WATER CODE
TITLE 3. RIVER COMPACTS
CHAPTER 46. RED RIVER COMPACT
Sec. 46.001. RATIFICATION. The Red River Compact, the text of
which is set out in Section 46.013 of this code, is ratified and
confirmed in all respects after having been signed at Denison
Dam, on the Texas-Oklahoma border, on May 12, 1978, by John P.
Saxton, commissioner for the State of Arkansas, Orville B.
Saunders, commissioner for the State of Oklahoma, Arthur R.
Theis, commissioner for the State of Louisiana, and Fred Parkey,
commissioner for the State of Texas, and approved by R. C.
Marshall, representative of the United States.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979.
Sec. 46.002. ORIGINAL COPY. An original copy of the compact is
on file in the office of the secretary of state.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979.
Sec. 46.003. COMMISSIONER. The governor, with the advice and
consent of the senate, shall appoint a commissioner to represent
this state on the commission established by Article IX of the
compact.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979.
Sec. 46.004. TERM OF OFFICE. The appointed commissioner holds
office for a term of six years and until his or her successor is
appointed and qualified.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 608, Sec. 2.
Sec. 46.005. OATH. The appointed commissioner shall take the
constitutional oath of office and shall also take an oath to
faithfully perform his or her duties as commissioner.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979.
Sec. 46.006. COMPENSATION; EXPENSES. (a) The appointed
commissioner is entitled to receive as compensation $15,600 a
year until otherwise provided by legislative appropriation and is
entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses while
traveling in the discharge of official duties.
(b) Repealed by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 608, Sec. 3, eff.
Sept. 1, 1985.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 608, Sec. 3, eff.
Sept. 1, 1985.
Sec. 46.007. POWERS AND DUTIES. The appointed commissioner is
responsible for administering the provisions of the compact and
has all the powers and duties prescribed by the compact.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979.
Sec. 46.0071. NOTICE OF COMPACT MEETINGS. For informational
purposes, the commissioner shall file with the secretary of state
notice of compact meetings for publication in the Texas Register.
Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 608, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1985.
Sec. 46.008. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. (a) The executive director of
the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission or a
designated representative selected from the staff of the Texas
Natural Resource Conservation Commission shall also serve as a
commissioner and represent this state on the commission
established by Article IX of the compact.
(b) The executive director or the designated representative may
exercise the powers and shall discharge the duties provided by
the compact.
(c) The executive director or the designated representative is
not entitled to additional compensation for performing the duties
under the compact but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and
necessary expenses incurred while traveling in the discharge of
official duties.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 795, Sec. 1.136,
eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 11.318,
eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 46.009. EMPLOYEES; ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. The
commissioners, in conjunction with other members of the
commission and as authorized by the legislature, may employ
engineering and clerical personnel and may incur necessary office
expenses for the appointed commissioner and other expenses
incident to the proper performance of their duties and the proper
administration of the compact. However, the commissioner shall
not incur any financial obligation on behalf of this state until
the legislature has authorized and appropriated money for the
obligation.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979.
Sec. 46.010. COOPERATION OF TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION
COMMISSION. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
shall cooperate with the commissioners in the performance of
their duties and shall furnish them any factual data and
information that are available.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 795, Sec. 1.137,
eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 11.319,
eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 46.011. NOTIFICATION OF OTHER PARTIES; COPIES. The
governor shall notify the Governor of Arkansas, the Governor of
Louisiana, the Governor of Oklahoma, and the President of the
United States of the ratification of the compact by this state.
On request of the governor, the secretary of state shall furnish
to each of these other governors and the president a certified
copy of the Act adopting this chapter of the code.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979.
Sec. 46.012. TIME WHEN COMPACT BINDING. The compact is binding
and obligatory when it is ratified by the legislatures of
Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma and consented to by the United
States under Article XIII of the compact.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979.
Sec. 46.013. TEXT OF COMPACT. The Red River Compact reads as
follows:
"PREAMBLE
"The States of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, pursuant
to the acts of their respective Governors or legislatures, or
both, being moved by considerations of interstate comity, have
resolved to compact with respect to the water of the Red River
and its tributaries. By Act of Congress, Public Law No. 346 (84th
Congress, First Session), the consent of the United States has
been granted for said states to negotiate and enter into a
compact providing for an equitable apportionment of such water;
and pursuant to that Act the President has designated the
representative of the United States.
"Further, the consent of Congress has been given for two or more
states to negotiate and enter into agreements relating to water
pollution control by the provisions of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act (P.L. 92-500, 33 U.S.C. Subsection 1251 et
seq.).
"The Signatory States acting through their duly authorized
Compact Commissioners, after several years of negotiations, have
agreed to an equitable apportionment of the water of the Red
River and its tributaries and do hereby submit and recommend that
this compact be adopted by the respective legislatures and
approved by Congress as hereinafter set forth:
"ARTICLE I
"PURPOSES
"Sec. 1.01. The principal purposes of this Compact are:
"(a) To promote interstate comity and remove causes of
controversy between each of the affected states by governing the
use, control and distribution of the interstate water of the Red
River and its tributaries;
"(b) To provide an equitable apportionment among the Signatory
States of the water of the Red River and its tributaries;
"(c) To promote an active program for the control and alleviation
of natural deterioration and pollution of the water of the Red
River Basin and to provide for enforcement of the laws related
thereto;
"(d) To provide the means for an active program for the
conservation of water, protection of lives and property from
floods, improvement of water quality, development of navigation
and regulation of flows in the Red River Basin; and
"(e) To provide a basis for state or joint state planning and
action by ascertaining and identifying each state's share in the
interstate water of the Red River Basin and the apportionment
thereof.
