Red River official: up to $3.5M to clear silt from floods

SHREVEPORT — An official says the Red River Waterway Commission may have to pay up to $3.5 million to clear silt deposited by this year’s floods.

Operations and maintenance director Mike Boydstun tells The Times the commission usually spends about $200,000 a year to dredge selected spots in the river and clean 19 launches and parks.

He says the cash will come from money set aside money for emergencies.

Boydstun says about 20,000 cubic yards of silt will be removed from just two boat launches. He says government agencies can use some of it, but it is no good for levee repair or foundations.

Bossier Parish Police Jury administrator Bill Altimus says it will be useful for sandbags, so the parish can store it rather than buying sand.