The mission of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Mississippi Valley is accomplished by two distinct,
complementary organizations -- the Mississippi River Commission and the Mississippi Valley
Division.
Mississippi River Commission
The Mississippi River Commission was established in 1879 to facilitate
improvement of the Mississippi River from the Head of Passes near its mouth to its
headwaters. The stated mission of the Commission was to:
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Improve and give safety and ease to the navigation thereof.
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Prevent destructive floods.
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Promote and facilitate commerce, trade, and the postal service.
For nearly a half
century the MRC functioned as an executive body reporting directly to the Secretary of
War. The disastrous 1927 flood changed the mission of the MRC. The consequent 1928 Flood
Control Act created the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project (MR&T). The act
assigned responsibility for developing and implementing the Mississippi River and
Tributaries Project (MR&T) to the Mississippi River Commission. The MR&T project
provides for:
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Control of floods of the Mississippi River from Head of Passes to
vicinity of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
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Control of floods of the tributaries and outlets of the Mississippi
River as they are affected by its backwaters.
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Improvement for navigation of the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, to Cairo, Illinois. This includes improvements to certain harbors and
improvement for navigation of Old and Atchafalaya Rivers from the Mississippi River to
Morgan City, Louisiana.
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Bank stabilization of the Mississippi River from the Head of Passes to
Cairo, Illinois.
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Preservation, restoration, and enhancement of environmental resources,
including but not limited to measures for fish and wildlife, increased water supplies,
recreation, cultural resources, and other related water resources development programs.
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Semi-annual inspection trips to observe river conditions and facilitate
coordination with local interests in implementation of the project.
MRC President and Mission Execution
The President of the
Mississippi River Commission is its executive head. The mission is executed through the
Mississippi Valley Division, U.S. Army Engineer Districts in St. Louis, Memphis,
Vicksburg, and New Orleans.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division
The Division
Commander is directly responsible to the Chief of Engineers. Within the authorities
delegated, MVD Commander directs and supervises the District Commander, U.S. Army Engineer
Districts, St. Paul, Rock Island, St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg, and New Orleans in
performing the following missions:
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Preparing engineering studies and design.
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Constructing, operating, and maintaining flood control and river and
harbor facilities and installations.
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Administering the laws on civil works activities.
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Acquiring, managing, and disposing of real estate.
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Mobilization support of military, natural disaster, and national
emergency operations.
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