"ARTICLE II
"GENERAL PROVISIONS
"Sec. 2.01. Each Signatory State may use the water allocated to
it by this Compact in any manner deemed beneficial by that state.
Each state may freely administer water rights and uses in
accordance with the laws of that state, but such uses shall be
subject to the availability of water in accordance with the
apportionments made by this Compact.
"Sec. 2.02. The use of water by the United States in connection
with any individual Federal project shall be in accordance with
the Act of Congress authorizing the project and the water shall
be charged to the state or states receiving the benefit
therefrom.
"Sec. 2.03. Any Signatory State using the channel of Red River or
its tributaries to convey stored water shall be subject to an
appropriate reduction in the amount which may be withdrawn at the
point of removal to account for transmission losses.
"Sec. 2.04. The failure of any state to use any portion of the
water allocated to it shall not constitute relinquishment or
forfeiture of the right to such use.
"Sec. 2.05. Each Signatory State shall have the right to:
"(a) Construct conservation storage capacity for the impoundment
of water allocated by this Compact;
"(b) Replace within the same area any storage capacity recognized
or authorized by this Compact made unusable by any cause,
including losses due to sediment storage;
"(c) Construct reservoir storage capacity for the purposes of
flood and sediment control as well as storage of water which is
either imported or is to be exported if such storage does not
adversely affect the delivery of water apportioned to any other
Signatory State; and
"(d) Use the bed and banks of the Red River and its tributaries
to convey stored water, imported or exported water, and water
apportioned according to this Compact.
"Sec. 2.06. Signatory States may cooperate to obtain construction
of facilities of joint benefits to such states.
"Sec. 2.07. Nothing in this Compact shall be deemed to impair or
affect the powers, rights, or obligations of the United States,
or those claiming under its authority, in, over and to water of
the Red River Basin.
"Sec. 2.08. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to include
within the water apportioned by this Compact any water consumed
in each state by livestock or for domestic purposes; provided,
however, the storage of such water is in accordance with the laws
of the respective states but any such impoundment shall not
exceed 200 acre-feet, or such smaller quantity as may be provided
for by the laws of each state.
"Sec. 2.09. In the event any state shall import water into the
Red River Basin from any other river basin, the Signatory State
making the importation shall have the use of such imported water.
"Sec. 2.10. Nothing in this Compact shall be deemed to:
"(a) Interfere with or impair the right or power of any Signatory
State to regulate within its boundaries the appropriation, use,
and control of water, or quality of water, not inconsistent with
its obligations under this Compact;
"(b) Repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the
enforcement of any requirement by any Signatory State imposing
any additional conditions or restrictions to further lessen or
prevent the pollution or natural deterioration of water within
its jurisdiction; provided nothing contained in this paragraph
shall alter any provision of this Compact dealing with the
apportionment of water or the rights thereto; or
"(c) Waive any state's immunity under the Eleventh Amendment of
the Constitution of the United States, or as constituting the
consent of any state to be sued by its own citizens.
"Sec. 2.11. Accounting for apportionment purposes on interstate
streams shall not be mandatory under the terms of the Compact
until one or more affected states deem the accounting necessary.
"Sec. 2.12. For the purposes of apportionment of the water among
the Signatory States, the Red River is hereby divided into the
following major subdivisions:
"(a) Reach I--the Red River and tributaries from the New
Mexico-Texas state boundary to Denison Dam;
"(b) Reach II--the Red River from Denison Dam to the point where
it crosses the Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary and all
tributaries which contribute to the flow of the River within this
reach;
"(c) Reach III--the tributaries west of the Red River which cross
the Texas-Louisiana state boundary, the Arkansas-Louisiana state
boundary, and those which cross both the Texas-Arkansas state
boundary and the Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary.
"(d) Reach IV--the tributaries east of the Red River in Arkansas
which cross the Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary; and
"(e) Reach V--that portion of the Red River and tributaries in
Louisiana not included in Reach III or in Reach IV.
"Sec. 2.13. If any part or application of this Compact shall be
declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, all other
severable provisions and applications of this Compact shall
remain in full force and effect.
"Sec. 2.14. Subject to the availability of water in accordance
with this Compact, nothing in this Compact shall be held or
construed to alter, impair, or increase, validate, or prejudice
any existing water right or right of water use that is legally
recognized on the effective date of this Compact by either
statutes or courts of the Signatory State within which it is
located.
"ARTICLE III
"DEFINITIONS
"Sec. 3.01. In this Compact:
"(a) The States of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas are
referred to as 'Arkansas,' 'Louisiana,' 'Oklahoma,' and 'Texas,'
respectively, or individually as 'State' or 'Signatory State,' or
collectively as 'States' or 'Signatory States.'
