 Credit: G.Sabel, Oct 7, 2020, when the river level was low and you could walk on the river bottom The Project: The Upper Lock and the land around it is currently owned by the federal government via the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Upper Lock was constructed in 1959 to allow commercial barges to navigate over the Falls, upriver to Upper Harbor Terminal. The Lock closed to commercial navigation in 2015 to halt the upriver spread of invasive carp. For more than 60 years, this iconic site on Minneapolis’s Central Riverfront has been fenced off with limited public access. The site is a barrier, not a gateway, to the River. The vision for Owámniyomni is to transform five acres at the Upper Lock into a place of healing, restoration, education, and connection. The river will be made accessible to people from its bank, so all people can touch the water without impediment, and the area along the riverbanks will be transformed from hardscapes to tall grass prairie, lowland forest, oak savannah, and traditional plants. The project is now in Season Two, with work projected to be complete in this part of the transformation by the end of 2027. The Goal: Owámniyomni Okhódayapi's goal is to create a place where Native and non-Native people feel welcome; where Dakota history, language, and culture are visible and celebrated; and where communities can come together to heal. Done right, this process can provide a model for how non-profits, municipalities, and other entities can respectfully partner with Tribal Nations and honor their inherent sovereignty.
The Mississippi is a river and is ever changing as flood and drought shape the river and it's relationship to the land along it's banks. Owámniyomni Okhódayapi's website shows pictures of the river as it was when Europeans first arrived in what is now called Minneapolis, and how the area changed over the years to meet the demands of the growing industry there. Dams were built and rebuilt, with tunnels and raceways to harness the power of the river to run lumber and grain mills. To Native people, these activities were a desecration, incompatible with a world view in which the River is a spirit and a mother, and in which all living natural things are our relatives. The project being undertaken here will bring back Dakota values to this area and begin the process of healing.
How LWV members can help to support the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement6/5/2025
 What is the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement? A Mississippi River Compact would be a legal agreement between all ten mainstem Mississippi River states and the Federal Government. If enacted, a Compact could provide a forum for management over the entire watershed comprehensively using the sovereign powers of both state and federal governments. Getting to a Mississippi River Compact is an epic endeavor, requiring the legislatures of all states to pass identical language adopting the Compact, and the US Congress to approve it. But are there steps that can be taken now to advance this cause? One step that’s being advanced is the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement. This agreement will strengthen collaboration among communities in the watershed by building a unique foundation for collective action and collaboration dedicated to the Mississippi River led from the local level. This agreement builds toward an interstate water compact by showcasing the extraordinary work that local governments and Tribes are already doing to protect the river. The work is being led by Alexandra Campbell-Ferrara, co-founder of the Center for Water Security and Cooperation, a non-partisan, non-profit environmental organization specializing in water policy and law based in Washington DC. Why do this? 1. Local and Tribal leaders who sign the Agreement will be able to participate in "the Roundtable" and develop shared values and principles for the Mississippi River watershed, which will inform the development of local, state, watershed, federal laws and policies. 2. Local and Tribal leaders who sign the Agreement will be eligible to win the Local Leader of the Year Award as well as to apply for small community grants as funding is available, and 3. Local and Tribal leaders who join will be joining a "Network" with whom to collaborate and problem-solve with opportunities for peer-exchanges and other experiences.
For more information, visit the Center for Water Security and Cooperation webpage on Agreement (includes text of agreement, FAQ, sign up links and more): https://thecwsc.org/mississippiriver/ Additional Resources: LWV UMRR program on possibility of a Mississippi River Compact: https://www.lwvumrr.org/blog/exploring-the-idea-of-a-mississippi-river-compact  Series graphic: Michael Crowe (Ag & Water Desk) with images by Jeff Wheeler and Anthony Soufflé (Minnesota Star Tribune)Wetlands are places where land and water meet. Throughout the Mississippi River watershed, wetlands store floodwater, improve drinking water quality and serve as homes for millions of birds and other animals. But this special ecosystem is facing growing threats from development, pollution, climate change, and recent court rulings that leave them vulnerable to destruction.
