Mississippi River Commission schedules low-water inspection trip

Published Aug. 7, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Mississippi River Commission will conduct a low-water inspection trip in the Missouri River Basin starting in Bismarck, N. D., and traveling the river to Washington, Mo., August 12-16, 2012.

Four public engagements have been scheduled in selected towns along the Missouri River so commission members have the opportunity to meet with local residents and hear their concerns, ideas and issues. The places, dates and times of the public engagements are as follows

 

•           Aug. 12            3:30 p.m.         Best Western Doublewood Inn, East Heritage Room

                                                            1400 East Interchange Avenue, Bismarck, N.D. 58501

•           Aug. 13            2 p.m.              Casey Tibbs S.D. Rodeo Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room
                                                            210 Verendrye Drive, Fort Pierre, S.D.

•           Aug. 15            1 p.m.              St. Joseph, Mo., at Ramada Conference Center

                                                            4016 Frederick Blvd, St. Joesph, Mo.

•           Aug. 16            2 p.m.              Washington, Mo., at City Hall

                                                            405 Jefferson Street, Washington, Mo.

 

All engagements are open to the public. The purpose of the engagements is to maintain a dialogue, an exchange of viewpoints and ideas flowing between the public, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the commission. Presentations by the public may be made orally, with a copy of the remarks presented to the commission for the official record.

 

Local interests are invited to present their views and suggestions on matters affecting the water resources infrastructure needs in the basin, including flood control, environmental issues, recreation and navigation.

           

The MRC, established in 1879, is composed of seven members, each nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. Three of the organization's members are officers of the Corps of Engineers; one member is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and three members are civilians, two of whom are civil engineers.

 

General duties of the commission include recommendation of policy and work programs, the study of and reporting upon the necessity for modifications or additions to the flood control and navigation project, recommendation upon any matters authorized by law, and making semi-annual inspection trips. The responsibilities of the commission include the entire length of the Mississippi River from its headwaters at Lake Itasca, Minn., to Head of Passes, La., where the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico.  Tributaries of the Mississippi River, including the Missouri River, are also within the responsibility of the commission.

 

Oral and written statements for the record are made at the public engagements. They may also be submitted prior to the meeting date and may be submitted via email to cemvd-ex@usace.army.mil or through regular mail to

 

Edie Whittington

CEMVD-EX

Mississippi River Commission

P.O. Box 80

Vicksburg, MS 39181-0080

 

These public engagements will provide the Mississippi River Commission and the Corps with the benefit of hearing the issues and concerns first- hand. Also, the interaction with congressional, federal and state interests, local boards and non-government organizations and the public is crucial to the decision-making process of the commission.

 

Since 1879, the commission has developed and matured plans for the general improvement of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The Commission brings critical engineering representation to the drainage basin, which impacts 41 percent of the United States and includes 1.25 million square miles, more than 250 tributaries, 31 states and two Canadian provinces.

 

Media will have the opportunity to interview members of the commission on matters affecting water resources infrastructure needs in the basin, including flood control, environmental issues, recreation and navigation. The following media opportunities are scheduled for the following locations

 

•           Aug. 12            3:10 – 3:30 p.m. Best Western Doublewood Inn, East Heritage Room

                                                               1400 East Interchange Avenue, Bismarck, N.D. 58501

•           Aug. 13            1:40 - 2 p.m.       Casey Tibbs S.D. Rodeo Center,

                                                                Second Floor Conference Room
                                                                210 Verendrye Drive, Fort Pierre, S.D.

•           Aug. 15            12:40 - 1 p.m.     Ramada Conference Center, Bartlett Room

                                                               4016 Frederick Blvd, St. Joesph, Mo.

•           Aug. 16            12:45 - 1 p.m.     Photojournalism Hall of Fame

                                                               405 Jefferson Street, Washington, Mo.

 

 

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Release no. NR20120807