved $81,171.48 decrease in contract cost for North Adventure Trails Phase 1D
• Awarded 5-year land lease to KISS Property Management, LLC for $10,500.00
• Approved 5-year lease extension for JH Global Interests, LLC for $3,245.00
• Approved offers to purchase land from Hall-Williams, LLC ($38,000.00) and Key Exploration, Ltd ($17,500.00)
• Approved September 2025 financial reports
• Approved September 17, 2025, meeting minutes

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold committee meetings and a monthly commission meeting on September 17, 2025. Key items include considering construction bids for the North Adventure Trails Phase 1F cross-country trails project, funding requests and cooperative endeavor agreements with the Rapides and Grant Parish Sheriff's Offices for license plate reader cameras, and a presentation of architectural concepts for Phase 1E of the trails. The commission will also vote on routine financial reports and other administrative matters.

• Consideration of construction bids for North Adventure Trails Phase 1F cross-country trails (Project No. 25-04, Contract No. RRW-857)
• Consideration of funding request and cooperative endeavor agreement with Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office for license plate reader cameras
• Consideration of funding request and cooperative endeavor agreement with Grant Parish Sheriff's Office for license plate reader cameras
• Consideration of surplus property declaration and authority to dispose of a 2020 F150
• Presentation of architectural concepts for North Adventure Trails Phase 1E

The Red River Waterway Commission approved several funding requests for infrastructure and public safety, including dredging funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The board also awarded a trail construction contract and approved funding for license plate recognition cameras for two sheriff's offices.

• Approved $3,000,000.00 in contributed funds for dredging to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Awarded $1,098,729.00 construction contract to Vanguard Trailworks, LLC for 8.5 miles of cross-country trails
• Approved $15,531.66 funding request and $16,000.00 budget amendment for Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office LPR cameras
• Approved $10,354.11 funding request and $11,000.00 budget amendment for Grant Parish Sheriff's Office LPR cameras
• Approved 20-year right-of-way extension with Altice USA, Inc. dba Optimum for $13,274.00
• Approved resolution to request U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pursue sale of 1,240 acre tract in Avoyelles Parish
• Declared 2020 F150 as surplus and authorized disposal
• Approved August 2025 financial reports and August 20, 2025 meeting minutes

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will meet to discuss several infrastructure projects and land leases. The body is deciding on design contracts for wildlife management areas and a dredging contract with Crosby Dredging.

• Design contract for John F. Franks Wildlife Management Area Operations & Maintenance Building and Equipment Shed (Project No. 25-02)
• Design contract for Red River National Wildlife Refuge Lake Caroline Comfort Station (Project No. 25-01)
• Spud Barge and Excavator Contract with Crosby Dredging
• Change Order No. 2 for Twelve Mile Bayou Boat Ramp and Access Road (Project No. 23-02)
• Leaseback renewal for Lock & Dam I/Tract 1/Segments B & B-1 covering 106.9 acres

The Commission awarded design contracts for the John F. Franks Wildlife Management Area and the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Lake Caroline Comfort Station. It also approved a maintenance contract with Crosby Dredging and a leaseback renewal with Southline Farms, LLC.

• Awarded design contract for John F. Franks WMA building and equipment shed to Civil Design Group, LLC (Unanimous)
• Awarded design contract for Red River National Wildlife Refuge Lake Caroline Comfort Station to Nixon Engineering Solutions, LLC (Unanimous)
• Approved continuing services maintenance contract with Crosby Dredging through December 31, 2027 (Unanimous)
• Approved Change Order No. 2 for Twelve Mile Bayou Boat Ramp increasing cost by $9,109.66 and adding 53 work days (Unanimous)
• Approved MOU with Department of the Interior for Red River National Wildlife Refuge Comfort Station (Unanimous)
• Approved additional services contract with Hydrick for Phase 1C lake improvements at 1North Adventure Trails (Unanimous)
• Approved 5-year leaseback renewal with Southline Farms, LLC for 106.9 acres at $10,690.00 (Unanimous)
• Approved Right-of-Entry agreement with Summit Envirosolutions, Inc. for sand sampling in Pool 5 (Unanimous)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold committee meetings starting at 8:30 AM followed by a monthly commission meeting at 10:00 AM on July 16, 2025. Key items include authorizing construction bids for additional cross-country trails at North Adventure Trails, approving change orders for seawall rehabilitation and a playground project, and considering a land lease extension for 195 acres at Lock & Dam 2.

