RIVER CITY VISIT COULD BOOST AREA PROJECTS

Opportunity wasn't knocking at the door Sunday afternoon, it was docking at Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau.

City officials welcomed the motor vessel Mississippi Sunday at 5 p.m. with its 55 members of the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association and the Upper Mississippi Environmental Management Program aboard.

Members of the two organizations administer funding for a variety of projects along the upper Mississippi river including $19 million in annual federal funding. Cape Girardeau is in the lower section of the upper Mississippi basin.

"This is a kind of 'get acquainted' tour," said Mary Miller, director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitor's Bureau. "Other areas along the Mississippi have recreational facilities and are controlled by locks and dams, but nothing like that exists in this area."

Miller said allowing members of the two organizations to get acquainted could benefit the lower region of the upper Mississippi basin and Cape Girardeau in the future.

She said that by inviting members of UMBRA and the Upper Mississippi Environmental Management Program to Cape Girardeau, they can see for themselves what the area needs. Members who more fully understand the area are more apt to endorse programs affecting the lower area of the upper Mississippi.

That could translate into greater economic development for Cape Girardeau, she said.

Some members of the two organizations participating in Sunday's tour of the Mississippi between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau were visiting the area for the first time.

"This helps," said Jim Brown, chairman of UMBRA. "By seeing this area first hand, we can go back and know from our own experience what needs to be done."

After boarding the vessel Mississippi -- a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's boat -- in St. Louis Sunday morning, the corps pointed out effects of the flood of 1993 in the area. The corps also presented programs on needs in the lower region of the upper Mississippi River.

In Cape Girardeau, participants were treated to a city tour and private dinner at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport, where they mingled with city officials.

Brown said that by cruising down the Mississippi Sunday and listening to the Corps' presentation, he could see for himself what issues concern the lower area of the upper Mississippi. He said Sunday's event would be a tremendous aid when he considers endorsing a future program for the area.

Jerry Vineyard, a coordinator of Sunday's event, said the upper Mississippi basin is controlled by 27 locks and dams from St. Louis north. The lock and dam system sometimes diverts attention away from other projects south of St. Louis.