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What We Do

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CARIA is
 

• A forum for discussion and exchange of information
  
  Through annual and regional meetings, CARIA members can voice their concerns and discuss the relative merits of issues affecting the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa Basin.
   
• An advocate for continued federal investment in the development of waterways
   
  CARIA maintains an active liaison with the congressional representatives from Alabama and Georgia to promote the federal investment necessary to maintain and operate those waterway projects beneficial to the quality of life of people within the ACT Basin.
   
• An advocate for private investment of businesses that use the waterways for transportation, water supply, or development.
   
  One of CARIA's primary objectives is to maintain a navigable waterway on the Alabama River between Mobile and Montgomery. Maintaining certain flow rates are key to ensure sufficient water supply to several businesses for cooling and processing during manufacture and distribution of products.
   
• A communications link with government agencies, regional and national waterway organizations, and other interest groups.
   
  CARIA maintains contact with groups or agencies interested in the development of waterways through attendance at meetings, conferences, public hearings, correspondence, and other means.
   
• A unified voice on waterway issues
   
  With its longstanding history of advocacy for waterway development, CARIA is recognized as a significant voice in the region on issues affecting the ACT Basin.
   
  As such, it has been regarded as a primary stakeholder within the Basin by local, state, and federal agencies.
   
• A liaison with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Coast Guard.
   
• A source of information on economic and educational data pertaining to the inland waterways system.
   
  CARIA has access to databases of information on the inland waterways system. Many of those databases are available through links found on this website.
   
• CARIA promotes the benefits of barge transportation.
   
  Inland barge transportation carries 15% of the nation's domestic cargo, most of which is bulk material and outsized finished products. The barges that carry that cargo offer several economic and environmental advantages that make the inland waterways transportation system a valuable asset to the nation's economic and social well being.