
What We Do
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.