1. to provide an opportunity for dialogue and networking among a diverse group of Mississippi stakeholders
2. to inform stakeholders about water quality and supply issues and their impact on Mississippi's quality of life
3. to enlarge the number and diversity of stakeholders participating in water management.

The planning committee was led by Larry Oldham, from Mississippi State University-Department of Plant and Soil Services, and included representatives from USDA-NRCS, the University of Mississippi Extension, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, EPA's Gulf of Mexico Program, and the Gulf Restoration Network.

The Mississippi Roundtable was held in Raymond on September 12-13, 2001. Over 80 participants representing various agencies and organizations attended. Education was provided on watershed issues and various watershed protection success stories from around the state were presented. A panel of representatives from industry, local government, environmental organizations, agriculture, and state regulatory agencies discussed water quality and quantity issues on a "State of the State" panel. Five river-basin-based breakout sessions provided facilitated discussions on protection efforts that are working, or not working at the local level, needed improvements to current efforts, and future directions for the state. The participants stressed the need for more interagency coordination and cooperation, increased funding for local watershed initiatives, increased local government and industrial awareness of water issues, and increased public education on watershed issues.

One of the most important outcomes of the Mississippi Roundtable was the plan to have regional organizations "host" basin-level roundtables in 2002 to further engage more stakeholders at the local level. The first such event, the Mississippi Coastal Basin Watershed Roundtable is scheduled for March 12 in Gulfport. Plans are also moving forward on two other roundtables in northern and central Mississippi. The next statewide Roundtable is planned for February, 2003.

Contact: Larry Oldham, MS State U. Plant & Soil Services – loldham@pss.msstate.edu

Mississippi Coastal Basin Watershed Forum

To further involve more local organizations in discussions about watershed issues of concern to the coastal communities, the South Mississippi Environmental and Agricultural Coordination Organization (SMEACO) hosted the first Mississippi Coastal Basin Watershed Roundtable on March 12, 2002 at the Orange Grove Community Center in Gulfport. This one-day meeting provided discussions on development, smart growth, conservation, TMDLs and other relevant watershed issues. It was principally designed to further public awareness of watersheds, solicit public input on the key issues facing watersheds in the region, and to establish a network of interested people, organizations, businesses and agencies. SMEACO is a network of persons from local, state, and federal agencies, nonprofit groups, business and industry within a six coastal county area of Mississippi interested in promoting environmental education.

Contact: Mark LaSalle, MS State U. Extension Center – 228-388-4710 – markl@ext.msstate.edu

North Mississippi Basin Roundtable

Nearly 178 people attended the North MS Watershed Forum Roundtable held at the University of Mississippi Field Station -Center For Water & Wetland Resources in Abbeville on August 28, 2002. Stakeholders from industry, agriculture, local governments, regional planning councils, environmental and conservation groups and watershed organizations and academic institutions met to discuss resource issues and possible solutions in the North Mississippi region. Local watershed success stories were highlighted, along with education on TMDLs, adopt-a-stream programs, starting watershed organizations and the State River Basin plans. A final report will be made available.

Contact: Chris Patton, 662-915-5479 or cjpatton@olemiss.edu