EPA Awards $150 Million to Reduce Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone and Restore Estuary Water Quality

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $150 million in competitive grant funding through the Gulf Hypoxia Program and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, delivering capital to 12 state environmental agencies throughout the Mississippi River and Ohio River watersheds.

Combating Agricultural Runoff and Restoring Marine Ecosystems

The funding packages provide direct grants to fund the construction of 400 edge-of-field saturated buffer wetlands, restore 25,000 acres of riparian floodplains, and install automated continuous nitrate sensors along the Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers. EPA marine modeling indicates the coordinated watershed projects will intercept 35,000 metric tons of agricultural nitrogen and phosphorus annually, shrinking the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic 'dead zone' to below historical five-year targets.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized that protecting the Gulf of Mexico requires upstream partnerships with American farmers to protect drinking water and marine fisheries.

Commercial Shrimpers and Agricultural Cooperatives Support

Gulf Coast commercial shrimping and fishing associations praised the nutrient reduction targets, citing vital improvements in coastal brown shrimp nursery grounds.

Midwest state departments of agriculture commended the 100% federal cost-share grants for voluntary farm conservation.

Watershed Project Implementation Schedule

Riparian wetland engineering and buffer construction will commence across all 12 Mississippi basin states in spring 2027.