(EDITOR'S NOTE: THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR APPROVED THE OKLAHOMA WATER RESOURCES BOARD PHOSPHORUS LIMIT FOR STATE SCENIC RIVERS IN 2002).
GROUPS WARN PHOSPHORUS RUINING RIVERS
TULSA--Conservation groups are urging that Oklahomans stand up for scenic rivers by asking the Legislature and Governor to approve higher water quality standards passed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB).
Otherwise, rivers and lakes are vulnerable to phosphorus pollution and suffocating algae the groups warned in a joint statement today in Tulsa.
The OWRB approved a phosphorus limit of .037 mg/L for scenic rivers, allowing ten years for the limit to be achieved. The Oklahoma Legislature and Governor must approve the standard.
“We ask Oklahomans to support their scenic rivers by mailing letters and telephoning Governor Keating and legislators asking that they support a meaningful limit on phosphorus,” the statement said.
Oklahoma’s six legally designated scenic rivers are all in eastern Oklahoma. They are the Illinois River, Flint Creek, Barren Fork Creek, Lee Creek, Little Lee Creek, and the Upper Mountain Fork River.
The OWRB’s decision drew mixed reaction from Gerald Hilsher of Tulsa, a member of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission (OSRC).
“We hoped the board would set a higher standard for phosphorus, one more fitting of our scenic rivers like the Illinois River,” Hilsher said. “However, the OWRB has given scenic rivers the additional protection of a numeric limit as opposed to a loose, narrative limit.”
Presently, phosphorus levels average about .08 mg/L and higher in the Illinois River.
Ed Fite of Tahlequah, administrator of the OSRC, said the future of scenic rivers is at an important crossroads.
“The OWRB has handed us a golden opportunity to repair state scenic rivers. This is the most important thing that has happened since the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Act was approved over 30 years ago,” Fite said.
Jeannine Hale of Tulsa, speaking for the Oklahoma Sierra Club, said a voluntary phosphorus reduction goal agreed upon by Arkansas and Oklahoma is not being met.
“Reports show that phosphorus is increasing and without a meaningful numeric standard, Oklahoma may never prevail against polluters,” the former Assistant Oklahoma Attorney General said.
Tulsan Blake Champlin of Save the Illinois River, Inc. (STIR) said the phosphorus standard, legislation now being considered, and court actions aimed at the poultry industry are indications that Oklahomans are demanding safe, clean water.
“Some of those fighting water quality standards are very powerful corporations that have refused to take responsibility for the waste they produce. With a meaningful phosphorus limit, they won’t be able to abuse Oklahoma’s waters much longer,” Champlin said.
Also expressing support for adoption of a phosphorus limit for scenic rivers were the Oklahoma Farm Family Alliance’s Suzette Hatfield of Oklahoma City and Phillip Lorenz of Bartlesville, who represented the Scenic Rivers Association of Oklahoma.
“Unless we address the phosphorus problem, we won’t have scenic rivers in the future nor will we have wonderful lakes like Lake Tenkiller,” both agreed.