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TASK FORCE TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE TO DISCUSS NUTRIENT RUNOFF IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN

Release Date: 06/27/1999
Contact Information: DAWN HARRIS, EPA PRESS AND MEDIA RELATIONS, 404-562-8421

The Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, June 30, 1999 and continuing on Thursday, July 1, 1999 to discuss nutrient runoff in the Mississippi River Basin. Also, there will be an optional work session at Mud Island from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the evening of June 30, 1999, featuring guest speaker John Barry, author of Rising Tide.

During the public meeting, the Task Force will discuss the conclusions and comments received on the science assessments developed by experts for the White House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. These assessments include substantive information about the hypoxia (low oxygen) zone and its effects in the Gulf of Mexico; the approaches for reducing nutrient loadings; and the economic implications of nitrogen reduction. Also, the Task Force will discuss the “Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research Control Act of 1998;” and a plan for addressing excessive nutrient enrichment of waters in the Mississippi River Basin and on the Texas-Louisiana Inner Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico. Public participation is encouraged.

The Task Force is a multi-partner group of senior executives representing federal, state, and tribal organizations and agencies. The group was formed in 1997 to study the causes and effects of excessive nutrient runoff into the Mississippi River Basin and to coordinate activities that will alleviate hypoxia conditions in the Gulf of Mexico.

WHO: MISSISSIPPI RIVER/ GULF OF MEXICO WATERSHED NUTRIENT TASK FORCE (FEDERAL, STATE AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES)



WHAT:PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS NUTRIENT RUNOFF IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1999 AT 12:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

OPTIONAL WORK SESSION: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1999 AT 6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. (MUD ISLAND)

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1999 AT 8:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

WHERE:COOK CONVENTION CENTER 255 N. MAIN ST. MEMPHIS, TN 38103