NCSL - National Conference of State Legislatures

01/22/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/22/2026 10:32

New NCSL Report: State Policy Options for Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Mississippi River Watershed

Washington, D.C. - Spanning 31 states and serving as a vital water, economic and ecological resource, the Mississippi River basin faces growing environmental and infrastructure pressures. State legislators are using a range of legislative tools to reduce risk and strengthen long-term resilience through both engineered and nature-based strategies, according to a new report from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

"The Mississippi River Watershed: State Policy Options for Risk Reduction and Resilience," highlights how state policymakers are addressing shared watershed challenges, including flooding, water quality, drought and extreme weather impacts. The report further identifies innovative policy approaches and legislative examples that strengthen resilience and protect communities across the basin.

To read the entire report, click here.

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.

NCSL - National Conference of State Legislatures published this content on January 22, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 22, 2026 at 16:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]