"A federal judge in New Orleans has handed environmental groups what amounts to half a loaf in their push for federal regulations on the flow of pollutants into the Mississippi River that fuels the annual spring low-oxygen 'Dead Zone' along Louisiana’s Gulf coast."

"U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey on Friday ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency must issue a formal finding of whether federal rules are necessary, pushing the agency in the direction environmental groups requested. But the judge also said the agency is not limited to making that judgment solely on environmental reasons.

The ruling gives EPA 180 days to issue a 'necessity' ruling on whether more stringent regulations are required."

Mark Schleifstein reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune September 23, 2013. [2]