"(b) The term 'Red River' means the stream below the crossing of
the Texas-Oklahoma state boundary at longitude 100 degrees west.
"(c) The term 'Red River Basin' means all of the natural drainage
area of the Red River and its tributaries east of the New
Mexico-Texas state boundary and above its junction with
Atchafalaya and Old Rivers.
"(d) The term 'water of the Red River Basin' means the water
originating in any part of the Red River Basin and flowing to or
in the Red River or any of its tributaries.
"(e) The term 'tributary' means any stream which contributes to
the flow of the Red River.
"(f) The term 'interstate tributary' means a tributary of the Red
River, the drainage area of which includes portions of two or
more Signatory States.
"(g) The term 'intrastate tributary' means a tributary of the Red
River, the drainage area of which is entirely within a single
Signatory State.
"(h) The term 'Commission' means the agency created by Article IX
of this Compact for the administration thereof.
"(i) The term 'pollution' means the alteration of the physical,
chemical, or biological characteristics of water by the acts or
instrumentalities of man which create or are likely to result in
a material and adverse effect upon human beings, domestic or wild
animals, fish and other aquatic life, or adversely affect any
other lawful use of such water; provided, that for the purposes
of this Compact, 'pollution' shall not mean or include 'natural
deterioration.'
"(j) The term 'natural deterioration' means the material
reduction in the quality of water resulting from the leaching of
solubles from the soils and rocks through or over which the water
flows naturally.
"(k) The term 'designated water' means water released from
storage, paid for by non-Federal interests, for delivery to a
specific point of use or diversion.
"(l) The term 'undesignated water' means all water released from
storage other than 'designated water.'
"(m) The term 'conservation storage capacity' means that portion
of the active capacity of reservoirs available for the storage of
water for subsequent beneficial use, and it excludes any portion
of the capacity of reservoirs allocated solely to flood control
and sediment control, or either of them.
"(n) The term 'runoff' means both the portion of precipitation
which runs off the surface of a drainage area and that portion of
the precipitation that enters the streams after passing through
the portions of the earth.
"Subdivision of Reach I and apportionment of water therein. Reach
I of the Red River is divided into topographical subbasins, with
the water therein allocated as follows:
"ARTICLE IV
"APPORTIONMENT OF WATER--REACH I
"OKLAHOMA--TEXAS
"Sec. 4.01. Subbasin 1--Interstate streams--Texas.
"(a) This includes the Texas portion of Buck Creek, Sand (Lebos)
Creek, Salt Fork Red River, Elm Creek, North Fork Red River,
Sweetwater Creek, and Washita River, together with all their
tributaries in Texas which lie west of the 100th Meridian.
"(b) The annual flow within this subbasin is hereby apportioned
sixty (60) percent to Texas and forty (40) percent to Oklahoma.
"Sec. 4.02. Subbasin 2--Intrastate and Interstate
streams--Oklahoma.
"(a) This subbasin is composed of all tributaries of the Red
River in Oklahoma and portions thereof upstream to the
Texas-Oklahoma state boundary at longitude 100 degrees west,
beginning from Denison Dam and upstream to and including Buck
Creek.
"(b) The State of Oklahoma shall have free and unrestricted use
of the water of this subbasin.
"Sec. 4.03. Subbasin 3--Intrastate streams--Texas.
"(a) This includes the tributaries of the Red River in Texas,
beginning from Denison Dam and upstream to and including Prairie
Dog Town Fork Red River.
"(b) The State of Texas shall have free and unrestricted use of
the water in this subbasin.
"Sec. 4.04. Subbasin 4--Mainstem of the Red River and Lake
Texoma.
"(a) This subbasin includes all of Lake Texoma and the Red River
beginning at Denison Dam and continuing upstream to the
Texas-Oklahoma state boundary at longitude 100 degrees west.
"(b) The storage of Lake Texoma and flow from the mainstem of the
Red River into Lake Texoma is apportioned as follows:
"(1) Oklahoma 200,000 acre-feet and Texas 200,000 acre-feet,
which quantities shall include existing allocations and uses; and
"(2) Additional quantities in a ratio of fifty (50) percent to
Oklahoma and fifty (50) percent to Texas.
"Sec. 4.05. Special Provisions.
"(a) Texas and Oklahoma may construct, jointly or in cooperation
with the United States, storage or other facilities for the
conservation and use of water; provided that any facilities
constructed on the Red River boundary between the two states
shall not be inconsistent with the Federal legislation
authorizing Denison Dam and Reservoir project.
"(b) Texas shall not accept for filing, or grant a permit, for
the construction of a dam to impound water solely for irrigation,
flood control, soil conservation, mining and recovery of
minerals, hydroelectric power, navigation, recreation and
pleasure, or for any other purpose other than for domestic,
municipal, and industrial water supply, on the mainstem of the
North Fork Red River or any of its tributaries within Texas above
Lugert-Altus Reservoir until the date that imported water,
sufficient to meet the municipal and irrigation needs of Western
Oklahoma is provided, or until January 1, 2000, which ever occurs
first.
