Mississippi River Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to host public hearing aboard the MV Mississippi

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Mississippi River Commission, or MRC, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a public hearing aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi, at Riverside Park Landing in La Crosse, Wis., Aug. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.

At the hearing, the St Paul District commander will provide a summary report on the district’s projects within the Mississippi River. Then, the public will be given an opportunity to comment on the Corps’ work on the Upper Mississippi River. Agencies, local organizations and individuals are strongly encouraged to make presentations or offer views or comments on any issues affecting Corps of Engineers programs or projects.

Under the direction of the president of the United States, the MRC recommends policy and work programs for the six U.S. Army Corps of Engineers districts within the Mississippi Valley Division. These districts include the St. Paul, Rock Island, St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg and New Orleans districts. The Corps of Engineers uses the MV Mississippi to host public meetings aboard the vessel. When not in use for public meetings, the Corps uses the vessel to move barges in support of bank stabilization work on the Mississippi River.

Everyone attending the meeting should have photo identification and be able to vouch for members of their party, such as children, who do not have a photo ID. Attendees are asked to leave backpacks and large purses in their vehicles. People who do bring small purses and handbags on board will be subject to search by police officers.

The main deck on the MV Mississippi and the public hearing room have limited handicapped accessibility. For more information, contact Nate Wallerstedt nathan.h.wallerstedt@usace.army.mil or (651) 290-5477.

The nearly 700 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, employees working at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states serve the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. Through the Corps’ Fiscal Year 2011 $175 million budget, nearly 2,800 non-Corps jobs were added to the regional economy as well as $271 million to the national economy. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.

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