MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 10, 2012 – The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will add the final signature to a Cost Share Agreement for the Congressionally authorized Lower Mississippi River Resource Assessment (LMRRA) at 2 p.m. on Jan. 11 in room 560 of the Clifford Davis-Odell Horton Federal Building, 167 N. Main St., in Memphis. The Cost Share Agreement has already been signed by Michael Reuter, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Great River Partnership (TNC-GRP) – the principle non-Federal sponsor. The Cost Share Agreement establishes the contractual relationship between the Federal government and the non-Federal sponsor for the LMRRA.
“This is the final step in the process before we begin the first of three assessments authorized by Congress under the LMRRA,” Col. Vernie Reichling, Memphis District Commander said. “It clears the way for us to begin work with our many partners to chart a comprehensive way forward to effectively manage one of America’s greatest resources now and for generations to come.”
Col. Reichling will sign the agreement on behalf of the Department of the Army.
The three assessments will examine:
1. Information needed for future river-related management
2. Natural resource habitat needs, and
3. The need for river-related recreation and access.
TNC-GRP’s partners in the $1.67 million assessment include The Nature Conservancy – Mississippi, The Nature Conservancy – Tennessee, The Audubon Society, Delta Wildlife, The Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Quapaw Canoe Co., Mississippi Wildlife, the American Land Conservancy and the Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee, Inc.
The Corps of Engineers expects to complete the first assessment within two years. The two subsequent assessments will be done based on the findings of the first assessment and subject to Federal funding availability.