"Subdivision of Reach II and allocation of water therein. Reach
II of the Red River is divided into topographic subbasins, and
the water therein is allocated as follows:
"ARTICLE V
"APPORTIONMENT OF WATER--REACH II
"ARKANSAS, OKLAHOMA, TEXAS AND LOUISIANA
"Sec. 5.01. Subbasin 1--Intrastate streams--Oklahoma.
"(a) This subbasin includes those streams and their tributaries
above existing, authorized or proposed last downstream major
damsites, wholly in Oklahoma and flowing into Red River below
Denison Dam and above the Oklahoma-Arkansas state boundary. These
streams and their tributaries with existing, authorized or
proposed last downstream major damsites are as follows:
Location
Stream
Site
Ac-ft
Latitude
Longitude
Island-Bayou
Albany
85,200
33°51.5'N
96°11.4'W
Blue River
Durant
147,000
33°55.5'N
96°04.2'W
Boggy River
Boswell
1,243,800
34°01.6'N
95°45.0'W
Kiamichi River
Hugo
240,700
34°01.0'N
95°22.6'W
"(b) Oklahoma is apportioned the water of this subbasin and shall
have unrestricted use thereof.
"Sec. 5.02. Subbasin 2--Intrastate streams--Texas.
"(a) This subbasin includes those streams and their tributaries
above existing authorized or proposed last downstream major
damsites, wholly in Texas and flowing into Red River below
Denison Dam and above the Texas-Arkansas state boundary. These
streams and their tributaries with existing, authorized or
proposed last downstream major damsites are as follows:
Location
Stream
Site
Ac-ft
Latitude
Longitude
Shawnee
Creek
Randall Lake
5,400
33°48.1'N
96°34.8'W
Brushy Creek
Valley Lake
15,000
33°38.7'N
96°21.5'W
Bois d'Arc
New Bonham
Creek
Reservoir
130,600
33°42.9'N
95°58.2'W
Coffee
Coffee
Mill Creek
Mill Lake
8,000
33°44.1'N
95°58.0'W
Sandy Creek
Lake Crockett
3,900
33°44.5'N
95°55.5'W
Sanders Creek
Pat Mayse
124,500
33°51.2'N
95°32.9'W
Pine Creek
Lake Crook
11,011
33°43.7'N
95°34.0'W
Big Pine Creek
Big Pine Lake
138,600
33°52.0'N
95°11.7'W
Pecan Bayou
Pecan Bayou
625,000
33°41.1'N
94°58.7'W
Mud Creek
Liberty Hill
97,700
33°33.0'N
94°29.3'W
KVW Ranch
Mud Creek
Lakes(3)
3,440
33°34.8'N
94°27.3'W
"(b) Texas is apportioned the water of this subbasin and shall
have unrestricted use thereof.
"Sec. 5.03. Subbasin 3--Interstate streams--Oklahoma and
Arkansas.
"(a) This subbasin includes Little River and its tributaries
above Millwood Dam.
"(b) The States of Oklahoma and Arkansas shall have free and
unrestricted use of the water of this subbasin within their
respective states, subject, however, to the limitation that
Oklahoma shall allow a quantity of water equal to 40 percent of
the total runoff originating below the following existing,
authorized or proposed last downstream major damsites in Oklahoma
to flow into Arkansas:
Location
Stream
Site
Ac-ft
Latitude
Longitude
Little River
Pine Creek
70,500
34°06.8'N
95°04.9'W
Glover Creek
Lukfata
258,600
34°08.5'N
94°55.4'W
Mountain
Fork River
Broken Bow
470,100
34°08.9'N
94°41.2'W
"(c) Accounting will be on an annual basis unless otherwise
deemed necessary by the States of Arkansas and Oklahoma.
"Sec. 5.04. Subbasin 4--Interstate streams--Texas and Arkansas.
"(a) This subbasin shall consist of those streams and their
tributaries above existing, authorized or proposed last
downstream major damsites, originating in Texas and crossing the
Texas-Arkansas state boundary before flowing into the Red River
in Arkansas. These streams and their tributaries with existing,
authorized or proposed last downstream major damsites are as
follows:
Location
Stream
Site
Ac-ft
Latitude
Longitude
McKinney
Bayou Trib.
Bringle Lake
3,052
33°30.6'N
94°06.2'W
Barkman
Barkman
Creek
Reservoir
15,900
33°29.7'N
94°10.3'W
Sulphur River
Texarkana
386,900
33°18.3'N
94°09.6'W
"(b) The State of Texas shall have the free and unrestricted use
of the water of this subbasin.
"Sec. 5.05. Subbasin 5--Mainstem of the Red River and
tributaries.
"(a) This subbasin includes that portion of the Red River,
together with its tributaries, from Denison Dam down to the
Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary, excluding all tributaries
included in the other four subbasins of Reach II.
"(b) Water within this subbasin is allocated as follows:
"(1) The Signatory States shall have equal rights to the use of
runoff originating in subbasin 5 and undesignated water flowing
into subbasin 5, so long as the flow of the Red River at the
Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary is 3,000 cubic feet per second
or more, provided no state is entitled to more than 25 percent of
the water in excess of 3,000 cubic feet per second.