• Authority to advertise for construction bids and increase budget for North Adventure Trails Phase 1F cross-country trails (Project 25-04, Contract RRW-857)
• Approval of Change Order No. 1 (Final) for Seawall Rehabilitation at Red Oak and Bishop Point (Project 24-02, Contract RRW-830)
• Approval of Change Order No. 2 for Brouillette Playground and Comfort Station (Project 24-01, Contract RRW-828)
• Renewal of powerline right-of-way for England Realignment
• Request for land lease extension for 195 acres at Lock & Dam 2, Tracts 5, 6, 8 & 9

The Commission approved several construction bid authorizations and change orders, including a funding increase for the North Adventure Trails. It also renewed a powerline right-of-way and extended a land lease for the Big Lake Hunting Club.

• Authorized construction bids and increased funds for North Adventure Trails Phase 1F to $1,300,000.00 (Unanimous)
• Approved Change Order No. 1 for Seawall Rehabilitation Red Oak and Bishop Point, increasing cost by $12,607.23 (Unanimous)
• Approved Change Order No. 2 for Brouillette Playground and Comfort Station, adding 30 days for weather delays (Unanimous)
• Approved 20-year Powerline Right-of-Way renewal with CLECO Power, LLC for $555.00 (Unanimous)
• Approved 5-year lease extension to Big Lake Hunting Club, Inc. for $21,450.00 (Unanimous)
• Approved $9,420.00 funding for Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission to sponsor Fishers of Men Tournament (Unanimous)
• Approved June 2025 financial statements and reports (Unanimous)
• Approved June 18, 2025 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will consider awarding design contracts for a comfort station at Red River National Wildlife Refuge Lake Caroline and an operations building at John Franks Wildlife Management Area. The board will also review revisions to land lease insurance requirements, an equipment purchase, and an amendment to the Grand Ecore RV Park operator agreement. Committee meetings begin June 17, with the full commission meeting on June 18.

• Consideration of design contract for Lake Caroline Comfort Station (Project 25-01, Contract RRW-848)
• Consideration of design contract for John Franks WMA Operations & Maintenance Building (Project 25-02, Contract RRW-850)
• Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to Seawall Rehabilitation design contract at Red Oak and Bishop Point (Project 24-02, Contract RRW-829)
• Consideration of revisions to land lease and leaseback insurance requirements
• Consideration of Addendum No. 2 to Grand Ecore RV Park Operator Agreement

The Commission approved a $200,000 budget amendment for equipment and increased liability insurance requirements for land leases. It also approved an addendum for the Grand Ecore RV Park Operator agreement but declined a design contract amendment for seawall rehabilitation.

• Approved $200,000 budget amendment for equipment purchase (Unanimous)
• Approved increase of liability coverage to $1M per person/$2M aggregate for Public Bid Land Leases and Leaseback agreements (Unanimous)
• Approved Addendum No. 2 to Grand Ecore RV Park Operator agreement (Unanimous)
• Declined Amendment No. 1 to Design Contract for Seawall Rehabilitation Red Oak and Bishop Point (Unanimous)
• Delayed action on Design Contract for Red River National Wildlife Refuge Lake Caroline Comfort Station (Unanimous)
• Delayed action on Design Contract for John Franks Wildlife Management Area building and shed (Unanimous)
• Approved May 2025 financial reports and expenditures (Unanimous)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Commission and its committees will meet to discuss contract changes for adventure trails, emergency equipment agreements, and land use requests. The body will also consider revisions to recreation permits and the Grand Ecore RV Park reservation policy.

• Ratification of Change Order No. 1 for 1North Adventure Trails/Phase 1B-Cross-Country Trails (Project No. 24-04)
• Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Caddo Parish Fire District 7 for emergency response equipment
• Request for Temporary Access Servitude for Pointfield Realignment
• Leaseback renewal for 43 acres at Lock & Dam 1/Part of Tract 1
• Revisions to the Grand Ecore RV Park reservation policy

The Red River Waterway Commission approved several funding requests, including $35,000 for Caddo Parish Fire District 7 and $44,714.10 for a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries truck. The board also approved a leaseback renewal for Southline Farms, LLC and a land access agreement with James Timber Company, LLC.