Against this backdrop, the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, a journalism collaborative based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in partnership with Report for America, is proud to announce a landmark reporting project exploring the wonder of and threats to these landscapes, “Down the Drain: A watershed moment for America’s greatest wetlands.” The eight-part series transports audiences from the vanishing coast of Louisiana to productive hunting lakes in Minnesota. It introduces diverse voices and life experiences, including Tennessee cattle farmers, wetland scientists, and homeowners in historically flood-prone areas of Mississippi. This collaborative project involved Desk reporters and editors in 12 states. Helmed by Desk editorial director Tegan Wendland, Minnesota Star Tribune environment editor James Eli Shiffer and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Madeline Heim, it is distinctive in the scope, depth and breadth with which it explores often-overlooked wetlands. “America’s wetlands represent diverse ecosystems, but they are often misunderstood and under-appreciated,” said Wendland. “Most of them are already gone, and the few that remain face increasing threats. At the Desk, we’re uniquely positioned to tell this story from headwaters to delta, and our reporters all across the Basin helped make this project a success through their commitment to storytelling.” This reporting arrives at an important political moment. Last year, the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA significantly limited the agency’s power to regulate wetlands, resulting in more than half the nation’s wetlands potentially losing federal protections. A March 2024 report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted an approximate 50% increase in wetland loss from 2009 to 2019 compared to the previous decade. Further, President Trump’s EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced the government will roll back federal protections on wetlands. “By bringing together newsrooms in multiple states, we can tell this story on the ground with precision and accuracy. At a time when our country is making huge changes to environmental policy, it’s important for people to understand the implications of decisions that affect them where they live,” said Sara Shipley Hiles, executive director of the Desk. In this project, the Desk explores how these many legal and policy changes affect wetlands in the basin and what it will mean for the health of the river and the people and wildlife that rely on it. The Mississippi is the nation’s largest watershed, home to 70 million Americans in 31 states. “Down the Drain” published April 14, 2025, following months of field reporting and research that took reporters into wetlands all across the river basin. Shiffer and Heim flew to Louisiana to join our Mississippi and Louisiana reporters in the field, conducting interviews and taking photos. “Through this project, I learned so much about these wondrous places, which have been abused and feared, yet they have been so good to us,” Shiffer said. “We’re grateful for this collaboration, which allows local outlets like the Minnesota Star Tribune to share our expertise and reach new audiences through the Desk’s network.” Stories in the series include: Part 1: A new era dawns for America’s disappearing wetlands as feds retreat from oversight by Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Part 2: For sport or food, love of birds is saving grace for America’s wetlands by Greg Stanley, Minnesota Star Tribune Part 3: Delta duck hunting offers conservation solutions, but the ducks are disappearing by Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and Phillip Powell, Arkansas Times Part 4: Wetlands protections built an industry for mitigation banking. Rollbacks could erode it. by Cassandra Stephenson, Tennessee Lookout, and Delaney Dryfoos, The Lens NOLA Part 5: “A living laboratory”: How an accidental delta taught Louisiana scientists how to rebuild wetlands by Elise Plunk, Louisiana Illuminator, and Eva Tesfaye, WWNO Part 6: Framing wetlands as a flooding solution won bipartisan support in Wisconsin. Could it work elsewhere? by Madeline Heim and Caitlin Looby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Part 7: A Mississippi flood relief project could harm 90,000 acres of valuable wetlands. Is it worth the tradeoff? by Illan Ireland, Mississippi Free Press Part 8: One Iowa landowner fights to farm a designated wetland. Others could face consequences downstream by Jared Strong, The Gazette; Jess Savage, WNIJ and Illan Ireland, Mississippi Free Press Ongoing coverage: Public gives input on how to define — and regulate — nation’s waters and wetlands by Jess Savage, WNIJ Beyond the reporting, the series also features a state-by-state local guide to visiting public wetlands by Dean Klinkenberg, author of “The Wild Mississippi: A State-by-State Guide to the River’s Natural Wonders.” Further, an innovative, interactive data visualization blends historical imagery, cultural context and cartography, inviting readers to explore a brief history of our relationship with wetlands throughout the Mississippi River Basin. All pieces are free to republish by news outlets. Interested news