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Hypoxia task force meets in Iowa

The Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force is meeting in Des Moines (Tuesday & Wednesday) to discuss accomplishments and challenges ahead in the hypoxia zone, or, “dead zone.”  Ann Mills, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, tells Brownfield Ag News the task force is taking concrete actions to address nutrient runoff and other contributors to hypoxia – making sure they get the science right.

“Making sure that we have the most accurate baselines of where we are right now in terms of what the nitrogen and phosphorus and sediment loads are. And, then, calculating what the actual effectiveness is of these conservation programs and how much of that is actually coming off of ag lands,” says Mills.

Mills says a number of investments will go into effect in the next fiscal year, in October, to support the work that’s already being done by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other federal agencies with their partners.

“We’re going to get a much better sense of what is really happening on the landscape so that as we make future investments, we’re investing those dollars wisely – not only the taxpayer’s dollars but the farmers dollars. Because, remember, they contribute dollars as part of the cost share of putting these practices in place,” Mills tells Brownfield.

As part of the meeting, a Science Expo on new technologies for improving water quality is being held Wednesday at Iowa State University’s BioCentury Research Farm.

 

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