Okla. Stat. tit. 69, § 69-4018

Division - Creation - Powers and duties - Oklahoma Waterways

Advisory Board.

A. There is hereby created within the Department of

Transportation Planning Division, a Waterways Branch. The Director

of the Department of Transportation shall appoint such employees

necessary to implement and effectuate the provisions of this

section. The Waterways Branch shall assume the duties and functions

previously performed by the Division of Waterways within the

Department of Commerce. The Transportation Commission is hereby

authorized to adopt rules necessary to effectuate the operation of

the Waterways Branch.

B. The Waterways Branch shall have the primary purpose and

responsibility of promoting the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River

Navigation System which constitutes Oklahoma's navigable waterways.

Additionally, the Department of Transportation acting through the

Waterways Branch shall have the authority to:

1. Encourage commercial use of the state's navigable waterways

for the purpose of the transportation of goods;

2. Assist state, federal and municipal entities in the

attraction and location of waterways-related industries;

3. Assist and coordinate public and private entities in and

with the development of river, port and harbor facilities;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 382

4. Aggressively pursue federal funding for construction and

maintenance projects of all necessary improvements to navigational

systems;

5. Coordinate with local and state development agencies to

ensure a better understanding of the state's navigable waterways in

a manner that will result in the use and growth of the state's

transportation resources and facilities of this state;

6. Study and coordinate efforts designed to promote the

development of the navigable stream areas in this state for water

transportation purposes;

7. Monitor and intercede on behalf of and to represent the

State of Oklahoma before any agency of the United States government

in matters pertaining to the application of fees, tolls or user

charges levied or contemplated to be levied against the water

transportation industry engaged in either intrastate or interstate

water commerce;

8. Receive and use any federal, state or private funds,

donations and grants made available for the development, use and

expansion of river transportation resources of this state;

9. Cooperate and enter into contracts with the federal

government or any agency thereof or agencies of other states such as

may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, provided

that no such contract may obligate or potentially obligate any state

funds or the full faith and credit of the State of Oklahoma unless

express legislative authorization is given therefor;

10. Represent this state in the promotion of the development of

commercial water transportation in this state and to cooperate with

other states, other agencies of this state or agencies of the United

States government, in any manner whatsoever, in an effort to develop

the commercial use of the waterways in this state;

11. Study all executive orders and legislation, state and

federal, which may affect the commercial development of interstate

or intrastate water transportation and to make recommendations

concerning any such executive orders or legislation;

12. Make studies and plans for the expansion, use and growth of

the water transportation resources and facilities of this state; and

13. Do and perform all other functions for and on behalf of the

state which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes

of this section.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 383

C. 1. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Waterways

Advisory Board. Members of the Board shall be selected

and appointed by the Director of the Department of

Transportation. The Oklahoma Waterways Advisory

Board shall consist of seven (7) members qualified as

follows:
r desirable to accomplish the purposes

of this section.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 383

C. 1. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Waterways

Advisory Board. Members of the Board shall be selected

and appointed by the Director of the Department of

Transportation. The Oklahoma Waterways Advisory

Board shall consist of seven (7) members qualified as

follows:

a. two members shall be the Executive Directors of the

two active, public ports, commonly known as the Port

of Catoosa and the Port of Muskogee,

b. two members shall be appointed from private port

operations which have existing waterfront cargo

handling facilities and which regularly employ the use

of barge transportation,

c. one member shall be appointed from the public at large

who shall have professional experience and expertise

in shipping, freight logistics or construction,

operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of

transportation systems, and

d. two members shall be appointed at large from business

and/or industry associated with inland navigation.

2. All members shall continue in office until replaced.

Members of the Board shall not be compensated or receive travel

reimbursement. The membership shall elect a chairperson and vice-

chairperson and shall meet as necessary.

3. The Board shall:

a. serve in an advisory capacity to the Department of

Transportation, the Governor's office and the

Legislature in accomplishing its mission,

b. assist in the development of rules, standards,

policies, procedures and directions of the Waterways

Branch of the Department of Transportation regarding

its duties and responsibilities authorized by this

section, and

c. recommend specific public and private actions that

would enable this state to utilize its waterways to

promote future growth.

4. The Department of Transportation may, as funds and staff are

available, provide support and assistance to the Board.