Well, we can blame the demand for corn, but doesn't this fall under jurisdiction of government agencies like the EPA, Wildlife and Fisheries, and the National Marine Fisheries? They've determined the fertilizer is having an adverse effect on the Gulf and the creatures that live there. The next logical step is to intervene and put a stop to it. Not only is it harming the wildlife, which should be enough, it's hurting another industry. Are they saying we have to just sit back and watch it happen? What ever happened to good old fashioned manure as fertilizer? Don't remember that shit ever causing this many problems.

Even the die-hards are realizing Ethanol is not really a vaible option. Environmentalist up here in Iowa have been fighting the good fight concerning nitrogen and phosphorous additives. I suggest instead of denying yourself the goodness of corn products altogether, buying organically grown.

Environment vs. economy, brother. Elect McCain in '08!!!

It isn't just the farmers who are to blame.

You know who, acre for acre puts the most pounds of fertilizer and chemicals into the ground? Who is most likely to over use, misuse, and waste fertilizer?

Homeowners pursuing the perfect lawn.

All that stuff runs down storm drains and leaches into groundwater and into the rivers. Think of all the acreage of lawn in all the cities of millions of people, all those huge suburbs of green lawn from the entire Mississippi river drainage basin, all feeding the dead zone.

Enjoy your corn on the cob, but let the lawn go a little. Mow higher, use a mulcing attachment, and if you have to use fert or chem, follow the directions.