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News Release 354
ACTION PLAN TO REDUCE NUTRIENTS TO GULF OF MEXICO
Volume 36-354 |
Contact: Kerry Cordray |
(For immediate release) |
573-526-4220 |
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 16, 2008 -- The 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan, endorsed by federal agencies and several Mississippi River Basin states, was formally approved in New Orleans today.
Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico results from the introduction of excess nutrients from the Mississippi River Basin into the Gulf of Mexico. Nutrients are important to the environment, but excess nitrogen and phosphorus can harm water quality by feeding algae blooms and creating oxygen-deprived "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive.
The 2008 Action Plan builds upon the 2001 plan by incorporating emerging issues, innovative approaches, and the latest science, including findings from EPA's Science Advisory Board. Missouri provided input to the 2008 Action Plan and is represented on the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The value of rivers and streams to the citizens of Missouri is reflected by continued approval of a sales tax dedicated to soil and water conservation, providing an estimated $22 million in annual funding for on-site projects through the Department of Natural Resources Soil and Water Conservation Program. A recent study showed that practices supported by the program prevented an estimated 12 million tons of high nutrient soil from being introduced into Missouri waterways from 2004 through 2008.
Missouri has also targeted soil and water conservation program funds towards the Nonpoint Source Special Areas Land Treatment program (AgNPS SALT ). This program has supported 72 active watershed projects with an additional 12 proposed for funding this year. More than $50 million in state funding has been allocated to AgNPS SALT projects since the beginning of the program, with $7 million in funding targeted for 2008. This program has successfully supported activities such as nutrient and pest management plans, soil erosion practices, grazing and pasture improvement practices, animal waste practices and stream protection using measures such as exclusion fencing, watering tanks, stream bank stabilization and establishment of riparian buffers.
In addition, Missouri has taken steps to expand river and stream water quality monitoring stations across the state. The information provided by water quality monitoring stations will be critical for determining the sources of nutrients to rivers and streams and for developing nutrient reduction strategies that are both effective and economically prudent.
"Missouri looks forward to collaboratively working with the other basin states and federal partners to address nutrient pollution in our great rivers," said Deputy Director for Water Resources Mike Wells. "The state of Missouri recognizes that significant increases in federal funding will be required to support the broader basin-wide goals defined by the 2008 Gulf Coast Action Plan. Missouri supports the effort to fund nutrient reduction programs, which are of value not only to the citizens of the state, but to all citizens living downstream".
For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/index.html. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.
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