The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture sent a joint letter to states and tribal groups this week encouraging “reinvigoration” of efforts to reduce agricultural runoff and acknowledging “nutrient pollution continues to be widespread, particularly in the Mississippi River Basin.” The letter sent Tuesday offers state environmental and agricultural agencies one-on-one meetings with the EPA and USDA to identify ways to reduce nitrates and phosphorus flowing into waterways.
These nutrients contribute to an oxygen-deprived dead zone that fish and other organisms must flee or die.
The Gazette found few Midwest states have consistent nutrient-reduction funding, some aren’t documenting what steps they’re taking and most can show no real improvement in nutrient reduction in the past 10 years.
Meanwhile, the dead zone persists, measuring at 2,720 square miles in July.
“The agencies are committed to engaging with local stakeholders, leveraging our collective resources, and helping to remove regulatory or other barriers that impede progress in this space,” the letter states.
“One thing that stood out is them offering ‘flexibility’ in implementing TMDLs,” Rota said, referring to the Total Maximum Daily Load plans, or pollution diets, states and the EPA may put on rivers and lakes.
“This looks like the same stuff they have been doing,” Rota said.
“The EPA and the USDA have routinely provided support, technical assistance, resources, etc., over the years to help Iowa meet its water quality and conservation goals,” he said.
Indiana State Department of Agriculture officials met last month with Northey and Anna Wildeman, the EPA’s deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Water, said Indiana agriculture spokesman Ben Gavelek.
“Especially with the Hypoxia Task Force meeting right around the corner, which includes Assistant Administrator Ross and is a great time to build collaboration.” The task force will meet for the first time in a year on Jan. 29 in Baton Rouge, La.