26 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION 

P.O. BOX 80 

VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI 39181-0080 

PRESIDENT and MEMBER 

*Brig. Gen. Michael J. Walsh 

Commander, Mississippi 

Valley Division 

Vicksburg, Mississippi 

MEMBERS 

' Honorable Sam E. Angel 

Civilian 

Lake Village, Arkansas 

Honorable R. D. James 

Civilian/Civil Engineer 

New Madrid, Missouri 

' Honorable Wm . Clifford Smith 

Civilian/Civil Engineer 

Houma, Louisiana 

' Rear Adm . Jonathan W. Bailey 

National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration 

Silver Spring, Maryland 

' Maj. Gen. John W. Peabody 

Commander, Great Lakes & 

Ohio River Division 

Cincinnati, Ohio 

' Brig. Gen. William E. Rapp 

Commander, Northwestern 

Division 

Portland, Oregon 

SECRETARY 

Col. George T. Shepard Jr. 

Vicksburg, Mississippi 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Mr. T. Stephen Gambrell 

Vicksburg, Mississippi 

(601) 634-5766 

Email: cemvd-ex@usace.army.mil 

Web site: www.mvd.usace.army.mil 

*designee 

** nominated 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION 

VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI 

August 20, 2009 

STATEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION 

LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER RESOURCE ASSESSMENT 

DRAFT RECONNAISSANCE REPORT 

Since its establishment in 1879, the Mississippi River 

Commission has been charged with developing plans for the general 

improvement of the Mississippi River to facilitate navigation, 

promote commerce, and prevent destructive floods. The Mississippi 

River Commission recognizes the vital importance of the vast natural 

resources of the Mississippi River to the nation. Maintaining the 

great natural resources of the river is of vital significance to the 

comprehensive approach to fulfilling the objectives and 

requirements of the nation's responsibilities. 

The focus of the Commission continues to be on listening, 

inspecting, partnering, and engineering to help find solutions to 

water resource challenges facing the watershed. During the 2009 

Low-Water Inspection Trip, the Commission received testimony 

appreciative of, and in opposition to, the Lower Mississippi River 

Resource Assessment, Draft Reconnaissance Report, dated 

July 2009. While generally supportive of the assessment, the 

Commission finds that the report addresses only a part of the larger 

picture that comprises the many valuable resources of the lower 

Mississippi River valley. The study appears to be insufficient by 

failing to adequately address key issues such as the impacts on 

private property rights, navigation, and flood damage reduction. 

Also, the footprint of the study does not include a valuable area of 

coastal Louisiana between the mouths of the Mississippi and the 

Atchafalaya Rivers. 

The Mississippi River Commission remains dedicated to 

helping achieve a sustainable long-term vision that includes the 

balanced and appropriate use of the incredible resource that makes 

up the entire Mississippi watershed. We will continue to work with 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, other Federal agencies, and other 

non-governmental groups to realize that vision. 

Since 1879, the seven- member Presidentially appointed Mississippi River Commission has developed and matured plans for the general improvement of the 

Mississ1pp1 River If om the Head of Passes to the Headwaters. The Mississippi R1ver Co mm1ss1on brings crll1cal engineering representation to the drainage bas1n, 

which impacts 41% of the United States and includes 1.25 million square miles, over 250 tributaries, 31 states, and 2 Canadian provinces. 

listening, Inspecting, Partnering and Engineering since 1879 
27 

Mississippi River Commission 

Lower Mississippi River Resource Assessment 

Draft Reconnaissance Study 

BG Michael J. Walsh 

President-Designee 

Mississippi Valley Division 

Vicksburg, MS 

Hon. . . James 

Civili ember, Engineer 

New Madrid, MO 

)i~L.I RADM Jonathan W. Bailey 

Member-Designee 

National Oceanic & 

Atmospheric Admin. 

Silver Spring, MD 

BG William E. Rapp 

Member-Designee 

Northwestern Division 

Portland, OR 

August 20, 2009 

Senior Civilian Member 

ge ~ Lake Village, AR 

Hon. Wm.~ 

-c?~~ Smith 

Civilian Member, Engineer 

Houma, LA 

G John W. Peabody 

Member-Designee 

Great Lakes & Ohio River 

Division 

Cincinnati, OH 

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 HealiNaters. 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 2 Canadian provinces. 

Listening, Inspecting, Partnering and Engineering since 1879