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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
Many of the problems in the Upper Mississippi basin are related to
excessive inputs of sediments. Inputs of nutrients also create problems
in the system, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico. Reducing these inputs
is critical to any attempts at long-term solutions to many of the system's
problems.
H.R. 4013, a strongly bi-partisan bill recently introduced in Congress,
directly addresses these problems. Among others, it would accomplish several
key things:
-Concentrate on the entire upper basin rather than the river itself,
therefore forming a strong complement to programs such as EMP;
-Develop an effective monitoring system throughout the basin to assess
the problems and results of remedial efforts;
-Through a grant program, examine potential new ways to attack runoff
of sediments and nutrients;
-Use sound science, largely through GIS-based modeling, to locate the
most likely problem areas, and to concentrate efforts there rather than
using a shotgun
approach;
-Concentrate efforts at significantly increasing funding levels for
voluntary, already-proven programs such as CRP and buffer strips, but target
these increases at known or suspected problem sites;
-Closely monitor results, and use the data to increase or decrease
funding at various sites, as appropriate;
-Develop an oversight group of governmental and public representatives;
and
-Significantly increase cooperation among involved agencies.
While this is a very strong bill, it would be desirable if a mechanism
that would ensure broad public involvement by a diversity of stakeholders
were included.
Because this bill has so much potential to address important basin
problems, the following resolution is offered to the MRRC meeting for consideration:
WHEREAS- we are concerned about the health of the Upper Mississippi
River basin, and
WHEREAS- the long-term health of this resource depends on effectively
controlling the loss of sediments and nutrients from the watershed, and
WHEREAS- H.R. 4013, the "Upper Mississipj$ River Basin Conservation
Act of 2000" directly addresses these problems in an effective manner
BE IT RESOLVED THAT- The Mississippi River Research Consortium states
its support for this measure, asks that public involvement be increased,
and urges that it be enacted into law.
