[BCNnet] Comments on Mississippi River plan needed

[Judy Pollock]

This is a very important effort in our watershed... please forward to anyone
who might attend one of theses meetings in towns along the Mississippi.

Judy

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO RESTORE AN INTERNATIONALLY-SIGNIFICANT FLYWAY
This month, Audubon's Upper Mississippi Campaign - our effort to protect and
restore one of America's largest migratory flyways - will be in seven cities
actively supporting major habitat restoration at a series of public meetings
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is holding on the Upper Mississippi
River. 
The Corps, the agency responsible for maintaining America's waterways, must
produce a management plan, referred to as a "Navigational Study," on the Upper
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. There are a wide array of suggestions and
recommendations put forth by Audubon and other conservation groups, as well as
industry leaders and others that seek to expand construction projects along
America's great river. We will be at each meeting urging the Corps to
support a
plan that gives as much consideration to conservation of this internationally
significant flyway for 320 bird species as it does to the barge industry and
flood plain control. But if we're going to be successful, we need your help!
Two Ways To Help, First, Seven Cities, Seven Meetings
Listed below are the locations of the seven Corps events. Each event features
an open house where the general public can see, meet or learn more about the
organizations interested in the Upper Mississippi River. Audubon will host a
special table at the open house and we'd love for you to come out and see us!
Each public meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include presentations by
interested parties, including Audubon. The general public will also have time
at the meeting to voice their support for conservation on the river and we're
hoping you'll do just that! Remember, no experience is required to speak at
the
public meeting, and we can provide you with all the background information you
need! 
Second, Weigh-in With the Corps!
Whether you can attend the event or not, we have another way you can
participate in this effort. You can send a message to the Corps urging them to
include provisions to establish a strong ecosystem restoration component in
the
plan. Letters must be sent no later than Thursday, October 30th, which is the
date of the last meeting.   You can send a letter and get more infomation at
this link: http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/summary.asp?subject=265
For more information on any of these meetings, background materials on the
issue, or to let us know you plan to attend, please contact Audubon's Upper
Mississippi Campaign office at (651) 739-9332. 
Meeting Dates and Locations
October 20th: St. Louis, MO, Spazio Westport, 1203 Lackland Road, St. Louis
October 21st: Quincy, IL, Rivers Edge Hal, 1231 Bonansinga Drive, Quincy
October 22nd: Peoria, IL, Holiday Inn Peoria 1-74, 4400 North Brandywine Drive
October 23rd: Davenport, IA, Holiday Inn, Davenport, 5202 Brady Street, Peoria
October 28th: Bloomington, MN, Ramada Inn Thunderbird Convention Center, 2201
E. 78th Street
October 29th: La Crosse, WI, Best Western Midway Hotel, 1835 Rose Street, La
Crosse
October 30th: Dubuque, IA, Holiday Inn Dubuque Five Flags, 450 Main Street,
Dubuque