outlets are welcome to sign up to receive access to these and other stories. Members of the public can receive a weekly newsletter with our latest stories. Credits for the package include: Reporting by Madeline Heim (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Greg Stanley (Minnesota Star Tribune), Lucas Dufalla (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette), Phillip Powell (Arkansas Times), Cassandra Stephenson (Tennessee Lookout), Delaney Dryfoos (The Lens NOLA), Elise Plunk (Louisiana Illuminator), Eva Tesfaye (WWNO/WRKF), Caitlin Looby (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Illan Ireland (Mississippi Free Press), Jared Strong (The Gazette), Jess Savage (WNIJ Northern Public Radio). Additional content by author Dean Klinkenberg. Editing by Tegan Wendland (Ag & Water Desk) and James Eli Shiffer (Minnesota Star Tribune). Additional editing by Sara Shipley Hiles, Irina Zhorov and Michael Crowe (Ag & Water Desk) Data visualization by James Eli Shiffer (Minnesota Star Tribune), Jared Whalen (Ag & Water Desk), C.J. Sinner (Minnesota Star Tribune), Jake Steinberg (Minnesota Star Tribune), Bryan Brussee (Minnesota Star Tribune), and Tegan Wendland. Series graphic: Michael Crowe (Ag & Water Desk) with images by Jeff Wheeler and Anthony Soufflé (Minnesota Star Tribune) Audience engagement by Michael Crowe and Britny Cordera (Ag & Water Desk) About the Mississippi Ag & Water Desk The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is an independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, in partnership with Report For America and the Society of Environmental Journalists, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The mission of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is to enhance the quantity, quality and impact of journalism on agriculture, water and related issues throughout the nation’s largest watershed. Funding Disclosure The Ag & Water Desk receives major funding from the Walton Family Foundation. We operate with full editorial independence, and we note when our sources also receive Walton funding. Following is a list of sources in “Down the Drain” that also receive funding from Walton: Environmental Defense Fund, Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law & Policy, Tulane University, Ducks Unlimited, National Audubon Society, Harvard College, Liberty Justice Center, National Wildlife Federation. On June 3, LWV UMRR welcomed Sonja Trom Eayrs to talk about her book, "Dodge County, Incorporated: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America." Ms. Trom Eayrs was the guest speaker at the LWV UMRR Annual Meeting on June 3. We had a lively discussion; the video of that talk follows in this post. Many thanks to Sonja for speaking at this meeting!
the years that ultimately gave rise to the disembodied corporate control of today’s food system. Trom Eayrs argues that far from being an essential or inextricable part of American life, corporatism can and should be fought and curbed, not only for the sake of land, labor, and water but for democracy itself. Here is the video from June 3, on the left. Here, Ms Trom Eayrs had problems with her slides and not all the pictures appeared. The video on the right is from a presentation made for Farm Aid on March 31, 2025, and has all the pictures included.
In her talk, Sonja discussed other organizations that are active in this area. Here's that list of organizations: Dakota Resource Council Farm Aid Farm Action Food and Water Watch - Be sure and check out the most recent edition of Factory Farm Nation: 2024 Edition GROWW - GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture JFAN - Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Missouri Rural Crisis Center SRAP - Socially Responsible Agriculture Project As a reminder, Farm Aid will occur in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 20, 2025. OpEd piece of interest. https://www.startribune.com/opinion-big-ags-corporate-culture-of-indifference-has-been-years-in-the-making/601359545?utm_source=gift  Sonja Trom Eayrs is a farmer’s daughter, rural advocate, and attorney. She is involved in several rural advocacy organizations, including the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, Farm Action, Land Stewardship Project, and Dodge County Concerned Citizens. Trom Eayrs also serves as the business manager for the Trom family farm in Dodge County, Minnesota. For more information about the author, visit sonjatromeayrs.com. Dodge County, Incorporated, is available for purchase at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other bookstores. Readers are urged to post a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads  One of the strengths of the LWV UMRR Action Committee is that our members are active with many other environmental organizations and causes as well. We bring this activism to UMRR, where we work to learn and coordinate our actions with other like-minded, non-partisan organizations. Susan Johnson from LWV Janesville (Wisconsin) is an example of such an involved person. Susan is a member of the LWV UMRR Action Committee, and a Board member of the Green-Rock Audubon Society. She brings her passion, knowledge and love of the outdoors to both these roles, strengthening both organizations.
