Courtesy of Conium

“…82% of the (Oklahoma) streams tested statewide did not meet the (bacteria) standards for primary body contact…EPA is investigating to see if it is a criteria issue or if there is actually a public health risk.” – Bill Cauthron, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, June 20, 2006.

Almost two years have passed since Mr. Cauthron made those comments to the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission. In 2007 The Water Resources Board had bacteria sampling stations at 102 locations on 44 streams across the state of Oklahoma. Only 11 of those stations reported bacteria levels appropriate for primary body contact for people recreating in Oklahoma streams. Anecdotal reports suggest Oklahoma’s lakes may be just as bad, if not worse.

Ed Fite of the Scenic Rivers Commission has initiated a bacteria sampling program for the Illinois River for this summer with samples being taken from 8 locations twice weekly – a truly comprehensive effort.

Some of those samples have shown normal bacteria levels. Some of those samples have shown higher levels.

The higher bacteria samples from last week were trumpeted by the press, and the result was predictable – the coverage caused visitors to cancel reservations to float on the Illinois River. Those tourists probably recreated on other streams and lakes – streams and lakes we know 8 out of 10 times also exceed the bacteria levels for primary body contact.

To focus only on the Illinois River appears to be an act of economic terrorism against the small business community of the Illinois River watershed. Those businesses should not be asked to shoulder the burden of what is without question a statewide problem – periodic high levels of bacteria in our lakes and streams.

On the one hand, Ed Fite should be commended for having the initiative to build a weekly data base for bacteria levels this summer on the Illinois for future study and analysis. On the other hand, the selective use of that information as a weapon to hurt small family business is reprehensible. Hopefully this incident will prompt the State Chamber of Commerce to begin work now with state water quality agencies to develop a public information system based on knowledge, not hysteria.

The Illinois River may be our state’s most discussed stream, but it is only one stream of many that people use for recreation. Water quality is a statewide issue that demands statewide focus and resources.

The 2007 Oklahoma Water Resources Board Beneficial Use Monitoring Program can be viewed on their website, www.owrb.ok.gov – the 177-page document is listed under the water quality section.

Rick Stubblefield
Adair County Representative
Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission