Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone More Than Double 2035 Target
oxygen levels (hypoxia) cause animals, like fish and shrimp, to leave the area. Exposure to hypoxic waters has been found to alter fish diets, growth rates, reproduction, habitat use and availability of commercially harvested species such as shrimp.Hypoxia Task Force effortsIn June 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Gulf Hypoxia Program to further accelerate nutrient reduction actions by the Task Force to make significant progress toward the Task Force's Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan.“Nutrient pollution impacts water bodies across the country and in the Gulf of Mexico
US Harbor Craft: Measuring Opportunity for Zero Emissions
remain.“In the U.S., the focus of standards is tilted toward the reduction of NOx and particulate matter PM,” Lewis noted. “California is in a unique position that it can set its own emission standards, which are currently higher than those mandated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Where feasible, California encourages the use of zero-emission options.”The CALSTART-Intelatus study, funded in part by the Clean Off-Road Equipment Incentive Project (CORE), profiled the U.S. harbor craft fleet, but also dialed in specifically on California, finding 676
Officials Urge EPA to Remove Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' from the Hudson River
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand earlier this month stood with local leaders and environmental advocates at Albany City Hall to demand that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) take additional action to clean up polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) “forever chemicals” in the Hudson River.PCBs are toxic manmade chemicals that can linger in water and soil for decades. Exposure is associated with a variety of serious health conditions, including cancer.From 1947 to 1977, General Electric dumped 1.2 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson River north of Albany. In 1984, the EPA designated a
Coast Guard Monitoring Oil Discharge from Scuttled Liberty Ship
the artificial reef. Coast Guard personnel conducted preliminary investigations; contacting other government agencies to include Florida’s DEP, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission (FWC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Okaloosa County’s coastal resource manager.Since receiving initial reports of pollution, the Coast Guard, together with federal, state and local stakeholders, continued to monitor the situation. Earlier this year, the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) was utilized
Below-average Gulf of Mexico ‘Dead Zone’ Measured
reducing excess nutrients in the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin by promoting collaboration among federal partners, states, farmers and other stakeholders.“The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is a stark reminder that water quality and land stewardship go hand in hand,” said Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “At EPA, we recognize this and are investing $60 million through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in work that states are doing to reduce excess nutrients that feed the dead zone.”In June, the EPA announced
NOAA Forecasts Average Summer 'Dead Zone' in the Gulf of Mexico
in the Gulf of Mexico is linked to nutrients coming from throughout the Mississippi River Basin. The Task Force uses the information the two agencies produce to inform nutrient reduction targets across the Mississippi watershed states.Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investing $60 million over the next five years to support the implementation of nutrient reduction strategies that will address the challenge of Gulf hypoxia.“The Hypoxia Task Force has a transformational opportunity to further control nutrient loads in the Mississippi
NOAA Awards $41 Million for Ocean Observing
are awarded through a competitive process that includes funds from U.S. IOOS along with NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Weather Service, NOAA Fisheries, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations; the U.S. Geological Survey; and the Environmental Protection Agency.•Over the next five years, the Alaska Ocean Observing System will focus on maintaining and enhancing their Ocean Data Explorer while supporting initiatives that respond to Alaska region needs, such as the Alaska Ocean Observing Network. (First year award: $4,176,512)•The Caribbean
Favorable Offshore Winds Blowing from the Biden Administration
as well as rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, the landmark international agreement signed in 2015 to limit global warming. The goal is to have net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.Former Secretary of State John Kerry was appointed as the international climate envoy, and former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy was designated as the domestic climate czar. They have their work cut out for them, as the goal of simply meeting the present Paris Climate Agreement goals may not reduce GHG emissions to the required levels.Offshore wind will be a critical part of reaching
EPA to Lift Sunken Vessel Leaking Oil in Lake Tahoe
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will raise a vessel first reported sunk in Lake Tahoe on January 15. EPA, in coordination with the El Dorado County Sheriff, the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response is taking action to raise the vessel after a February 15 report indicating the vessel had begun leaking oil.EPA will spend approximately $20,000 to remove the vessel and associated debris from the lake and has hired High Sierra Marine Inc. to perform
