Mississippi River Commission schedules Public Meeting
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August 11, St. Louis -- The Mississippi River Commission is conducting its annual low-water inspection trip on the Mississippi River August 10-22, 2008. The St. Louis-area public meeting will be held at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Ill., at 9 a.m., Friday, August 15.
Public meetings are held in conjunction with the inspection trip to provide the public, local interests and stakeholders an opportunity to present their views and suggestions on matters affecting the water resources infrastructure needs in the Mississippi Valley, including flood control, environmental issues, recreation and navigation.
The agenda for the August 15 public meeting is as follows:
1. Commission President and Mississippi Valley Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Walsh, will present a summary of national and regional issues affecting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Commission programs and projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
2. St. Louis District Commander, Col. Thomas E. O’Hara, will present an overview of current project issues in his district for the Commission.
3. Local organizations and members of the public will have an opportunity to make presentations or offer views or comments on any issue affecting programs or projects of the Commission and the Corps.
The purpose of the public meetings is to maintain a dialogue, an exchange of viewpoints and ideas flowing between the public, the Corps and the Commission. Presentations by the public are made orally, but a copy of the remarks should be presented to the Commission for the official record.
The public hearing process is unique to the Mississippi River Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The benefits of hearing first hand the issues and concerns through the public hearing process are invaluable to the Commission and the Corps. 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.
Eight public meetings have been scheduled aboard the Motor Vessel MISSISSIPPI in selected towns along the river during the two week inspection trip.
The meeting places, dates and times are as follows:
• August 11 9:00 a.m. Red Wing, MN (Levee Park)
• August 13 9:00 a.m. Davenport, IA (Oneida Landing)
• August 14 1:30 p.m. Hannibal, MO (City Front)
(This meeting is for observation only, no public comment. The Commission will consider the Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan.)
• August 15 9:00 a.m. Alton, IL (Mel Price Lock & Dam)
• August 18 9:00 a.m. New Madrid, MO (City Front)
• August 19 9:00 a.m. Memphis, TN (Mud Island River Park)
• August 20 9:00 a.m. Greenville, MS (City Front)
• August 22 9:00 a.m. Houma, LA (Cenac Towing Dock)
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 duties 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.
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Editor’s Note: A media availability with the MRC President, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Walsh, will be held just prior to the August 15 meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The Melvin Price Locks and Dam is located at #1 Lock and Dam Way, Alton, IL 62002. From I-270 crossing into Illinois take the IL Route 3 exit North to Alton. Turn left on Hwy 143 and then left at the first stoplight, Lock and Dam Way. Parking is available in front of the National Great Rivers Museum. The M/V MISSISSIPPI will be moored inside the auxiliary lock chamber, accessible by going through the museum. If planning to attend please call Alan Dooley at 314-331-8002 (w) / 618-719-9039 (c) or Nicole Dalrymple at 314-331-8068 (w) / 314-575-1521 (c).