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'" -- The Missouri River Basin Commission was created by ExeCUlive Order 11658 of Presidenl Rich.ud M. NilWn on March 22, 1972.lr was terminated by Executive Order 12319 of President Ronald Reagan on September 30.1981. During its nearty ten-yecH existence, the Commission had responsibility for regional planning and coordination of water resource management activities in the Missouri River basin - an area comprising nearly one-sixth of the conterminous United States. The accomplishments and .actiom of the Commission during its life- time are briefly reviewed in the sections that follow. The review is presented according to the four main responsibilities of the Com- mission - coordination, comprehensive planning. priorities, and special activities. Inlentionally, no attempt was made to assess the value, success, or failure 01 any of the Commission's accomplish- ments or i1dions. That is leit for those with a more objective viewpoint and with the benefit of hindsight. listings of the basin states' governors and the Commission Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, members, alternate members, observers and staff members during the Commission's existence follow the review of Commission accomplishments and actions. Coordination Role of the Governors Governors of the ten Missouri River basin stales were instrumental in crealing the Missouri River Basin Commission and continued to support the work of the Commission throughout its existence. The Commission was created in March 1972 by Executive Order of the President at the request of the basin governors. From 1976 through 1979, through the auspices of the Commission, the governors met annually to discuss common issues rel,lIed tothe basin'swater resources. In 1976, basin states' govprnors met in SI. Paul, Minnesota - the lirst time they had convened to discuss water and related land resources in more than a decade. At th.lt meeting, the governors identified six areas of mutual concern regarding the basin's water resources: . Resolution of sensitive and urgent Indian water rights and inter- state water allocation issues. . Management of water resources in areas of potential coal develop- ment for minimal economic, social, and environmental disruption. . Additional information and management strategies for ground water use and ground/surface waler relationships. . Provision of good quality water for all domestic users. many of whom presently have substandard supplies. . Reduction of urban and rural flood damages; additional land treat. ment for soil and water conservation. . Determination of instream flow requiremenls. Two resolutions were passed by the governors in 1976. The first stated their inlent to communicate the basin's water resource develop. ment funding needs 10 the U.S. Water Resources Council and Congress. The second expressed their resol...e to meet annually to conlinue dialogue concerning the basin's water resources. --- - - -- - -