"(2) Whenever the flow of the Red River at the Arkansas-Louisiana
state boundary is less than 3,000 cubic feet per second, but more
than 1,000 cubic feet per second, the States of Arkansas,
Oklahoma, and Texas shall allow to flow into the Red River for
delivery to the State of Louisiana a quantity of water equal to
40 percent of the total weekly runoff originating in subbasin 5
and 40 percent of undesignated water flowing into subbasin 5;
provided, however, that this requirement shall not be interpreted
to require any state to release stored water.
"(3) Whenever the flow of the Red River at the Arkansas-Louisiana
state boundary falls below 1,000 cubic feet per second, the
States of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas shall allow a quantity of
water equal to all the weekly runoff originating in subbasin 5
and all undesignated water flowing into subbasin 5 within their
respective states to flow into the Red River as required to
maintain a 1,000 cubic foot per second flow at the
Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary.
"(c) Whenever the flow at Index, Arkansas, is less than 526
c.f.s., the states of Oklahoma and Texas shall each allow a
quantity of water equal to 40 percent of the total weekly runoff
originating in subbasin 5 within their respective states to flow
into the Red River; provided however, this provision shall be
invoked only at the request of Arkansas, only after Arkansas has
ceased all diversions from the Red River itself in Arkansas above
Index, and only if the provisions of Sub-sections 5.05(b)(2) and
(3) have not caused a limitation of diversions in subbasin 5.
"(d) No state guarantees to maintain a minimum low flow to a
downstream state.
"Sec. 5.06. Special Provisions.
"(a) Reservoirs within the limits of Reach II, subbasin 5, with a
conservation storage capacity of 1,000 acre feet or less in
existence or authorized on the date of the Compact pursuant to
the rights and privileges granted by a Signatory State
authorizing such reservoirs, shall be exempt from the provisions
of Section 5.05; provided, if any right to store water in, or use
water from, an existing exempt reservoir expires or is cancelled
after the effective date of the Compact the exemption for such
rights provided by this section shall be lost.
"(b) A Signatory State may authorize a change in the purpose or
place of use of water from a reservoir exempted by subparagraph
(a) of this section without losing that exemption, if the
quantity of authorized use and storage is not increased.
"(c) Additionally, exemptions from the provisions of Section 5.05
shall not apply to direct diversions from Red River to
off-channel reservoirs or lands.
"Subdivision of Reach III and allocation of water therein. Reach
III of the Red River is divided into topographic subbasins, and
the water therein allocated, as follows:
"ARTICLE VI
"APPORTIONMENT OF WATER--REACH III
"ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA, AND TEXAS
"Sec. 6.01. Subbasin 1--Interstate streams--Arkansas and Texas.
"(a) This subbasin includes the Texas portion of those streams
crossing the Arkansas-Texas state boundary one or more times and
flowing through Arkansas into Cypress Creek-Twelve Mile Bayou
watershed in Louisiana.
"(b) Texas is apportioned sixty (60) percent of the runoff of
this subbasin and shall have unrestricted use thereof; Arkansas
is entitled to forty (40) percent of the runoff of this subbasin.
"Sec. 6.02. Subbasin 2--Interstate streams--Arkansas and
Louisiana.
"(a) This subbasin includes the Arkansas portion of those streams
flowing from Subbasin 1 into Arkansas, as well as other streams
in Arkansas which cross the Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary one
or more times and flow into Cypress Creek-Twelve Mile Bayou
watershed in Louisiana.
"(b) Arkansas is apportioned sixty (60) percent of the runoff of
this subbasin and shall have unrestricted use thereof; Louisiana
is entitled to forty (40) percent of the runoff of this subbasin.
"Sec. 6.03. Subbasin 3--Interstate streams--Texas and Louisiana.
"(a) This subbasin includes the Texas portion of all tributaries
crossing the Texas-Louisiana state boundary one or more times and
flowing into Caddo Lake, Cypress Creek-Twelve Mile Bayou or Cross
Lake, as well as the Louisiana portion of such tributaries.
"(b) Texas and Louisiana within their respective boundaries shall
each have the unrestricted use of the water of this subbasin
subject to the following allocation:
"(1) Texas shall have the unrestricted right to all water above
Marshall, Lake O' the Pines, and Black Cypress damsites; however,
Texas shall not cause runoff to be depleted to a quantity less
than that which would have occurred with the full operation of
Franklin County, Titus County, Ellison Creek, Johnson Creek, Lake
O' the Pines, Marshall, and Black Cypress Reservoirs constructed,
and those other impoundments and diversions existing on the
effective date of this Compact. Any depletions of runoff in
excess of the depletions described above shall be charged against
Texas' apportionment of the water in Caddo Reservoir.
"(2) Texas and Louisiana shall each have the unrestricted right
to use fifty (50) percent of the conservation storage capacity in
the present Caddo Lake for the impoundment of water for state
use, subject to the provision that supplies for existing uses of
water from Caddo Lake, on date of Compact, are not reduced.
"(3) Texas and Louisiana shall each have the unrestricted right
to fifty (50) percent of the conservation storage capacity of any
future enlargement of Caddo Lake, provided, the two states may
negotiate for the release of each state's share of the storage
space on terms mutually agreed upon by the two states after the
effective date of this Compact.