How did Susan get involved with the Green-Rock Audubon Society? As a member of the Green-Rock Audubon Society Board for the past seven years, I've worked passionately on advocacy to promote prairie and wetlands restoration, and conservation locally and across the state. From the time my dad first taught us how to fish, and took us camping to our state and national parks, I have loved being in wilder places. I’m still a hiker, biker, and fisher. (In her own words!) What is the Green-Rock Audubon Society? The Green-Rock Audubon Society is a non-profit formed in 1990, one year after the establishment of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant program. G-RAS is not only a local Wisconsin group of the National Audubon Society. It is belongs to the Gathering Waters Alliance for Land Trusts, which supports more than 40 land trusts across Wisconsin. G-RAS manages five properties it purchased with the help of Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grants. These properties are excellent examples of prairie and wetlands restoration, and conservation. This conservation work restores vital habitat for birds and other wildlife, but also provides valuable recreational opportunities for local residents. G-RAS welcomes all area hikers, forest bathers, hunters, and fisher people of varying abilities. South-central Wisconsin residents do not have to travel all the way “up north” for outdoor recreational fun.  What is Wisconsin's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program? In 1989, Governor Tommy Thompson and the Wisconsin Legislature created the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (or Stewardship Fund) to preserve valuable natural areas and wildlife habitat, protect water quality and fisheries and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Stewardship fund gives the WI DNR spending authority to purchase land and easement additions to state properties. Stewardship dollars also support recreational infrastructure on state properties, including campsite, restroom and trail improvements. Most annual Stewardship spending takes the form of grants to local governments and nonprofits. Stewardship grants fund local park infrastructure, boat ramp facilities, recreational trails and land purchases for parks and nature preserves statewide. (from WI DNR website) Where can I find a Public Land funded by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program? Click this link to find an interactive map! Here's an example of what you'll find.  Data Centers and other large water users... looking at more effective groundwater governance3/5/2025
development while maintaining a sustainable water supply, and specifically managing groundwater for the long term. Data centers are growing especially quickly - there are already 400 data centers in the five Upper Mississippi River Basin states, and many more are proposed throughout the region.  These data centers provide cloud storage, AI servers and cryptocurrency mining services. Their energy use is intensive, and many propose to use water for cooling. Data center builders look for areas with reasonable land costs, a stable power grid with good interconnections, water for cooling, and a favorable regulatory environment. With them come concerns about water use, power demand and environmental factors such as noise and light pollution. Carrie Jennings will address the question: How can we support economic development while ensuring water availability to support communities and the environment into the future?
