VICKSBURG, Miss., July 27, 2016 -- The Mississippi River Commission will conduct its annual
low-water
inspection trip on the Mississippi River within the Memphis District August 15 - 16, 2016.
Within the boundaries of the Memphis District, two public meetings have been scheduled aboard the
Motor Vessel MISSISSIPPI so commission members have the opportunity to meet with local partners,
stakeholders and residents and hear their concerns, ideas and issues. The meeting places, dates and
times are as follows:
• August 15 9:00 a.m. Caruthersville, Mo. (City Front/Boat Ramp)
• August 16 9:00 a.m. Helena, Ark. (Helena River Park/Cunningham Road)
All meetings are open to the public. Anyone with an interest is 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,
navigation and others.
For the first time, the Memphis District will livestream both the Caruthersville and Helena Public
Meetings over the Memphis District Facebook page. To view on the days of the meetings or to watch
an archived version go to https://www.facebook.com/MemphisUSACE/
The agenda for each public meeting will be as follows:
1. Summary report by President of the Commission on 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's overview for the Commission on current project issues in the respective
area.
3. Presentations to the Commission by local organizations and members of the public giving views
or comments on any issue affecting the programs or projects of the Commission and the Corps of
Engineers.
The MRC, established in 1879, is composed of seven members, each nominated by the President of the
United States and vetted 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.
The purpose of the public meetings is to maintain a dialogue, an exchange of viewpoints and ideas
flowing between the watershed interests, the public and the Corps. Presentations by the public are
made orally, but a copy of the remarks should be presented to the commission for the official
record and written responses.
The public hearing process is unique to the Mississippi River Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. The benefits of hearing the issues and concerns first hand 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 for the nation’s water resources.
Since 1879, the seven-member Presidentially appointed Mississippi River Commission has developed
and matured plans for the general improvement of the Mississippi River from the Head of Passes to
the Headwaters. The Mississippi River Commission brings critical engineering representation to the
drainage basin, which impacts 41% of the United States and includes 1.25 million square miles, over
250 tributaries, 31 states and two Canadian provinces.
Listening, Inspecting, Partnering and Engineering since 1879.
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