Hello NLRS Working Group members,
See below for announcements from U.S. EPA and NOAA.
Thank you,
Steering Committee
Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy
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EPA Announces Hypoxia Task Force Interim Target Progress
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2026
"On behalf of the Hypoxia Task Force, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing an update on progress towards the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan nutrient reduction 2025 interim target [see press release here]. The 12 Hypoxia Task Force States have made strong progress implementing their own nutrient reduction strategies and as a result are improving water quality in their local communities, across the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River Basin, and in the Gulf of America.
The Hypoxia Task Force’s voluntary 2025 interim target is to reduce total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River Basin to the Gulf of America by 20 percent from the baseline of 1980 – 1996. The Hypoxia Task Force has surpassed the interim target for total nitrogen. The United States Geologic Survey, or USGS, 2025 data shows that total nitrogen has decreased by 28 percent compared to the baseline, with a 29 percent decrease in nitrogen due to changes in upstream nitrogen sources, and a 1 percent increase due to a long-term change in streamflow. The Hypoxia Task Force has not yet met the interim target for total phosphorus. The USGS 2025 data shows that total phosphorus has increased by 13 percent compared to the baseline, with a 12 percent increase in phosphorus due to changes in upstream phosphorus sources, and a 1 percent increase due to a long-term change in streamflow. Thank you for your continued interest in the work of the Hypoxia Task Force." - Mississippi River/Gulf of America Hypoxia Task Force.
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2026 Gulf Hypoxia Forecast
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
"Today, NOAA released its annual Gulf of America hypoxia or "dead zone" forecast. The forecast is for an above-average sized hypoxic zone of 7,027 square miles, making it above the 5,223 square mile average over the 39-year history of dead zone measurements in the region.
The forecast is based on nutrient loading data provided by USGS for the month of May. The NOAA ensemble forecast, based on multiple models, estimates the size of the hypoxic zone in July, around the time of the measurement cruise. We would like to thank our USGS colleagues for the long-standing partnership that enables us to produce this forecast." - Sean Corson, NOAA
