Committee Membership

Dave Moreau, Chairman, University of North Carolina, Chapel HillRobin Craig, Florida State University, TallahasseeMike Demissie, Illinois State Water Survey, ChampaignOtto Doering III, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IndianaDave Dzombak, Carnegie Mellon University, PittsburghG. Tracy Mehan III, The Cadmus Group, Inc., Arlington, VirginiaNancy Rabalais, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, ChauvinPaul Freedman, LimnoTech, Ann Arbor, MichiganThomas Simpson, University of Maryland, College ParkRoger Wolf, Iowa Soybean Association, Urbandale

Study Director: Jeff Jacobs, NRC WSTB

Statement of Task

1) Given the state of scientific knowledge, and associated uncertainties, about nutrient and sediment loadings and Gulf hypoxia, how might loading estimates and targets be used to initiate pollutant control programs?

2) What are the alternative methods to allocate load reductions to tributaries, land uses, and other source classifications?

3) How should the effectiveness of pollutant loading reduction strategies on the Gulf hypoxic zone and states’ designated uses be documented?

• Demonstrate ability to achieve nutrient loading reductions in priority watersheds;

• Evaluate local water quality and other benefits of nutrient control actions;

• Evaluate cost effectiveness and economic viability of various nutrient control options.

EPA and USDA should jointly establish a Nutrient Control Implementation Initiative

(NCII) with the goals of:

• learn more about the effectiveness of nutrient control actions in a science-based framework (technical);

• offer opportunities to strengthen cooperation among government bodies, scientists, farmers, private sector, and NGOs (institutional);

• identify economically and culturally viable nutrient control activities (socioeconomic).

NCII logic and goals…..

Monitoring Effectiveness of the NCII

A Mississippi River Basin Water Quality Center should be established.

EPA and USDA should jointly administer the center. Other participants – USGS, Corps of Engineers, state natural resources agencies, university experts.

Key functions:• plan and administer NCII projects; • conduct cooperative w.q. and land use monitoring;• advise on statistical approaches; • provide technical assistance & training; • produce reports on project eval. & implementation.

Overcoming Perceived Obstacles to Action• Scientific knowledge base never will be perfect…but we

generally know the areas of highest nutrient loadings and have enough information to get started

• We do not know exactly what % of reduction in loadings is required to meet the 5,000 sq km area goal…but we know that substantial reductions in loadings will be necessary, at least initially

• There is no single, fully comprehensive nutrient management plan…but this will always be a work in progress

• Limited institutional and regulatory authorities…but CWA provides EPA broad authority to promote interagency and interstate coordination

Ongoing NRC Study: Clean Water Act Implementation

Across the Mississippi River Basin

This committee will provide advice to the U.S. EPA and other parties on strategic priorities and alternatives for actions regarding Clean Water Act implementation across the Mississippi River basin…   

The committee will convene a series of workshops that feature expert guest speakers and dialogue with the committee regarding water quality and nutrient control activities across the Mississippi River basin.  In this process, the committee will identify pros, cons, and prospects of strategic priorities and alternative actions under the Clean Water Act to help achieve both local water quality improvements and into the northern Gulf of Mexico.  The committee also will provide advice to enhance research and knowledge regarding various nutrient control actions and outcomes. 

Contact information:

• Jeffrey Jacobs, PhD

• National Research Council, Washington

• jjacobs@nas.edu

• 202 334-3422