Mississippi River Commission schedules low water inspection trip

MEMPHIS, Tenn., August 4, 2008 – The Mississippi River Commission will conduct the Memphis
District portion of its annual low-water inspection trip on the Mississippi River August 18 and 19, 2008.
Two public meetings have been scheduled aboard the Motor Vessel MISSISSIPPI in New Madrid, Mo., and Memphis, Tenn., to give commission members the opportunity to meet with local residents and hear their concerns, ideas and issues. The meeting places, dates and times are as follows:

• August 18 9 a.m. New Madrid, MO (City Front)
• August 19 9a.m. Memphis, TN (Mud Island River Park)

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 meeting 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 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 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.