"(4) Inflow to Caddo Lake from its drainage area downstream from
Marshall, Lake O' the Pines, and Black Cypress damsites and
downstream from other last downstream dams in existence on the
date of the signing of the Compact document by the Compact
Commissioners, will be allowed to continue flowing into Caddo
Lake except that any manmade depletions to this inflow by Texas
will be subtracted from the Texas share of the water in Caddo
Lake.
"(c) In regard to the water of interstate streams which do not
contribute to the inflow to Cross Lake or Caddo Lake, Texas shall
have the unrestricted right to divert and use this water on the
basis of a division of runoff above the state boundary of sixty
(60) percent to Texas and forty (40) percent to Louisiana.
"(d) Texas and Louisiana will not construct improvements on the
Cross Lake watershed in either state that will affect the yield
of Cross Lake; provided, however, this subsection shall be
subject to the provisions of Section 2.08.
"Sec. 6.04. Subbasin 4--Intrastate streams--Louisiana.
"(a) This subbasin includes that area of Louisiana in Reach III
not included within any other subbasin.
"(b) Louisiana shall have free and unrestricted use of the water
of this subbasin.
"Subdivision of Reach IV and allocation of water therein. Reach
IV of the Red River is divided into topographic subbasins, and
the water therein allocated as follows:
"ARTICLE VII
"APPORTIONMENT OF WATER--REACH IV
"ARKANSAS AND LOUISIANA
"Sec. 7.01. Subbasin 1--Intrastate streams--Arkansas.
"(a) This subbasin includes those streams and their tributaries
above last downstream major damsites originating in Arkansas and
crossing the Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary before flowing
into the Red River in Louisiana. Those major last downstream
damsites are as follows:
Location
Stream
Site
Ac-ft
Latitude
Longitude
Ouachita
Lake
River
Catherine
19,000
34°26.6'N
93°01.6'W
Caddo River
DeGray Lake
1,377,000
34°13.2'N
93°06.6'W
Little Missouri
River
Lake Greeson
600,000
34°08.9'N
93°42.9'W
Alum Fork,
Saline River
Lake Winona
63,264
32°47.8'N
92°51.0'W
"(b) Arkansas is apportioned the waters of this subbasin and
shall have unrestricted use thereof.
"Sec. 7.02. Subbasin 2--Interstate Streams--Arkansas and
Louisiana.
"(a) This subbasin shall consist of Reach IV less subbasin 1 as
defined in Section 7.01(a) above.
"(b) The State of Arkansas shall have free and unrestricted use
of the water of this reach subject to the limitation that
Arkansas shall allow a quantity of water equal to forty (40)
percent of the weekly runoff originating below or flowing from
the last downstream major damsite to flow into Louisiana. Where
there are no designated last downstream damsites, Arkansas shall
allow a quantity of water equal to forty (40) percent of the
total weekly runoff originating above the state boundary to flow
into Louisiana. Use of water in this subbasin is subject to low
flow provisions of subparagraph 7.02(b).
"Sec. 7.03. Special Provisions.
"(a) Arkansas may use the beds and banks of segments of Reach IV
for the purpose of conveying its share of water to designated
downstream diversions.
"(b) The State of Arkansas does not guarantee to maintain a
minimum low flow for Louisiana in Reach IV. However, on the
following streams when the use of water in Arkansas reduces the
flow at the Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary to the following
amounts:
"(1) Ouachita--780 cfs
"(2) Bayou Bartholomew--80 cfs
"(3) Boeuf River--40 cfs
"(4) Bayou Macon--40 cfs
the State of Arkansas pledges to take affirmative steps to
regulate the diversions of runoff originating or flowing into
Reach IV in such a manner as to permit an equitable apportionment
of the runoff as set out herein to flow into the State of
Louisiana. In its control and regulation of the water of Reach IV
any adjudication or order rendered by the State of Arkansas or
any of its instrumentalities or agencies affecting the terms of
this Compact shall not be effective against the State of
Louisiana nor any of its citizens or inhabitants until approved
by the Commission.
"ARTICLE VIII
"APPORTIONMENT OF WATER--REACH V
"Sec. 8.01. Reach V of the Red River consists of the mainstem Red
River and all of its tributaries lying wholly within the State of
Louisiana. The State of Louisiana shall have free and
unrestricted use of the water of this subbasin.
"ARTICLE IX
"ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMPACT
"Sec. 9.01. There is hereby created an interstate administrative
agency to be known as the 'Red River Compact Commission,'
hereinafter called the 'Commission.' The Commission shall be
composed of two representatives from each Signatory State who
shall be designated or appointed in accordance with the laws of
each state, and one Commissioner representing the United States,
who shall be appointed by the President. The Federal Commissioner
shall be the Chairman of the Commission but shall not have the
right to vote. The failure of the President to appoint a Federal
Commissioner will not prevent the operation or effect of this
Compact, and the eight representatives from the Signatory States
will elect a Chairman for the Commission.
"Sec. 9.02. The Commission shall meet and organize within 60 days
after the effective date of this Compact. Thereafter, meetings
shall be held at such times and places as the Commission shall
decide.
