1. World Resources Institute

2. Hypoxia: What is it? What causes It? The Dead Zone > Seasonally oxygen depleted zone in the Gulf of Mexico > Mobile aquatic species leave the area > Those that can’t leave die or are weakened Primary Cause > N itrogen from the Mississippi River Basin World Resources Institute

3. Setting the scene Hypoxia: The Growing Problem World Resources Institute

4. Setting the scene Sources of Nitrogen? World Resources Institute

5. Setting the scene Where does the nitrogen come from? World Resources Institute Source: USGS, 2000

6. WRI Policy Research ? Agricultural Policy Analysis ! Fertilizer Tax on Nitrogen ! Extension of CRP ! Conservation Tillage Subsidy ! GHG Trading ! Nutrient Trading ! Nutrient Trading with GHG Payments World Resources Institute

7. Setting the scene Nitrogen delivered to the Gulf World Resources Institute

8. Setting the scene Farm Income World Resources Institute

9. Setting the scene Greenhouse Gas Emissions World Resources Institute

10. Setting the scene Nitrogen Lost to Waterways World Resources Institute

11. Setting the scene Phosphorus Lost to Waterways World Resources Institute

12. Setting the scene Soil Erosion World Resources Institute

13. Setting the scene Cost-Effectiveness World Resources Institute

14. Setting the scene Regional Impacts World Resources Institute

15. Setting the scene Regional Impacts World Resources Institute

16. WRI Findings Findings ? Considering nitrogen delivery to the Gulf is important ? Nutrient trading is the most cost-effective solution ? Co-benefits are important World Resources Institute

17. WRI Recommendations Recommendations ? Establish and implement a N cap for Mississippi River Basin ? Promote nutrient trading programs ? Develop a coordinated and collaborative approach to watershed planning ? Establish coordinated monitoring strategies World Resources Institute

18. WRI Recommendations Recommendations ?Farm conservation spending should be targeted ? Need to explore other opportunities to reduce GHG emissions ? Develop strategy to address a suite of environmental problems NOT individual problems World Resources Institute