Building Collaboration on the Mississippi River

The Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement

The Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders is a landmark agreement, spearheaded by the Center for Water Security and Cooperation. The Agreement unites Mayors and Tribal leaders in a common cause to protect, celebrate, and invest in the Mississippi River for the betterment and prosperity of their communities. The Agreement builds a unique foundation for collective action and collaboration dedicated to the Mississippi River led from the local level. This agreement builds toward an interstate water compact by showcasing the extraordinary work that local governments and Tribes are already doing to protect the river.

How to Join

1. Review the Agreement

See how joining the Agreement is a unique opportunity to celebrate the Mississippi River, show case your efforts, and build collaboration with other communities along the River.

The Agreement

2. Have questions?

The CWSC prepared a FAQ to answer all your questions about the Agreement. Take a look and see if your question is answered.

Check out the FAQ

3. Meet with the CWSC

Set up a meeting with the CWSC to get involved and answer any questions you may have. As the Secretariat, we will walk you through what it means to join the Agreement and next steps.

Email Us

4. Sign the Agreement

Join the Mayors, Tribal Leaders, and organizations who have already joined. Sign the "Signature Page" and return to cwsc@ourwatersecurity.org.

The Signature Page

5. Prepare your Implementation Plan

Work with the CWSC to prepare your Implementation Plan: the opportunity to identify 2-5 existing, planned, or new commitments you have for the River and your community.

Implementation Plan Form

6. Meet the Group

Attend the in-person Signing Ceremony and first meeting of the Signatories on the Mississippi River! Location and date to be announced.

Registration Opens Soon

Mayors and Tribal Leader Signatories

  • Mayor Mark Nichols, Lake City, MN
  • Mayor Jorge Prince, Bemidji, MN
  • Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, MN
  • Mayor Bob Gallagher, Bettendorf, IA
  • Mayor Mike Thoms, Rock Island, IL
  • Mayor Morrow, Grafton, IL
  • Mayor David Goins, Alton, IL
  • Mayor JoAnne Smiley, Clarksville, MO
  • Mayor Cliff Berry, Tiptonville, TN
  • Mayor Melisa Logan, Blytheville, AR
  • Mayor George Flaggs, Vicksburg, MS
  • Mayor Dan Gibson, Natchez, MS
  • Mayor Buz Craft, Vidalia, LA
  • Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative

Resources to explore


The Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders Agreement
An annotated copy of the Agreement that summarizes each part of the Agreement.

FAQ
A two-pager that answers all your questions about the Agreement and how to get involved.

Signature Page
The page for Mayors and Tribal Leaders to sign to join the Agreement.

Implementation Plan
A two-page form Mayors and Tribal Leaders complete to identify their 2-5 commitments to the Mississippi River.