With the flexibility to address multiple basin areas (including the Yazoo, Tennessee-Tombigbee, Big Black, Pearl, South Independent Streams, Pascagoula, and Coastal Streams), this presentation can be tailored to the particular interests of the audience. The talk will give a brief introduction on the past and current governance of water resources in the state and the state agencies responsible for regulating water quality and use. The presentation will also include an overview of historical water use trends, or how water has been used in the basin (recreational, industrial, agricultural, etc.) in recent decades, and lead the audience up to the current state of water resource and opportunities in the basin. The talk will highlight the importance of value of water to not only our health but our livelihoods and the economic stability of our state.