Low-water inspection meeting moved to Berwick

The Mississippi River Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m. Friday in Berwick to conclude the commission’s annual low-water inspection trip, according to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers news release.

Officials originally planned to hold the meeting at the Port of Morgan City. But due to higher than expected river levels, the vessel is not able to pass under the La. 182 bridge, Port Director Raymond “Mac” Wade said. The meeting will be at Garber Brothers’ dock located at 5000 Belleview Front St. in Berwick.

Members of the public wanting to speak during the meeting may fill out a card before the meeting begins, and then each person will have five minutes to talk, port officials said.

The low-water inspection trip on the Mississippi River began Aug. 8 with a public meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota. Friday’s meeting in Berwick will be the final one of the trip.

All meetings are open to the public. Anyone with an interest is invited to present their views and suggestions on matters affecting the water resources infrastructure needs in the valley, including flood control and the Mississippi River and Tributaries project, environmental issues, recreation, navigation and others.

The agenda for each public meeting will include:

—Summary report by the president of the commission on national and regional issues affecting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Commission programs and projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

—District commander’s overview for the Commission on current project issues in the respective area.

—Presentations to the commission by local organizations and members of the public giving views or comments on any issue affecting the programs or projects of the commission and the Corps of Engineers.

The commission was established in 1879 and is composed of seven members, each nominated by the President of the United States and vetted by the Senate. Three of the organization’s members are officers of the Corps of Engineers; one member is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and three members are civilians, two of whom are civil engineers.

General duties of the commission include recommendation of policy and work programs, the study of and reporting upon the necessity for modifications or additions to the flood control and navigation project, recommendation upon any matters authorized by law, and making semi-annual inspection trips.

The duties of the commission include the entire length of the Mississippi River from its headwaters at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to Head of Passes, Louisiana, where the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico.