Fisheries management teams on the Mississippi River attend a tremendous number of meetings and actively participate in or with many Federal, State, and Private agencies to address projects and concerns related to the Mississippi River. These groups address topics ranging from changes in barge traffic up and down the river to placement of dredge spoils. Private organizations include groups concerned with development of river front property and groups concerned with the protection, preservation, and conservation of the Mississippi River resource. Interests, goals, and power of these groups are highly variable, but all require the input of Mississippi River fishery management teams to fulfill their purposes. This web of interest makes completion of most tasks an exercise in creative diplomacy.