BISMARCK – The Missouri River Joint Water Board (MRJWB) will host a public meeting titled “The Importance of the Missouri River” on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 9 a.m. at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center in the Grand Pacific room.

This public meeting is presented as part of the MRJWB’s Educate, Advocate and Engage program. The program is designed to educate the general public and policymakers of the concerns of the users of North Dakota with the Missouri River system; advocate these concerns in clear and concise communications to state and federal leaders and regulatory agencies; and engage with all the interests in the state, all the users and those who rely on or enjoy the benefits of the river system, so that their inputs and voices are heard in how the system is managed. The Missouri River is an essential water resource in North Dakota, used for hydropower generation, irrigation, drinking water supply and recreation.

Missouri West Water System chairman Wade Bachmeier will moderate the meeting. Panelists will be Ken Royse, MRJWB program manager; Jim Schmidt, former North Dakota legislator and Morton County Water Resource District manager; Duane DeKrey, Garrison Diversion Conservancy District general manager; Clay Carufel, N.D. Department of Water Resources Missouri River engineer; and Michael Gunsch, Missouri River Advisory Council chairman.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.