• Approved $35,000 funding for Caddo Parish Fire District 7 emergency equipment (Unanimous)
• Approved $44,714.10 for Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries replacement truck (Unanimous)
• Approved 5-year leaseback renewal to Southline Farms, LLC for $4,730.00 (Unanimous)
• Approved Temporary Access Servitude for James Timber Company, LLC for $750.00 (Unanimous)
• Approved Addendum No. 2 for Central Louisiana Regional Port acreage correction (Unanimous)
• Approved Change Order No. 1/1 for North Adventure Trails culvert and headwall pricing (Unanimous)
• Approved revisions to Recreation Area Temporary Use Permit prohibiting alcohol sales (Unanimous)
• Tabled revisions to Grand Ecore RV Park Reservation Policy

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will meet April 16, 2025, in Natchitoches to consider several financial and operational items. Key actions include adopting the 2025 tax millage by resolution, awarding a design contract for the North Adventure Trails Phase 1F project (Contract No. RRW-856), and approving the purchase of office chairs. The meeting will also include committee reports, a treasurer's report, and an executive session for privileged legal matters.

• Adoption of 2025 Tax Millage by Resolution
• Consideration of Authority to Award Design Contract for North Adventure Trails Phase 1F / Additional Cross-Country Trails / Project No. 25-04 / Contract No. RRW-856
• Consideration of Approval to Purchase Office Chairs
• Consideration of Approval to Declare Assets as Surplus
• Discussion of Building and Property Insurance Options

The Commission approved a design contract for additional cross-country trails and adopted the 2025 tax millage rates. Other actions included approving office furniture purchases and declaring a lawn mower as surplus.

• Approved $1,200,000 design contract for INorth Adventure Trails/Phase 1 (unanimous)
• Adopted 2025 Tax Millage Rates of 1.45 mills for capital outlay and 0.78 mills for operations and maintenance (total 2.23 mills)
• Approved $24,943 purchase of 44 office chairs from Hester’s Office Solutions (unanimous)
• Declared 2002 John Deere lawn mower as surplus (unanimous)
• Approved March 2025 financial reports (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution of Appreciation for David Jones (unanimous)
• Approved March 19, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold committee meetings starting at 8:30 AM followed by a monthly commission meeting at 10:00 AM on March 19, 2025. Committees will consider hydraulic dredging contracts, vehicle purchases, construction bids, land lease extensions and cancellations, and a cooperative agreement for an electrical substation manufacturing facility. The full commission will vote on these recommendations, approve financial reports, and hear updates on recreation, marketing, and tax millage adoption.

• Consideration of proposals for hydraulic dredging contracts
• Consideration of construction bids for North Adventure Trails Phase 1D multi-use trails (Project No. 24-07, Contract No. RRW-843)
• Consideration of request for land lease extension for Lower Gin Lake Realignment (120 acres)
• Consideration of approval of Second Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for Central Louisiana Regional Port electrical substation manufacturing facility
• Announcement of upcoming 2025 tax millage adoption on April 16, 2025

The Commission approved a $1.3M construction bid for multi-use trails and a $3.8M funding agreement for a port electrical substation facility. Several land leases and leasebacks were awarded or extended, and two new trucks were authorized for purchase. The board also approved maintenance contracts for hydraulic dredging.

• Approved $1,348,185.00 bid to Lawler Construction Company for INorth Adventure Trails (unanimous)
• Approved $3,830,300.00 cooperative endeavor agreement with Central Louisiana Regional Port (unanimous)
• Approved $76,105.74 purchase of two trucks from Premier Automotive (unanimous)
• Approved 3-year maintenance contracts with Testament, LLC and Crosby Dredging, LLC (unanimous)
• Approved 5-year land lease extension to Samuel Guillot for $9,900.00 (unanimous)
• Approved 5-year land lease to Ricky Dupuy for $427.50 (unanimous)
• Approved 5-year leaseback to JPL Property Investments, LLC for $1,425.00 (unanimous)
• Approved 5-year leaseback to Robert Charles Brossette, Jr. for $470.00 (unanimous)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Commission and its committees are meeting to discuss infrastructure projects, land management, and funding requests. Key items include construction bids for the 1North Adventure Trails and the award of public bid land leases.

