Many Voices – One Horizon At Missouri River Natural Resources Conference

PIERRE, S.D. -- A forum for all river stakeholders, the Missouri River Natural Resources Conference will be held May 22-25 at the Ramkota RiverCentre in Pierre.

"Now in its ninth consecutive year, conference participants share perspectives, solve problems and exchange information on Missouri River resource management," said Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Program Administrator for Reservoir Research Jim Riis. "This year’s theme, Many Voices – One Horizon, highlights finding common ground between traditional indigenous understanding and contemporary scientific knowledge of the Missouri River’s ecosystem needs."

The plenary session, Bridging the Gap, focuses on the cultural exchange of river knowledge, as does a trip to the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation where participants visit cooperative projects that embody the sharing of scientific and cultural information – bank stabilization at a threatened archaeological site and restoration of a cottonwood forest. These projects are attempts to plan for the future and counteract the loss of riverine environment that occurred when the Missouri River was dammed fifty years ago, replacing the free-flowing big river with reservoirs.

Throughout the conference, participants explore what the river’s transformation meant for the environment and people, and what it means today. Current topics to be addressed include low water levels on Lake Oahe, sediment build-up in the reservoirs, methods for riverine habitat assessment, environmental monitoring, the relationship of wind energy to dam hydropower, and the Missouri National Recreational River, the only free-flowing river remaining in South Dakota.

Conference organizers and sponsors include the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, Missouri River Natural Resources Committee, the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, City of Pierre, U.S. Geological Survey, HDR Engineering, Inc., Western Area Power Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates, Mni Sose Intertribal Water Rights Coalition, Missouri River Basin Association, South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, University of South Dakota, American Rivers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Registration is available online at http://infolink.cr.usgs.gov/events/05.htm.

For information, contact Jim Riis, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, jim.riis@state.sd.us, (605) 223-7701.

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