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Proclamation_Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative Copyright 2014 City of Dubuque Proclamation(s) # 2. ITEM TITLE: Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative SUMMARY: SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Type ❑ Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative Supporting Documentation THE CITY OF 0 DUBBf&E Masterpiece on the Mississippi P_11DX0CLAMAT10N WHEREAS, the Mississippi River is an important source of water for 18 million people, a diverse and critical habitat for wildlife,the backbone of our economy and a rich part of our heritage; and WHEREAS, the Mississippi River corridor is crucial to the local, regional and national economy, and is responsible for producing 40 percent of our nation's agricultural output, necessitating the need for a balance between production and conservation of important natural resources, made possible through the support of agricultural and other land conservation programs; and WHEREAS, communities along the Mississippi River have experienced catastrophic and unprecedented flooding in recent years,highlighting the need for technical and financial resources to reduce the risk of flooding; and WHEREAS, the Mississippi River's floodplain provides critical services to communities such as storing and filtering flood water, enhancing habitat for fish and other wildlife, and providing outdoor recreation access for public health and eco-tourism; and WHEREAS, green infrastructure solutions reduce flooding impacts, provide clean water, and provide a wide array of benefits to people and wildlife, often at a fraction of the cost of traditional gray infrastructure approaches; and WHEREAS, protection and restoration of the Mississippi River's floodplain will result in improved water quality, reduced flood risk, increased recreation and ecotourism, and enhanced habitat for fish and wildlife, and as such, funding for the protection and restoration of floodplain lands along the River and its tributaries and other green infrastructure approaches should be prioritized through the FEMA Pre-disaster Mitigation Program and USEPA Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Green Project Reserve Funds; and WHEREAS, the 1 Mississippi campaign promotes a healthier Mississippi River, from the headwaters to the Gulf, and has encouraged over 14,000 people to become"River Citizens", strengthening their connection to the River; and WHEREAS, the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative is an association of mayor-lead communities whose cities are adjacent to the waterway and whose collective mission is to pursue and protect an ecologically healthy River to achieve an economically sustainable River; and NOW THEREFORE, I, ROY BUOL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, STAFF AND THE CITIZENS OF DUBUQUE, DO HEREBY ENDORSE THE EFFORTS TO: • Utilize green infrastructure as a means of protecting and restoring the Mississippi River; • Encourage the residents of Dubuque to become"River Citizens"through the 1 Mississippi campaign; • Support policies and practices that prioritize the health of the river and its floodplain for the benefit of people, wildlife,the local economy and future generations. IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA. IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City of Dubuque to be affixed this 19t"day of October, 2015. Roy D. Buol,Mayor Attest: Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC, City Clerk 2015: Submitted and accepted by Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann. 1 Mississippi and the River Citizen program are brought to you by the Mississippi River Network (MRN). MRN is a coalition of organizations dedicated to protecting the Mississippi River for the well-being of the land, water and people of the United States. Bluestem Communications, a nonprofit environmental organization, coordinates the Network and the campaign. Direct questions or comments to the Mississippi River Program Manager at lmississippi@bluestemcommunications.org or 312-754-0402. Members and Partners as ofAugust 2014 American Rivers Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Environmental Defense Fund Friends for Our Riverfront Friends of the Mississippi River Friends of Pool 2 Great River Greening Green Lands, Blue Waters Greenway Network Gulf Restoration Network HeartLands Conservancy Illinois Stewardship Alliance Iowa Environmental Council Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Izaak Walton League of America Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation LightHawk Living Lands & Waters Lower Mississippi River Foundation Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper Mississippi National River & Recreation Area Mississippi River Corridor — Tennessee Mississippi River Fund Mississippi River Trail Mississippi Valley Traveler Missouri Coalition for the Environment National Audubon Society National Great Rivers Research & Education Center National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition National Wildlife Federation Northeast -Midwest Institute Prairie Rivers Network Quapaw Canoe Company River Action River Life Partnership, Institute on the Environment Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation Sierra Club, Piasa Palisades Group SouthWings Tennessee Clean Water Network Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation The Confluence Partnership The Conservation Fund The Nature Institute The Wetlands Initiative Trust for Public Land Upper Mississippi River Blufflands Alliance West Wisconsin Land Trust Map and illustrations created by Lynda Wallis of Freelance Illustrations. �•• S. Printed on Recycled Paper 92% EXPORTS 93S7PI�, RIVER TOWNS it.