• Construction bids for 1North Adventure Trails Phase 1B Cross-Country Trails (Contract No. RRW-834)
• Design contract for 1North Adventure Trails Phase 1E Site, Paving, and Utility Improvements (Project No. 25-03)
• Public bid land leases for Hadden Ft. DeRussy Realignment (235 acres) and Hudson Realignment (60 acres)
• Funding request for Central Louisiana Regional Port Electrical Substation Manufacturing Facility
• Contract for Economic Impact Study Update with Loren C. Scott & Associates

The Commission approved several construction contracts for the 1North Adventure Trails and Colfax Lift Station. It also awarded two land leases and provided gap funding for the Central Louisiana Regional Port. A contract for an economic impact study was approved for $112,000.

• Approved $3,830,300.00 gap funding for Central Louisiana Regional Port electrical substation project
• Approved $505,948.28 bid to Vanguard Trailworks, LLC for 1North Adventure Trails Phase 1B
• Approved design contract to KSA Engineers, Inc. and reserved $5,000,000.00 for 1North Adventure Trails Phase 1E
• Approved $112,000.00 contract with Loren C. Scott & Associates for economic impact study
• Approved $18,536 bid to Poston Plumbing, LLC for Colfax Lift Station repairs
• Awarded 5-year lease of Hadden Ft. DeRussy Tracts 45, 46 & 47 to C & J Livestock, LLC for $36,436.75
• Awarded 5-year lease of Hudson Realignment Tract 9 to Kerry Luneau for $6,975.00
• Approved $3,340.00 proposal from Basic Matrix for drone/gimbal videography services

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission will hold committee meetings starting at 8:30 AM followed by a monthly commission meeting at 10:00 AM on January 15, 2025. The board will consider awarding design contracts for three projects: 1North Adventure Trails Phase 1E, Lake Caroline Boat Ramp Comfort Station, and John Franks Wildlife Area equipment shed and bunk house. Other items include a lease of 56.66 acres adjoining the trails mitigation property, cooperative agreements for the 2025 KingKat Tournament and Shreveport-Bossier events, and approval of 2025 out-of-state travel.

• Consideration of authority to award design contract for 1North Adventure Trails/Phase 1E/Site, Paving and Utility Improvements/Project No. 25-03/Contract No. RRW-852
• Consideration of authority to award design contract for Red River National Wildlife Refuge/Lake Caroline Boat Ramp Comfort Station/Project No. 25-01/Contract No. RRW-848
• Consideration of authority to award design contract for John Franks Wildlife Management Area/Equipment Shed and Bunk House Facilities/Project No. 25-02/Contract No. RRW-850
• Consideration of approval of lease of 56.66 acres adjoining 1North Adventure Trails Mitigation Property
• Consideration of approval of cooperative endeavor agreement with City of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau for 2025 KingKat Tournament

The Commission approved a design contract for the John Franks Wildlife Management Area and authorized funding for the 2025 KingKat Tournament and other Red River events. It also approved a port agreement amendment and a 2025 out-of-state travel calendar. Two design contracts for adventure trails and a boat ramp were tabled.

• Approved design contract for John Franks WMA Equipment Shed and Bunk House Facilities to Civil Design Group, LLC (Unanimous)
• Approved authorizing staff to advertise a production-based bid package for maintenance dredging (Unanimous)
• Approved $30,000 cooperative endeavor agreement for 2025 KingKat Tournament (Unanimous)
• Approved $59,250 cooperative endeavor agreement for 2025 Powerboat Championship and National Fishing Tournament (Unanimous)
• Approved Amendment No. 2 to Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Avoyelles Parish Port for liquid fertilizer storage tank (Unanimous)
• Approved 2025 out-of-state travel calendar (Unanimous)
• Tabled design contract for INorth Adventure Trails Phase 1E (No action)
• Tabled design contract for Red River National Wildlife Refuge Lake Caroline Boat Ramp Comfort Station (No action)

Red River Waterway Commission Board of Commissioners

The Red River Waterway Commission is meeting on January 15, 2025. The agenda lists the 2025 meeting schedule, with regular meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. No other business items are included in this agenda.

• 2025 meeting schedule adopted: third Wednesday of each month, starting January 15 through December 17
• Commissioners listed from Avoyelles, Bossier, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River parishes, and three At-Large seats
• Executive Director Colin S. Brown, P.E. and Chair Terrence Donahue are identified as leadership