The Mississippi River Conservation Initiative

The Mississippi River Conservation Initiative, or MRCI, is the implementation phase of the LMRCC’s Aquatic Resource Management Plan.

MRCI is comprised of three primary components: 

1. Assessment of conservation needs and opportunities; 
2. Project planning and design; and 
3. Project implementation.  

Through this process the LMRCC, in partnership with a wide array of federal, state, local and non-governmental organizations, will implement projects to restore aquatic habitat, improve water quality and provide sustainable economic development.

MRCI was formally launched in November, 2001 with the first state planning meeting held in Jackson, Tennessee. Meetings were held for Missouri and Kentucky in 2002, in Arkansas and Mississippi in 2003, and in Louisiana in 2004. A total of 239 conservation and habitat restoration opportunities have been identified.