The 2001 Action Plan describes a national strategy to reduce the frequency, duration, size, and degree of oxygen depletion of the hypoxic zone of the northern Gulf of Mexico. The plan was submitted as a Report to Congress on January 18, 2001.
In 2006 as part of the reassessment, EPA’s Office of Water, on behalf of the Task Force, requested that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) convene an independent panel to evaluate the state of the science regarding hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and potential nutrient mitigation and control options in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River basin (MARB). The Task Force was particularly interested in scientific advances since the Integrated Assessment and issued charge questions in three areas: characterization of hypoxia; nutrient fate, transport and sources; and the scientific basis for goals and management options.
ADB is a relational database for tracking water quality assessment data, including use attainment, and causes and sources of impairment. EPA uses state-level ADB information to feed the national ATTAINS data management system.
Best management practices (BMPs) are used by agricultural producers to control the generation and delivery of pollutants from agricultural activities to water resources of the state, thereby reducing the amount of agricultural pollutants entering surface and ground waters. This publication includes information on five main areas: nutrient management, pesticide management, soil and water management, pasture management and general farm BMPs.
Assist by linking agricultural/forestry related businesses with financial resources (including loans and grants), identify raw material supplies and directing such entities to various state sponsored business incentives. Assistance is available to local and out of state business interests as well as through community and economic development organizations; Division staff may also assist in the identification of financial resources outside of the programs offered by the LDAF. The following entities offer financial assistance: USDA Rural Development and Farm Service Agency, Ag Credit Corporations First South Farm Credit and Louisiana Ag Credit, the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation at Louisiana Department of Economic Development as well as commercial banks.