This information was prepared by Alexandra Campbell-Ferrari to help people understand the agreement's purpose and content. It is reproduced here verbatim. Thank you to Alexandra for sharing this with us to share with you! On-River, Corridor and Watershed Local and Tribal Leaders are invited to join the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement, a transformational document which will forge the future of the Mississippi River for years to come. What is the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement? Short Answer: The Agreement unites local and Tribal leaders in a common cause to defend, protect, and invest in the Mississippi River for the betterment and prosperity of your communities. Long Answer: The Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders is a landmark agreement, spearheaded by the Mayors of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) and the Center for Water Security and Cooperation (CWSC), that empowers local and Tribal leaders to collectively set a shared course for the Mississippi River. The Agreement, open to all mayors, equivalent local leaders, and Tribal leaders along the Mississippi River and in the River’s watershed, promotes the economic, ecological, and social vitality of the Mississippi River by encouraging sustainable use, protection, and restoration of the Mississippi River. The Agreement builds a unique foundation for collective action dedicated to the Mississippi River founded on the local level. This agreement builds toward an Interstate Water Compact by showcasing the extraordinary work that local governments and Tribes are already doing to protect the river. The efforts and commitments showcased by the Agreement will drive the conversation about an Interstate Compact that will be necessary for the river to survive and flourish in the long-term. What does the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement ask Signatories to do? Short Answer: The Agreement asks signatories to agree to a few core principles: that cooperation and collaboration among cities, towns, and Tribes is necessary to protect the River, that greater protections and formal cooperation among States would benefit the River, and that local and Tribal leaders, as the leaders closest to the communities who depend on and are impact by the River, are well-positioned to lead. Once signed, the Agreement asks local and Tribal leaders to submit a short Implementation Plan (using the form provided) that identifies actions local and tribal leaders are already taking or are planning to take to protect and celebrate the Mississippi River. The Agreement asks leaders to report on their progress on these actions on a regular basis. Long Answer: The Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement is a voluntary agreement that asks local and tribal leaders to identify commitments they can make to advance their existing work protecting the Mississippi River. Commitments are intended to highlight the initiatives you are already undertaking or planning to undertake to protect the Mississippi River, though they can also include new initiatives. To help spark the planning process, the Agreement makes suggestions for commitments that can be adopted. The suggested commitments are provided in an illustrative list of examples in the Agreement and fall in the following six areas that focus on the greatest needs and challenges of the River:
Who will support my joining and implementing the Agreement? Short Answer: The CWSC will be your partner as you consider joining the Agreement, submit the Signature Page, and identify commitments and develop your Implementation Plan through to the implementation of your plan, sharing your experiences, and working toward an interstate compact. Long Answer: CWSC will serve as the Secretariat for the Agreement, with MRCTI as a Founding Partner. This means that the CWSC is available to: (1) answer questions about the Agreement before you sign, (2) help you identify commitments and develop an Implementation Plan, (3) bring visibility to this work in order to increase investment in the Mississippi and your communities who rely on it, (4) periodically collect and report on implementation successes and challenges, and (5) work toward an interstate compact for the Mississippi River. CWSC will serve as the primary point of contact for submission of Implementation Plans, updates on those plans, and reporting on progress. CWSC, as the Agreement’s Secretariat, will review the Plans to identify avenues for collaboration, share stories of similar efforts, and frame and amplify the successes and challenges along the River. What is a “commitment”? Short Answer: A commitment is an action or activity that local and Tribal leaders are currently taking or are planning to take to improve the protection and management of the River for their communities. The commitment can also propose a new action or activity. Long Answer: A commitment is an action or activity that local and tribal leaders will take or pursue to protect and restore the Mississippi River. Commitments can be actions that are currently being taken, actions are planned, and new actions intended to build off existing work or explore new opportunities within or between communities. Local and tribal leaders can adopt any type of a commitment, from developing new policies for wetland restoration and climate resilience or expanding public spaces and greenspaces along the Mississippi River, to launching citizen science initiatives that monitor the health of the river and engage students. The Agreement offers many other examples and suggestions for the types of commitments local and tribal leaders can make, but the list in the Agreement is illustrative, not exhaustive, and is meant to provide examples that can start a discussion or provide some initial ideas for actions that cities, towns, and Tribes can take. What are my next steps? Short Answer: Local and Tribal leaders should submit a Signature Page to the CWSC by February 7, 2025. For these signatories, Implementation Plans should be submitted by the end of May 2025. Long Answer: The Executive Committee of the MRCTI voted to join the Agreement on December 2, 2024. Local and Tribal leaders should sign and submit the Signature Page to [email protected] by February 7, 2025. If you have questions you need answered before signing and would like to schedule a meeting to discuss the Agreement, please contact the same email address with a request to meet. An official signing ceremony is being planned during the MRCTI Annual Capitol meeting March 5-6, 2025. Notes from the Blog Editor
The timeframe for joining the agreement has not ended, despite the timing listed in the above question. Like the best time to plant a tree... the best time to join the agreement was before May 31, but the second best time is now. “With River Days of Action, we take a lesson from the River: we reach our grandeur by uniting.”
