The Mississippi River Commission: Takes Closer Look at Illinois River

Thursday, the presidentially appointed Mississippi River Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted an open house onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi.  This was a chance for the public to get up close and personal with the vessel and learn more about our waterway.   Now, the commission is getting down to work.

The Mississippi River Commission will be in Central Illinois Tuesday, August 11th for an inspection trip to help better understand concerns, issues and impacts along the waterway.  This is the first time in a decade that this commission has been in the region.

During this trip, the commission will meet with stakeholders, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices.  TransPORT Executive Director Steve Jaeger says, “This is a very important visit for our region.  This commission is appointed by the President of the United States and it is here see how we utilize our waterway and review the overall condition of it.  We plan to showcase the commerce that moves along the water as well as the economic developments that are underway.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers implements civil works projects in all the major basins of the Mississippi River watershed, including the Missouri, Ohio, Upper and Lower Mississippi, Arkansas-White, Red and Illinois rivers.  The Mississippi River Commission recognizes the importance of these projects to the entire river basin and considers that when reviewing policies and decisions for programs and projects all along the Mississippi River Watershed and the tributaries that feed into it.

While this trip is NOT open to the public the media is invited to join TransPORT from 9:30-10am Tuesday onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi at the Peoria Riverfront to learn more about this inspection trip and what it means for our region.  TransPORT Executive Director Steve Jaeger and commission members will be available to discuss the trip and explain the reasons for this visit.

For more information contact Renee Charles Dir. of Media Relations for The Heartland Partnership at 309-495-5905
or rcharles@h-p.org Maureen McNamara at 309-495-5970, 309-258-5434 or mmcnamara@h-p.org

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TransPORT (The Heart of Illinois Regional Port District) www.portdistrict.com covers 100 miles of the Illinois River from Marshall County in the North to Mason County in the South, encompassing Fulton, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. TransPORT is a powerful economic development tool, with the primary benefit being the creation of industrial and transportation employment for the region, stimulating the growth of intermodal logistics and industrial maritime development in the region and the state.