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Lower Mississippi River
The American Heritage Rivers designated stretch of the Lower Mississippi
River on the south end runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the limits of deep
water navigation, including the city of New Orleans and parishes of Ascension,
East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St.
Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist and West Baton Rouge in Louisiana.
On the north end, the designated area runs where the river traverses the
Memphis metro area, including the Nonconnah Creek and Wolf River tributaries,
encompassing all of Shelby County, Tennessee and the rich flood plain
in Arkansas.
The River's Significance
The Mississippi River is the greatest river in our nation. The river
shaped western expansion and trading patterns, represented the region
known for its world-shaking struggle for civil rights, and is the birthplace
of uniquely American music: jazz, blues, and rock and roll. This includes
the Mississippi Delta, which has some of the poorest communities that
are also rich in cultural, historic, and environmental assets.
Community Partners and Action Plans
Memphis Group
Goal: Create a better quality of life rooted in the cultural, historic
and environmental assets adjacent to the Mississippi River and its two
tributaries in the city, attracting new and retaining existing residents.
Establish Greenways; extend the Memphis Riverwalk along downtown neighborhoods;
extend the Mississippi River Trail across the historic Harahan Bridge;
create a home ownership zone in historic low-income Greenlaw; improve
the quality of the Wolf River Harbor and historic Cobblestone Landing.
Involvement of three local nonprofit conservation/recreation groups, various
grassroots neighborhood organizations as well as City's Riverfront Steering
Committee.
Louisiana Parishes Group
Goal: Enhance the cultural, historical, and environmental assets, while
encouraging economic development through tourism and coexisting with river
industry. The Mississippi River Road Commission's Corridor Management
Plan details a number of initiatives along the river. There are also various
riverfront development projects including docking facilities. The River
Road Commission will be heavily involved, as well as Chamber of Commerce
and Tourism Commissions of each parish.
New Orleans Group
Goal: Promote the cultural, historic, recreational, environmental and
economic value of the river through creating the National Center for the
Mississippi River and redevelop identified Brownfield sites into educational
and community attractions and artist studios. Loyola, Tulane, and Xavier
Universities will be involved, as well as numerous environmental and grassroots
organizations.
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