The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act (HABHRCA)

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (also known as HABHRCA) and amendments created an Inter-Agency Task Force (now called the Inter Agency Working Group or IWG) to advance the scientific understanding and ability to detect, monitor, assess, and predict HAB and hypoxia events in marine and freshwater in the U.S. HABHRCA delineates the role of the IWG (composed of 13 collaborating federal agencies), requires maintaining and enhancing a national program to control and mitigate HAB and hypoxia events, directs the IWG to develop regular reports and plans to reduce the likelihood of HABs formation and mitigate their damage, and directs the IWG to conduct assessments of HABs and Hypoxia as requested. The Act identifies the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as lead agency of the National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program with program responsibilities for marine and Great Lakes waters, while EPA was given program responsibilities for freshwaters. Together, NOAA and EPA co-chair the IWG.

The Act identifies the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as lead agency of the National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program with program responsibilities for marine and Great Lakes waters, while EPA was given program responsibilities for freshwaters. Together, NOAA and EPA co-chair the IWG. Read more about federal collaboration through the IWG (pdf).

• Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014 (pdf)
• NOAA’s Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA) website
• Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Comprehensive Research Plan and Action Strategy: An Interagency Report (pdf)
• Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia in the United States: A Report on Interagency Progress and Implementation (pdf)
• Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia in the Great Lakes: An Interagency Progress and Implementation Report (pdf)
• Mississippi River/Gulf of America Hypoxia Task Force