Mississippi River Commission schedules low-water inspection trip

MEMPHIS, Tenn., August 7, 2009 -- The Mississippi River Commission will conduct the Memphis District portion of its annual low-water inspection trip August 17 and 18, 2009.

Two public hearings have been scheduled aboard the Motor Vessel MISSISSIPPI in Tiptonville and Memphis, Tenn., so commission members have the opportunity to meet with local residents and hear their concerns, ideas and issues. The hearing places, dates and times are as follows:

• August 17 9:00 a.m. Tiptonville, Tenn., at River Park
• August 18 9:00 a.m. Memphis, Tenn., at Mud Island

All hearings are open to the public. Local interests are invited to present their views and suggestions on matters affecting the water resources infrastructure needs in the valley, including flood control and the Mississippi River and Tributaries project, environmental issues, recreation and navigation.
The agenda for each public hearing will be as follows:

1. President of the commission 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. District Commander 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 to the commission on any issue affecting programs or projects of the commission and the Corps.

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 jurisdiction of the commission includes 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.

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. This process allows the public a greater voice in shaping federal management policy of the river. 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.