UMRR formed an InterLeague Organization to gather, now five states, of the Upper Mississippi River Region to work together to save, celebrate and honor our River. One upcoming event is to create a Mississippi River Day of Celebration. Our LWV UMRR ILO has been celebrating the River since 2015 and, maybe, you have been part of that celebration. There are so many ways to celebrate even if you don’t live next to the Mississippi. Of course traveling to a state park or area (restaurants, parks) along the Mississippi is always an option. But the river affects us through city water treatment plants, sewage plants, and going anywhere to drink or play in water. Many of you may have a relationship with the Izaak Walton League, or the Fish and Wildlife Refuge or Sierra Club or with the many clubs that support our nature and want to continue to use our resources to fish, hunt and play. The 100 Grannies in the Iowa City area are very involved with environmental forces. Join with another group, let the press know and have a celebration!
A clean up walk or watching a video or movie or reading a good book are all ways to celebrate and educate about the River. We went to the Galena Public Library to learn about the mining days and the Mississippi River influence on the community. So much to learn in so little time. I’m available to help brainstorm ideas. Our 1Mississippi.org site has lots of information and ideas, too. To qualify to be listed on that site with a celebratory activity, the event must take place in early June. Send me an email ([email protected]) with UMRR in the subject area. I’d love to help you brainstorm. We should have an activity in each state. In today’s world where our environment is being attacked daily, education continues to be a force that won’t go away. Join a Mississippi River Celebration. Organizing for our future, Nancy Nancy is a member of LWV Johnson County (Iowa) as well as being a member of the LWV UMRR Board and Action Committee, and representing LWV UMRR in One Mississippi actions and projects.  Assembled delegates and friends at the One Mississippi Annual Meeting in St. Paul, November 2024 The Mississippi River is an enduring and defining feature of North America. We invite all who are interested in the restoration and revitalization of this valuable natural resource to join us in this important work! All are welcome to attend our board meetings and our educational programs, just register when you see the invitation. As always, we very much appreciate the continued support of the local Leagues in our Upper Mississippi River Region. Our work is made possible by your dues and donations. Read about the work of LWV UMRR in this Annual Report by our dedicated Chair, Mary Ellen Miller!
Committees: Communication Committee - we are looking for people to join the Communications Committee. Here, we are responsible for LWV UMRR's monthly newsletter and managing the LWV UMRR website. We also do the annual communications with our member Leagues around the Annual Meeting. Committee members will develop skills in using MailChimp for newsletters and Weebly for websites, both free software that gives a more professional look to communications. We are also looking for someone to give us more of a presence in social media. Action Committee - Action Committee meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month, at 4:30 via Zoom. Kay Slama is Chair of the Action Committee and she is very effective at running efficient meetings and providing the tools needed for the work. You can read her 2024 annual report on our website at this link. Here's a message from Chair Mary Ellen Miller: JOIN our LWV UMRR Action Committee! The LWV Upper Mississippi River Region Action Committee is seeking more participants from any dues-paying local League members within our five-state region. The Action Committee’s focus is to advocate for both state and federal legislation and regulation that supports our mission to protect the Upper MS River region from pollution degrading our drinking water supply, destroying wildlife habitat and contributing to the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. New Members Welcome! The Committee meets monthly via ZOOM (currently third Tuesday at 4:30 pm). Kay Slama is Chair of the Action Committee and she is very effective at running efficient meetings and providing the tools needed for the work. You can read her 2024 annual report on our website at this link. The major topics we are following include: CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations), Farm Bill (conservation programs) reauthorization, corporate capture of state/federal agencies, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), CO2 pipelines, coal ash storage, MS River Compact, Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI), Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI). If any of these topics are of interest to you or you have expertise to share we invite you to sign up for our Action Committee meeting notices (insert link here). Come and sit in on a few meetings then let us know you want to join the