• P n me.rno2teil 716E4 SPECIES OF FISH GENERATIONS OF SWIMMING LESSONS 116 POUNDS OVER 8o SPECIES OF MUSSELS4 145 NATIONAL 5 pE ks,v1 PARKS 7. rnPs ANo AMPHIBIANS i115zi3Yii i 1 CAN THE RIVER COUNT ON YOU? www. 1 mississippi. org We are 1 Mississippi 4t k -arts, The Mississippi River is truly America's River — a critical source of drinking water for 18 million people, a diverse habitat for wildlife, the backbone of our economy and a rich part of our heritage. Like the bald eagles that live along its banks, the River is a national treasure. Vast River tributaries connect people in 31 states to the Mississippi River region. Through these connections we share personal stories and celebrate American culture. The River unites us and we rely on it more than most of us realize. Though we live in all 50 states, we are, without a doubt, one nation and 1 Mississippi. 1V11 M711►,►J JL 1 i 1 CAN THE RIVER COUNT ON YOU? Mississippi River Network Jessica Zimmerman 1 Mississippi Outreach Assistant National Mississippi River Museum el Aquarium 350 East 3rd Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001 phone: 309.798.7638 IA1Mississippi@biodiverse.org www.1mississippi.org 1 Mississippi. 2,320 Miles. 12,000 River Citizens. Together we are protecting the Mississippi River for future generations. Return this postcard or sign-up online to participate in the growing movement of River Citizens today. 0 WILL FURTHER 0 OUR EFFORTS .- - bA o 1-I 0 ci (3 The majestic bald eagle, an official symbol of the United States since 1782, and the Mississippi River region it calls home are both national treasures. We count on the River, but can the River count on us? Today, our great River is in trouble. Pollution from agriculture, urban runoff and factories, along with weak enforcement of regulations, has caused our once mighty Mississippi to decline. Loss of the River's wetlands and floodplains have left us more vulnerable than ever to severe weather, while the loss of these and other native habitats has added dozens of species to the endangered species list. The River is a part of us and its poor health impacts us all. River Citizens — People the River Can Count On! 1 Mississippi brings people and organizations together to clean up and protect America's greatest River. The first step is to become a River Citizen. River Citizens are the guardians and caretakers of the River; they are people the River can count on. Each day, whether in arm chairs or wading boots, River Citizens protect the River by speaking up on its behalf and caring for it in simple ways that make a big difference. Join us and become a River Citizen today. I I The Mississippi River plays a central role in defining the United States. Our country's natural wonders, culture and economy are intertwined with the River and are shaped by its waters. Lake Itasca St. Anthony Falls, the only true waterfall on the River, played a major role in establishing the milling industry in this area. La Crosse Agriculture flourishes in the heartland because the River provides abundant water, fertile floodplain soil and transportation to ship goods around the world. Dubuque Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel about the human spirit, starring the River as a main character. uad Cities Des Moines River The shovelnose sturgeon, an ancient species from the times of the dinosaurs, is one of the 260 fish species living in the River. Canoeing allows you to get up close and personal with the mighty Mississippi; it's a great way to see wildlife, fish and visit River Towns. Hannibal JMiss, ouri Rive ,J_ ". The Gateway Arch honors the explorers who led the westward expansion and marks the nearby , St. Louis ouis confluence of America's two longest rivers: the Missouri and Mississippi. Thousands of people create special memories and carry on family traditions as they fish the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The American white pelican, among North America's largest birds, has a wing span of up to 9 feet. Its annual migration along the world famous flyway is a much anticipated event for birders in the Middle Mississippi Valley. Ohio River Arkansas k -ver Memphis Clarksdale Baton Rouge The River inspires people, ideas and music, nurturing distinctively American inventions such as the blues and rock 'n' roll. The siege of Vicksburg was a turning point in the Civil War during which both sides fought to control shipping on the River. aa) U N Q N C VI i s - 0 oM c -0 co 0 c o o 4- _c 4, v •E Lai O C v no 4A > C r0 Q a 0 0 C rn 0 r0 Often called the oceans' 0 e0‘,..- .E v 0 ,4- N Lo = V1 aJ L7 -p _0 t tv z— *' vo. - 0 N ( C 4O �r- 0 '� r, -0 0 rD N0 U 01 7 = N 0 N 0 0 (0 0.0 2 a c4 ct C'd O v •� U N N0 r 49 t • cin cd r„ b.0 . 7D Become a River Citizen Today! To join the growing community of citizens committed to the Mississippi River, fill out and return this postcard. You can join online as well at www.lmississippi.org. Yes! Count me as a River Citizen. I am committed to protecting the Mississippi River and will take action to care for this valuable resource. Please send me information on the actions I can take as a River Citizen. FIRST / LAST NAME EMAIL ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP Where did you hear about the 1 Mississippi campaign? I am a River Citizen because: