The Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, which met on September 24, 1998, is comprised of federal and state officials. The Task Force's goal is to "establish and understand the causes and effects of eutrophication in the Gulf of Mexico, coordinate activities to reduce the size, severity and duration of this phenomenon, and to ameliorate its affects".

The Task Force's third meeting consisted of committee updates that reviewed existing data and information on the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Data seem to indicate that most of the nitrogen loading in the Mississippi River at the Gulf of Mexico is coming from the Upper Mississippi River Basin. An estimated 20 percent of the nitrogen load originates in Iowa and Illinois. Another area with significant input is the Ohio River. Most of the nitrogen inputs from the East are from atmospheric deposition, meaning that nitrogen in the atmosphere is returned to earth through rain.

Most of the solutions discussed involved modifications of landuse practices and rehabilitation of natural watershed functions. Specific suggested actions include implementing "best management practices"; landscape restoration, including wetlands, riparian zones, and coastal drainage; and stream and river restoration, where water quality values as well as flood control benefits are considered. Presenters encouraged the Task Force to pursue some of these steps now, even as they formulate a long term strategy for control of the Gulf's hypoxic zone.

Task Force members, however, did not reach consensus on whether to pursue preliminary control strategies now or to wait until the committees complete their full review of existing data. The date for the Task Force's next meeting has not been set but it will be held sometime in January-February 1999 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Upper Mississippi River Congressional Report November 1998