The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers later this month will host a pair of public meetings to allow area residents to have input on updates to the organization's natural resource management master plan.

The new master plan will guide public use and management of 48.792 acres of federal public land and 106,208 acres of public water from Cairo in the south to just south of Hannibal, Mo. in the north. It will update the current master plan for the area that was approved in 2001.

Subjects to be discussed include ensuring a reliable navigation channel, providing safe recreational opportunities, stewardship of the environment and economic issues important to local river communities.

The public meetings will be held from 3-5 p.m. Jan. 22 at the National Great Rivers Museum at 2 Locks & Dam Way in Alton, and from 3-5 p.m. Jan 23 at the Clarksville Visitors Center at 302 N. 2nd St. in Clarksville, Mo.