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Action
Plan Calls for a Reduction in the Dead Zone
Jimmy Hall, 3L
On January 18, 2001, the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico
Watershed Nutrient Task Force (Task Force) submitted an Action
Plan to Congress detailing measures aimed at reducing the
size and duration of the hypoxic zone in the northern Gulf
of Mexico. The hypoxic zone, often referred to as the "dead
zone," occurs each summer when an excessive amount of
nitrogen originating in the Missis-sippi/Atchafalaya River
Basin (River Basin) flows into the northern Gulf, depleting
the oxygen levels, and causing aquatic species to either perish
or abandon the area. Alarmingly, the amount of nitrogen entering
the Northern Gulf has reached an all time high, resulting
in the dead zone averaging more than 14,000 square kilometers
over the past five years, nearly double that of a decade ago.
As a result of this disturbing increase, Congress passed the
Harmful Algal Boom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act, requiring
the Task Force to form the Action Plan implementing measures
for "reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia in
the northern Gulf of Mexico."1
The Action Plan focuses on reducing the nitrogen loads in
the northern Gulf by calling on the States, Federal agencies,
and Indian Tribes to implement practical, cost-effective measures
aimed at diminishing the runoff and discharge of nutrients
in the upper River Basin. The Action Plan is based upon five
principles; 1) encouraging actions that are voluntary, practical
and cost effective, 2) utilizing existing state and federal
regulatory programs, 3) following adaptive management schemes,
4) identifying funding needs and resources, and 5) providing
measurable outcomes outlined in the three long-term goals
(See box at bottom of adjoining page).
The Task Force admits that the Action Plan is a complicated
proposal due to scientific uncertainty, the extent of the
area involved and the number of States, Tribes and Federal
agencies implicated. Nevertheless, this complexity is mitigated
by incorporating conventional programs such as the Clean Water
Act, Water Resource Development Acts, Farm Bills and the Coastal
Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act into the
Action Plan.
The Action Plan is designed to be flexible, affording significant
discretion to each State, Tribe and Federal agency in the
development of programs tailored to the amount of nutrients
being discharged from specific areas. Given the Plan's flexibility,
and the continuing commitment to scientific research and monitoring,
the drafters believe that the hypoxic zone can be controlled,
noting that even the slightest reduction in nutrients entering
the northern Gulf will benefit the marine life in the affected
area.
ENDNOTE:
1. Public Law 105-383 section 604.
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