Media Advisory: Agriculture Practices in 9 States Contribute Majority of Excessive Nutrients to Northern Gulf of Mexico

Editor’s note: This story is of particular interest to media outlets in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi.

The overabundance of nutrients in the Gulf has resulted in a zone of low dissolved oxygen, or hypoxia, which can cause stress and death in bottom-dwelling organisms, threatening the economic and ecological health of the one of the nation’s most productive fisheries.

Understanding the major urban, agricultural and atmospheric sources is critical in prioritizing areas for cost effective nutrient reduction.

The media are invited to attend the U.S. Geological Survey announcement of new findings on the primary agricultural sources and nine states that contribute the greatest amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.

Who: Robert M. Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, USGS Richard Alexander, Hydrologist and lead author of study, USGS Tim Petty, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Department of Interior

Where: The National Press Club Murrow Room 529 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20045

When: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008
1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m.

Call in number: 800- 945-9434