"Sec. 9.03. Each of the two Commissioners from each state shall
have one vote; provided, however, that if only one representative
from a state attends he is authorized to vote on behalf of the
absent Commissioner from that state. Representatives from three
states shall constitute a quorum. Any action concerned with
administration of this Compact or any action requiring compliance
with specific terms of this Compact shall require six concurring
votes. If a proposed action of the Commission affects existing
water rights in a state, and that action is not expressly
provided for in this Compact, eight concurring votes shall be
required.
"Sec. 9.04.
"(a) The salaries and personal expenses of each state's
representative shall be paid by the government that it
represents, and the salaries and personal expenses of the Federal
Commissioner will be paid for by the United States.
"(b) The Commission's expenses for any additional stream flow
gaging stations shall be equitably apportioned among the states
involved in the reach in which the stream flow gaging stations
are located.
"(c) All other expenses incurred by the Commission shall be borne
equally by the Signatory States and shall be paid by the
Commission out of the 'Red River Compact Commission Fund.' Such
Fund shall be initiated and maintained by equal payments of each
state into the fund. Disbursement shall be made from the fund in
such manner as may be authorized by the Commission. Such fund
shall not be subject to audit and accounting procedures of the
state; however, all receipts and disbursements of the fund by the
Commission shall be audited by a qualified independent public
accountant at regular intervals, and the report of such audits
shall be included in and become a part of the annual report of
the Commission. Each state shall have the right to make its own
audit of the accounts of the Commission at any reasonable time.
"ARTICLE X
"POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION
"Sec. 10.01. The Commission shall have the power to:
"(a) Adopt rules and regulations governing its operation and
enforcement of the terms of the Compact;
"(b) Establish and maintain an office for the conduct of its
affairs and, if desirable, from time to time, change its
location;
"(c) Employ or contract with such engineering, legal, clerical
and other personnel as it may determine necessary for the
exercise of its functions under this Compact without regard to
the Civil Service Laws of any Signatory State; provided that such
employees shall be paid by and be responsible to the Commission
and shall not be considered employees of any Signatory State.
"(d) Acquire, use and dispose of such real and personal property
as it may consider necessary;
"(e) Enter into contracts with appropriate State or Federal
agencies for the collection, correlation and presentation of
factual data, for the maintenance of records and for the
preparation of reports;
"(f) Secure from the head of any department or agency of the
Federal or State government such information as it may need or
deem to be useful for carrying out its functions and as may be
available to or procurable by the department or agency to which
the request is addressed; provided such information is not
privileged and the department or agency is not precluded by law
from releasing same;
"(g) Make findings, recommendations or reports in connection with
carrying out the purposes of this Compact, including, but not
limited to, a finding that a Signatory State is or is not in
violation of any of the provisions of this Compact. The
Commission is authorized to make such investigations and studies,
and to hold such hearings as it may deem necessary for said
purposes. It is authorized to make and file official certified
copies of any of its findings, recommendations or reports with
such officers or agencies of any Signatory State, or the United
States, as may have any interest in or jurisdiction over the
subject matter. The making of findings, recommendations, or
reports by the Commission shall not be a condition precedent to
the instituting or maintaining of any action or proceeding of any
kind by a Signatory State in any court or tribunal, or before any
agency or officer, for the protection of any right under this
Compact or for the enforcement of any of its provisions; and
"(h) Print or otherwise reproduce and distribute its proceedings
and reports.
"Sec. 10.02. The Commission shall:
"(a) Cause to be established, maintained, and operated such
stream, reservoir and other gaging stations as are necessary for
the proper administration of the Compact;
"(b) Cause to be collected, analyzed and reported such
information on stream flows, water quality, water storage and
such other data as are necessary for the proper administration of
the Compact;
"(c) Perform all other functions required of it by the Compact
and do all things necessary, proper and convenient in the
performance of its duties thereunder;
"(d) Prepare and submit to the governor of each of the Signatory
States a budget covering the anticipated expenses of the
Commission for the following fiscal biennium;
"(e) Prepare and submit an annual report to the governor of each
Signatory State and to the President of the United States
covering the activities of the Commission for the preceding
fiscal year, together with an accounting of all funds received
and expended by it in the conduct of its work;
"(f) Make available to the governor or to any official agency of
a Signatory State or to any authorized representative of the
United States, upon request, any information within its
possession;
"(g) Not incur any obligation in excess of the unencumbered
balance of its funds, nor pledge the credit of any of the
Signatory States; and
"(h) Make available to a Signatory State or the United States in
any action arising under this Compact, without subpoena, the
testimony of any officer or employee of the Commission having
knowledge of any relevant facts.
"ARTICLE XI
"POLLUTION
"Sec. 11.01. The Signatory States recognize that the increase in
population and the growth of industrial, agricultural, mining and
other activities combined with natural pollution sources may lead
to a diminution of the quality of water in the Red River Basin
which may render the water harmful or injurious to the health and
welfare of the people and impair the usefulness or public
enjoyment of the water for beneficial purposes, thereby resulting
in adverse social, economic, and environmental impacts.
