Mayors gather in Natchez to discuss Mississippi River issues

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Speaking in this session was Mayor Darryl Grennell of Natchez, Miss. Other mayors, from left, attended from Vicksburg, Miss., Bettendorf, St. Louis, Mo., St. Cloud, Minn., Mayor Grennell, Greenville, Miss., Cape Girardeau, Mo., Mayor Loven of Guttenberg and the Mayor from Red Wing, Minn. (Photo submitted)

By Molly Moser

In mid-September, Guttenberg Mayor Russ Loven joined more than two dozen river Mayors in Natchez, Miss., holding a press briefing to recommend improvements to disaster mitigation, announce a partnership with Walmart Stores, Inc., and announce U.S. Department of Transportation Marine Highway projects. These mayors are part of the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI), a mayoral-led effort comprised of 75 River Mayors committed to creating a coordinated voice for the Mississippi River.

“We all suffer the same woes and have the same needs at one time or another. Together, the mayors draft position statements and resolutions that express their collective needs by lobbying their legislators and federal government,” said Mayor Loven. “During these three days we agreed on a number of issues, including the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices that cut down on the pollution of the river, and advocated changes that would allow more containers to be shipped on barges on the Mississippi River and Illinois River from New Orleans to Chicago.”

MRCTI is an effort to bring national attention back to the Mississippi River—America’s most critical natural asset—and cultivate a new level of regional cooperation to enhance sustainability. As the ecological linchpin to the 31-state Mississippi River Basin, the river is responsible for creating $400 billion worth of U.S. GDP; providing drinking water for more than 20 million people; transporting 40 percent of the nation’s agricultural output; and directly supporting more than one million jobs and millions more indirectly.

In the wake of several natural disasters this year, the Mayors of the Mississippi River have come together with federal and private sector partners to bring opportunities and hope to the region. Loven moderated a program called, “Improving The Food Production Supply Chain to Achieve Clean Water,” presented by Brittni Furrow, Director of Global Sustainability for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Sarah Carlson, Director of Practical Farmers of Iowa.  “Both were articulate and fascinating in presenting their vision for providing food to the world,” said Loven. “Wal-Mart is the largest distributor of food in the world, and Sarah Carlson presented information about nutrient reduction in farm fields of Iowa as well as the rest of the country.

“Their research data shows that we will need to produce more food from 2016-2050 to feed the world than produced during our past history. The United States population itself is projected to grow to 400 million by 2050. The Mississippi River Basin is one of the largest in the world and it is the breadbasket of the world, so much is expected of us,” Loven told The Press.

The Mayors made announcements about disaster preparedness, water quality and sustainable economic environment. Most Mayors, Loven says, have signed or have had city councils approve clean water resolutions. The Mayors also discussed transportation. “Our crumbling national highways  are bursting at the seams with super large trucks carrying goods.  Those same goods can be transported more effectively on the Mississippi River in most cases,” said Loven.

In partnership with National Geographic, the Mississippi River Connections Collaborative, and Delta Regional Authority, MRCTI announced the Sept. 14 launch of a new Mississippi River tourism product. The website, located at mississippiriver.natgeotourism.com, is a source for where to stay, things to do, places to go, and trip planning for travelers all along the river, promoting geotourism – defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place, its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.  

National Geographic and its partners are working with local organizations, businesses and residents to map the best travel experiences, stories and sites within the Mississippi River Corridor. The public is invited to nominate historic, cultural and natural landmarks; events, attractions and activities; businesses, artisans and storytellers as well as local legends that capture a region’s unique character, heritage and beauty.

Using these recommendations, National Geographic is producing an engaging website to promote travel to the region that celebrates and sustains what is most distinctive about the Mississippi River Corridor—its scenic landscapes, vibrant local communities, rich biological, cultural diversity and captivating history. 

Natchez is the first city founded along the Mississippi River, and celebrates its 300th anniversary this year. Joining the Sept. 13-15 conference in Natchez were Mayors from Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Kentucky and Illinois.

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