What is the MRRRI Act and why is it needed in Mississippi River states like Missouri?
Written by Maisah Khan
On Thursday, September 9 I traveled to Jefferson City, MO to present at the Conservation Federation of Missouri’s annual Affiliate Summit. I talked about the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (or MRRRI), and the impact this new Initiative could have on conservation and restoration work here in my home state of Missouri. The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is a state lead organization for MRRRI, meaning that they are one of ten state-based organizations actively informing the vision for MRRRI and engaging the relevant partners in the state. Check out their webpage about MRRRI here: http://confedmo.org/mrrri
Mississippi River Network Policy Director, Maisah Khan, speaking at CFM Affiliate Summit on September 9, 2021. Photo by Michelle Gabelsberger.
During the presentation, I focused on the kinds of projects we might expect to see funded (through voluntary grants and partnerships) if MRRRI becomes law. I also spoke about the specific impact this type of initiative might have on conservation, recreation, and environmental organizations in Missouri. Here are some of the highlights from my presentation to CFM Affiliates.
What kinds of projects might the MRRRI Act fund?
MRRRI Act funds will support actions or projects that will:
- Restore clean water
- Protect and restore river habitat
- Rebuild natural infrastructure and improve river delta health, and
- Reduce the impact of aquatic invasive species.
Let’s imagine that MRRRI Act legislation has passed, and it is now law. What kinds of activities might be funded in these four areas?
Who will decide which projects are funded and where?
How will MRRRI decide which projects to fund where? How will the funding areas be shaped and implemented over the long-term? Well, that will be up to all of us!
Because projects are more effective when all our voices are heard, before any MRRRI Act funds are invested, we will come together to shape this initiative through a 2-year EPA-led public process to develop the MRRRI Action Plan.
We are still a long way from MRRRI Action Plan development, so this is a great time to get involved to inform what this process might look like and how it can be equitable and effective.
Does the MRRRI Act only apply to areas directly along the Mississippi River?
No, the MRRRI Act takes a holistic view of our Mississippi River and includes its entire watershed and major tributaries within the 10 mainstem states. The Missouri River, for example, is a direct and major tributary of the Mississippi River so MRRRI Act funding would be available to work on projects that impact the Missouri River.
Our Mississippi River’s watershed is tremendous. All or part of 32 states and two Canadian provinces drain into the Mississippi River, totaling over 40 percent of the contiguous United States.
The MRRRI Act takes a holistic view of this River. MRRRI funding would be available for programs and projects within the watershed of the Mississippi and its direct tributaries, within the 10 states and tribal nations that border the river — or what we call the 10 “mainstem” states of the Mississippi River. As you can see from the image below, the entire state of Missouri is “covered” by watershed of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
Map of the course, watershed, and major tributaries of the Mississippi River by Jon Platek, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_River_System#/media/File:Mississippi_watershed_map_1.jpg
How will the MRRRI Act impact Missouri?
Missouri has a strong history of conservation, and Missourians have a strong culture of recreating, protecting, and enjoying the great outdoors. Organizations like the Conservation Federation of Missouri and their affiliates work every day to ensure that our state upholds its legacy of strong conservation policies and funding. The Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative is another tool we can use to bring important federal funding back to Missouri in the form of voluntary grants and partnerships.
As its name suggests, MRRRI is a restoration program. MRRRI is focused on restoring the habitats and natural processes that contribute not only to the resilience of our River, but also to the resilience of Missouri’s numerous river cities. MRRRI seeks to restore the sorts of our rivers need for all of us to continue to enjoy them – whether you enjoy paddling on the Missouri River, fishing in the backwaters, birding during migration season, or benefitting from a thriving river town.
Ready to support the MRRRI Act?
Our Mississippi River provides us with so many gifts. Are you ready to give our River what it deserves?
Urge your Congressperson today to support the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative Act.
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