Mississippi River Drought Mayors to Meet

20 Mayors to discuss severe weather implications for Mississippi River sustainability & need for regional co-operation.

Spurred by the severe drought and Hurricane Isaac, Mayors from towns and cities along the Mississippi River will participate in a press briefing to discuss a mayoral-led effort to bring national attention back to the Mississippi River—America’s most critical natural asset—and spearhead a new level of regional cooperation to make it more sustainable.

The drought—the worst in 50 years—has severely impacted the towns, cities and people who live and make a living along the River, the ecological linchpin to the 37-state Mississippi River Basin. Now, Hurricane Isaac has further threatened many river towns.

Mayors from along the Mississippi River main stem are participating in the inaugural meeting of the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI), coordinated by the Northeast-Midwest Institute (NEMWI), which is engaging officials from EPA, USDA, FEMA, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on critical federal activities affecting Mississippi River cities and towns as well as state officials and non-government organization stakeholders. The drought and hurricane have added a new sense of urgency to the meeting. The Mayors will discuss their efforts during the press briefing.

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