State officials released a report Tuesday on progress toward reducing urban and rural runoff contributing to the so-called 'hypoxia' or dead-zone in the U-S Gulf of Mexico.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Alec Messina says the state has made progress since introduction of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy required by the federal E-P-A two years ago;
The state's plan asks cities and rural towns to consider ways to reduce polluted runoff as well those who live and work in rural areas.
Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture Warren Goetsch (GOAT-sch) cited several, specifc examples at the Farm Progress Show underway in Decatur of what farmers are doing to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from cropland;
Illinois and 30 other states make up the Mississippi River basin. The federal government has required plans intended to improve the nation's water quality.
