Mississippi River levels have risen in the lower basin again as snowmelt makes its way south. Mayors of cities and towns along the river experienced increased flooding, heavier rainfall, and more frequent droughts in recent years. Now, they are lobbying Congress for help. Members of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative traveled to Washington, D.C., to ask leaders to support funding for flood control programs and shipping infrastructure along America’s largest river. While the Initiative isn’t shying away from using words like “climate” and “resilience” in its policy goals, its members are uncertain how much federal support they can count on, given the recent government cutbacks. “We quickly learned to temper our expectations and look more aspirationally to how we can achieve these goals,” said Mitch Reynolds, Mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and co-chair of the MRCTI. The group hopes the economic value of the river will ensure they are heard.
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