Committee. There are no term limits, you can drop off at any time. This is a great way to expand your knowledge about water quality issues in our region and learn how to be an effective advocate for the river. We love LWV members cross-pollinating with like-minded environmental organizations. Action Committee members also serve as liaison to like-minded organizations: state Environmental Councils, Sierra Club, Isaak Walton League, Upper MS River Basin Association, National Wildlife Association, Clean Water for All, One Mississippi (formerly MS River Network), LWV US Climate Interest Group (CIG), American Farmland Trust, Prairie Rivers Network, LWV Lake Michigan ILO, and 100 Grannies. If you are interested in joining a committee, contact Mary Ellen at [email protected] and she'll get you hooked up!  LWV UMRR Board at the 2024 Board Retreat, Quad Cities Iowa. Left to right, Catherine Franczyk (IL), EJ Gallagher (IA), Paula Ekstrom (IL), Lee Ekstrom (IL), Gretchen Sabel (MN), Mary Ellen Miller (IA), Nancy Porter (IA), Mickey Croyle (MO), Kay Slama (MN) and Tam Prenosil (IA). On computer via Zoom - Sheryl Eufinger (MO), Megan Benage (MN) and Colleen Werdien (MN)  In LWV UMRR's December 4 meeting, Exploring the Idea of a Mississippi River Compact, one of the speakers – Minnesota Senator John Hoffman - brought in a surprise guest, Alexandra Campbell-Ferrari*. Alexandra is co-founder of the Center for Water Security and Cooperation, and is working with the MRCTI to lay the foundation for a Mississippi River Compact. In this interview, Alexandra shared her vision and plan for this work. Alexandra and her colleague, Luke Wilson, started the Center for Water Security and Cooperation in 2015. A non-profit organization, the CWSC works with governments and nonprofits to write laws to evaluate the effectiveness of laws, all focused around trying to achieve water security and universal access to water and sanitation. The CWSC’s mission is to advance water security and cultivate cooperation by building a unified body of laws, policies, practices, and standards that ensure the availability of water for current and future generations, and a peaceful, stable, and vibrant global society. In a recent meeting with LWV UMRR Board members, Alexandra talked about the work CWSC is undertaking with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative. Here’s that story, in her own words: “About 8 years ago, the CWSC was invited to a meeting hosted by the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI). The Mayors wanted to explore unique approaches to managing the Mississippi River, and they were interested in the role that the law could play, particularly an interstate water compact. . At the time, I had just written a law review article that discussed how interstate water compacts are these underutilized legal mechanisms for protecting environmental resources. Our laws don't often recognize that water is fluid. It runs across multiple jurisdictions which requires a different approach to management, one which doesn’t stop at borders. To me, the interstate water compact is this phenomenal tool that we don’t use enough. Last September, MRCTI’s mayors voted to support pursuing this idea of an interstate water compact. So, with the help of MRCTI’s mayors, we came up with a game plan and developed an agreement that showcases the work local and tribal leaders are doing to protect the Mississippi River.” So what is the plan of action for actually getting to that interstate water compact? There are some existing compacts that can be a model. A compact for a river system as big as the Mississippi is a big lift, but the MRCTI was a great place to start. The Mayors are really interested in a compact – now is the time to use their collective capacity, interest and power to get something done. Back to Alexandra’s telling: “The Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement was drafted to do that, to give the Mayors, Tribal and other local leaders a foundation to think about: What are we doing to protect the Mississippi River? What more could we be doing? And what more could we be doing in collaboration with other communities? The mayors on MRCTI’s Executive Committee voted to join the agreement in December 2024, and since then more and more mayors and tribal leaders have joined on behalf of their individual communities. We’re planning a formal signing ceremony for March 2025 to coincide with MRCTI’s yearly meeting in Washington D.C.“ Work is now ongoing to get more Mayors interested in the agreement. Below is a copy of the agreement – the first two pages are a fact sheet and the remainder is the text of the agreement. The agreement asks signatories to commit to undertaking 3-5 commitments about what they can do to protect the Mississippi River, either on their own or in collaboration with other local leaders. Watch the LWV UMRR blog for updates as this progresses. *Alexandra is a graduate of Bucknell University. Read more about her in this Earth Day article in the Spring 2024 Bucknell Magazine. |
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