Contact: Sammy McDavid
Public discussions of the impact Mississippi's water resources will have on future growth and development will be held next month in Oxford and Starkville.
The 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. sessions take place July 18 at the University of Mississippi Union and on the 19th at Mississippi State University's Leo Seal M-Club Center.
The Mississippi Public Service Commission and MSU's John C. Stennis Institute of Government are sponsoring the programs. While designed primarily for business and government officials, the sessions are open to all persons who reserve a seat by July 7.
"Water is our most precious resource and Mississippi's future growth and development are dependent upon it," said Bo Robinson of Hamilton, public service commissioner for the Northern District. "It is a fact that concerns over the long-term stability of an adequate water supply are growing and this conference is designed to address them."
Lunch will be provided. Mississippi entertainer and wildlife conservation advocate Paul Ott will be the featured luncheon speaker, with additional remarks to be given by state Rep. Jim Ellington of Jackson and Sen. Alan Nunnelee of Tupelo.
Among program speakers will be Charles Branch of the state Department of Environmental Quality, Roger Burke of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Harry Martin of the Lee County Community Development Foundation, Chip Morgan of the Delta Council, Jonathan Pote of the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, and David Waide of Mississippi Farm Bureau. Former legislator Bruce Hanson of DynaHealth Inc. of Columbus will be both master of ceremonies and a program presenter.
Marty Wiseman, Stennis Institute executive director, joined Robinson in urging widespread participation in the two programs.
"North Mississippi no longer can take its water supplies for granted," Wiseman said. "When participants have heard the speakers at these programs, they will better understand why."
For more information, contact Shirley Bounds at the Public Service Commission, telephone (601) 961-5476 or 1-800-356-6428; or e-mail shirley.bounds@psc.state.ms.us. To reach the Stennis Institute, telephone (662) 325-3328.