"Sec. 11.02. Although affirming the primary duty and
responsibility of each Signatory State to take appropriate action
under its own laws to prevent, diminish, and regulate all
pollution sources within its boundaries which adversely affect
the water of the Red River Basin, the states recognize that the
control and abatement of the naturally-occurring salinity sources
as well as, under certain circumstances, the maintenance and
enhancement of the quality of water in the Red River Basin may
require the cooperative action of all states.
"Sec. 11.03. The Signatory States agree to cooperate with
agencies of the United States to devise and effectuate means of
alleviating the natural deterioration of the water of the Red
River Basin.
"Sec. 11.04. The Commission shall have the power to cooperate
with the United States, the Signatory States and other entities
in programs for abating and controlling pollution and natural
deterioration of the water of the Red River Basin, and to
recommend reasonable water quality objectives to the states.
"Sec. 11.05. Each Signatory State agrees to maintain current
records of waste discharges into the Red River Basin and the type
and quality of such discharges, which records shall be furnished
to the Commission upon request.
"Sec. 11.06. Upon receipt of a complaint from the governor of a
Signatory State that the interstate water of the Red River Basin
in which it has an interest are being materially and adversely
affected by pollution and that the state in which the pollution
originates has failed after reasonable notice to take appropriate
abatement measures, the Commission shall make such findings as
are appropriate and thereafter provide such findings to the
governor of the state in which such pollution originates and
request appropriate corrective action. The Commission, however,
shall not take any action with respect to pollution which
adversely affects only the state in which such pollution
originates.
"Sec. 11.07. In addition to its other powers set forth under this
Article, the Commission shall have the authority, upon receipt of
six concurring votes, to utilize applicable Federal statutes to
institute legal action in its own name against the person or
entity responsible for interstate pollution problems; provided,
however, sixty (60) days before initiating legal action the
Commission shall notify the Governor of the state in which the
pollution source is located to allow that state an opportunity to
initiate action in its own name.
"Sec. 11.08. Without prejudice to any other remedy available to
the Commission, or any Signatory State, any state which is
materially and adversely affected by the pollution of the water
of the Red River Basin by pollution originating in another
Signatory State may institute a suit against any individual,
corporation, partnership, or association, or against any
Signatory State or political or governmental subdivision thereof,
or against any officer, agency, department, bureau, district or
instrumentality of or in any Signatory State contributing to such
pollution in accordance with applicable Federal statutes. Nothing
herein shall be construed as depriving any persons of any rights
of action relating to pollution which such person would have if
this Compact had not been made.
"ARTICLE XII
"TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF COMPACT
"Sec. 12.01. This Compact may be terminated at any time by
appropriate action of the legislatures of all of the four
Signatory States. In the event of such termination, all rights
established under it shall continue unimpaired.
"Sec. 12.02. This Compact may be amended at any time by
appropriate action of the legislatures of all Signatory States
that are affected by such amendment. The consent of the United
States Congress must be obtained before any such amendment is
effective.
"ARTICLE XIII
"RATIFICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF COMPACT
"Sec. 13.01. Notice of ratification of this Compact by the
legislature of each Signatory State shall be given by the
governor thereof to the governors of each of the other Signatory
States and to the President of the United States. The President
is hereby requested to give notice to the governors of each of
the Signatory States of the consent to this Compact by the
Congress of the United States.
"Sec. 13.02. This Compact shall become effective, binding and
obligatory when, and only when:
"(a) It has been duly ratified by each of the Signatory States;
and
"(b) It has been consented to by an Act of the Congress of the
United States, which Act provides that:
"Any other statute of the United States to the contrary
notwithstanding, in any case or controversy:
"which involves the construction or application of this Compact;
"in which one or more of the Signatory States to this Compact is
a plaintiff or plaintiffs; and
"which is within the judicial power of the United States as set
forth in the Constitution of the United States;
"and without any requirement, limitation or regard as to the sum
or value of the matter in controversy, or of the place of
residence or citizenship of, or of the nature, character or legal
status of, any of the other proper parties plaintiff or defendant
in such case or controversy:
"The consent of Congress is given to name and join the United
States as a party defendant or otherwise in any such case or
controversy in the Supreme Court of the United States if the
United States is an indispensable party thereto.
"Sec. 13.03. The United States District Courts shall have
original jurisdiction (concurrent with that of the Supreme Court
of the United States, and concurrent with that of any other
Federal or state court, in matters in which the Supreme Court, or
other court has original jurisdiction) of any case or controversy
involving the application or construction of this Compact; that
said jurisdiction shall include, but not be limited to, suits
between Signatory States; and that the venue of such case or
controversy may be brought in any judicial district in which the
acts complained of (or any portion thereof) occur.
SIGNED AND APPROVED on the 12th day of May 1978 at Denison Dam.
John P. Saxton
Arthur R. Theis
John P. Saxton, Commissioner
Arthur R. Theis, Commissioner
State of Arkansas
State of Louisiana
Orville B. Saunders
Fred Parkey
Orville B. Saunders,
Fred Parkey,
Commissioner
Commissioner
State of Oklahoma
State of Texas
R.C. Marshall
R.C. MARSHALL, Major General
Representative
United States of America"
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 551, ch. 261, Sec. 1, eff. May
24, 1979.