How LWV members can help to support the Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement

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? 
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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.  

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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.
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How can LWV help support this work?

Alexandra Campbell-Ferrara asked us to help her make contacts in cities up and down the river.  We can do this by helping to make contacts in the offices of Mayors, Tribal Leaders, County Board Chairs and other local Leaders.  Where we know people, we can help Alexandra reach those leaders and make the pitch.  Her first focus is those local governments adjacent to the river, but all in the watershed are invited to participate! 

If you are willing to help initiate these contacts, reach out to LWV UMRR at [email protected] and we’ll get the ball rolling with Alexandra.  Susan Russell Freeman of LWV Minneapolis is a member of the LWV UMRR Action Committee and will be helping to coordinate the work here in Minnesota.   
 
What’s the deadline for getting this done?

No deadline has been set, but work is ongoing.  Now is the time!    

Which leaders have signed the Agreement so far?

• Mayor Jorge Prince, Bemidji, MN
• Chairman Darrel Seki, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, MN
• Chairman Michael Fairbanks, White  Earth Nation, MN
• Mayor Hollies Winston, Brooklyn Park, MN
• Mayor Mark Nichols, Lake City, MN
• Mayor Mitch Reynolds, La Crosse, WI
• Mayor Bob Gallagher, Bettendorf, IA
• Mayor Mike Matson, Davenport, IA
• Mayor Mike Thoms, Rock Island, IL
• Mayor Michael Morrow, Grafton, IL
• Mayor David Goins, Alton, IL
• Mayor Jo Anne Smiley, Clarksville, MO
• Mayor Cliff Berry, Tiptonville, TN
• Mayor Melisa Logan, Blytheville, AR
• Mayor George Flaggs, Vicksburg, MS
• Mayor Dan Gibson, Natchez, MS
• Mayor Buz Craft, Vidalia, LA
• Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative Executive Committee

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
 
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