The Upper Mississippi River - An American Heritage River

                                                                                               

       

The primary purpose of this web site is to act as a resource for communities on the Upper Mississippi 

Rivers that are participating in the American Heritage River Iniative(AHRI).  The information presented 

here is directed toward communities that have specific projects goals and are trying to locate information 

and assistance from the appropriate federal agency.  With these goals in mind, communities in the Upper 

Mississippi River region may find the Federal agency employees listed on the left side of this page to be 

valuable points of contact.  In addition to the Federal agency information, links to other resources that 

may be of interest are provided.

 

American Heritage Rivers Initiative - Background

 

The American Heritage River Initiative was announced in President Clinton’s February 4, 

1997 State of the Union Address .  The initiative, outlined in Executive Order 13061, is a program designed to 

assist communities in revitalizing their rivers and riverfront areas.  Fourteen self-nominated rivers were designated 

in July 1998 as American Heritage Rivers. Each river is matched with a River Navigator, a federal employee who 

acts as a liaison between the communities along the river and programs that can provide technical and financial 

assistance to aid them in meeting their goals.  Project goals vary by community, but fall into one of three categories:  

economic revitalization, natural resource and environmental protection, and historic and cultural preservation.

 

The Upper Mississippi River Designation

 

Fifty-eight communities along the Upper Mississippi River from Bemidji, MN to St. Louis, MO comprise one of 

the fourteen American Heritage Rivers designations. The communities have outlined more than 100 projects 

including constructing trails, restoring wildlife habitat, building museums and visitor’s centers, and redeveloping 

brownfields. In addition to the individual goals of communities, six regional initiatives were outlined:

	Creation of a regional marketing strategy.
	Promotion of economic development and riverfront revitalization.
	Linkage of existing trails and greenways.
	Establishment or improvement in interpretive centers.
	Restoration of natural resources.
	The sharing of successful projects and expertise.

The initial nomination and plan of action for the Upper Mississippi River specifically identify these community 

projects and initiatives.

 

In April, the AHRI Interagency Committee in Washington, D.C. asked the River Navigators to select three 

keystone projects from each nomination that represent the diversity of community projects.  Selection was based 

on the criteria that each project would have a significant impact on the community, and that the planning stage had 

been completed and funding was needed to proceed with construction.  For each project selected, a report was 

prepared which outlined background, status, costs, and project support.  These reports were forwarded to the 

AHRI Interagency Committee in May.  The projects chosen from the Upper Mississippi River nomination were: 

Eads Bridge in St. Louis/East St. Louis, Nahant Marsh in Davenport, and the Mississippi River Discovery Center  

in Dubuque.

 

The River Navigator for the Upper Mississippi is:

Deanne M. Strauser
E-mail: Deanne.M.Strauser@usace.army.mil
U.S. Army Corps of Engineer District
1222 Spruce Street 
St. Louis, MO 63103-2833 
314-331-8047; 314-331-8774 (fax)

 
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