The Mississippi River Collaborative petitioned the EPA in 2008 to "set numeric limits on Dead Zone-causing pollution in the Mississippi River and Gulf, as well as create an enforceable clean-up plan for the Dead Zone." The EPA recently denied their petition. The press release from the Iowa Environmental Council (a member of the Mississippi River Collaborative) and more background on the story are here: http://www.bleedingheartland.com/diary/4903/epa-declines-petition-for-action-on-dead-zone This is another depressing sign of the EPA being afraid to impose pollution regulations opposed by major industries. They have delayed implementing the new smog (ozone) standards four times in the past year. I suspect that the anti-Clean Water Act bill passed by the U.S. House in July has contributed to this atmosphere of intimidation at EPA. More background on that here: http://www.bleedingheartland.com/diary/4819/ia03-boswell-votes-for-dirty-water-bill http://www.bleedingheartland.com/diary/4859/boswell-latham-and-king-vote-to-undermine-clean-water-act - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp
