JC Nelson

Welcome remarks for the Mississippi River Science Forum by JC Nelson, and key address from Tanya Trujillo, Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, as well as David Applegate, Director of the USGS.

Andy Ashley of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, gives an overview of the history of the river science on the Mississippi River.  He also discusses efforts that their Geomorphology and Potamology program is overseeing.

Brian Nerbonne shares the top priorities for policy and data needs of each of the technical sections of the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee in their effort to protect and manage the Mississippi for the good of the public and its many users.

Mayors Strickland, Simmons, and Prince discuss science gaps prevalent to the Mississippi Valley, and indicate where the mayors see the need for scientific study to support better management of the Mississippi River corridor.

Karen Waldrop from Ducks Unlimited talks the need to better update and share the data associated with the Mississippi River. 

Bryan Piazza discusses The Nature Conservancy’s goals of improving water quality and quantity for biodiversity and people, restoring forests and wetlands to sequester carbon dioxide, protect and provide habitat and make the system more resilient, and ultimately to promote a healthier Gulf of Mexico.

EPA’s Katie Flahive of the Hypoxia Task Force coordinating committee explains current tasks and goals of the Hypoxia Task Force in helping to reduce the size of low oxygen zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Angie Rodgers introduces and describes the work of the LMRCC and their efforts to retain and rebuild lost habitat on the Lower Mississippi River.