2012 Review of Scenic Rivers Total Phosphorous Criterion
OWRB Phosphorus Criteria Review Completed
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board unanimously accepted these reports at the April 10th, 2012 board meeting:
Final Report - Scenic Rivers Phosphorus Criteria Review � Majority Report
Arkansas TAG Members� Minority Report to OWRB
List of Related Documents
MP3 of August 11, 2011 Public Meeting
Background
The Oklahoma Legislature resolved to protect a handful of treasured streams when, in 1970, it passed the �Scenic Rivers Act� (82 O.S. 1451-1471). This and subsequent legislation identified six streams to be designated as �Scenic River Areas�: Flint Creek, Illinois River, Barren Fork Creek, Upper Mountain Fork River and Lee and Little Lee Creeks.
The primary purpose of the Scenic Rivers Act and the relevant water quality standards regulations is to preserve the high quality and unique characteristics of these outstanding resource waters:
�The Oklahoma Legislature finds that some of the free-flowing streams and rivers of Oklahoma possess such unique natural scenic beauty, water conservation, fish, wildlife and outdoor recreational values of present and future benefit to the people of the state that it is the policy of the Legislature to preserve these areas for the benefit of the people of Oklahoma. For this purpose there are hereby designated certain "scenic river areas" to be preserved as a part of Oklahoma's diminishing resource of free-flowing rivers and streams.�
In 2001, it was recognized that both empirical and anecdotal evidence over the preceding two decades indicated that, the Illinois River�s status as a Scenic River was seriously threatened by excess nutrients. These nutrients - primarily phosphorus - were seen to be causing accelerated primary productivity in the Illinois, resulting in significant growths of both attached algae (periphyton) and suspended algae (phytoplankton) that affected the historical river clarity and substrate quality. Without intervention, the Illinois River�s exceptional ecological and recreational significance was in jeopardy. Consequently, in 2002 the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) adopted a total phosphorus criterion of .037 mg/L to protect these Scenic Rivers.
EPA approval in December 2003 of the criterion was followed by a �Statement of Joint Principles and Actions� agreement signed by Oklahoma and Arkansas. Along with phosphorus limits for municipal discharges, poultry litter application controls and a monitoring plan, the agreement also stated that:
�Oklahoma periodically reevaluates all of its water quality standards. In particular, Oklahoma will reevaluate Oklahoma�s .037 mg/l criterion for total phosphorus in Oklahoma�s Scenic Rivers by 2012, based on the best scientific information available at that time, and with the full, timely inclusion of officials from the State of Arkansas representing both point and nonpoint source dischargers.�
A technical advisory group (TAG) with representatives from EPA, Arkansas, the Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma has been formed to evaluate the �best scientific information� and to recommend if additional criteria development is necessary.
Questions/Comments:
Water Quality Programs Division
405.530.8800
3800 N. Classen Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Best Scientific Information Request
To facilitate its review of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers phosphorus criterion, the OWRB requests contributions of �best scientific information� regarding numerical phosphorus criteria. Studies and information should focus on phosphorus concentrations and its in-stream and downstream effects on algae, impacts to the aquatic community, fisheries, ecological integrity, recreation and aesthetics of the Scenic Rivers. The OWRB also requests �best scientific information� related to duration, frequency, flow, and seasonal considerations associated with phosphorus and these effects. Information may include scientific studies, water quality models and other information concerning phosphorus in rivers like the Illinois River, Barren Fork, Flint Creek, Lee and Little Lee Creeks and the Upper Mountain Fork River. Scientific information submitted will be evaluated for its scientific quality and merit, relevance to the Scenic Rivers and how it will restore and preserve the unique natural scenic beauty, water conservation, fish, wildlife and outdoor recreational values. Information ranking by the TAG will follow the attached guidelines.
Please send studies, reports and other �best scientific information� no later than August 1, 2011 to the above address.
Public Meeting
OWRB and the Technical Advisory Group met on August 11, 2011 to discuss the Scenic Rivers Criterion review process. The public was invited to present scientific information regarding the Scenic Rivers phosphorus criterion and its suitability.
Audio Transcript from August 11, 2011
Related Documents
General
- Public Notice: Best Scientific Information Request
- Secondary Data QAPP
- EPA 2001 OWQS Approval
- Arkansas Oklahoma Statement of Joint Principles and Actions
- Nutrient Concentrations and Yields; Clark et al.
- Workplan For Phosphorus Criteria Review
- 2001 Rationale for Promulgation of Total P Criterion for Scenic Rivers
Scientific Information Received
- Mitchell Williams Submittal
- NW Ark Council Submittal
- University of Arkansas Submittal
- WWE Submittal
- City of Bentonville Submittal
- City of Fayetteville Submittal
- City of Rogers Submittal
- City of Siloam Springs Submittal
- City of Springdale Submittal
- Senator Boozman Letter to OWRB (2011-08-01)
- USGS Submittal Letter
- Trends in Annual Peak Flows and Mean Annual Flows of Selected Streams Within and Near Oklahoma
- Phosphorus Concentrations, Loads, and Yields in the Illinois River Basin, Arkansas and Oklahoma, 2000-2004
- Statistical Summaries of Streamflow in and near Oklahoma Through 2007
- Summary of Surface-Water Quality Data from the Illinois River Basin in Northeast Oklahoma, 1970-2007
- Percentile Distributions of Median Nitrite Plus Nitrate as Nitrogen, Total Nitrogen, and Total Phosphorus Concentrations in Oklahoma Streams, 1973-2001
- Phosphorus Concentrations, Loads, and Yields in the Illinois River Basin, Arkansas and Oklahoma, 1997-2001
- Scientific Literature in Review
- Alexander and Smith 2006
- Andrews et al. 2009
- Arnwine & Sparks 2003
- Bailey, Haggard, and Massey 20111 - Trends Final Report
- Baker and King 2010 - abstract
- Basu and Pick 1997
- Biggs 2000
- Bothwell 1985
- Bothwell 1989
- Bourassa and Cattaneo 1998
- Bowes, Smith, Hilton, Surt and Armitage 2007
- Carlson 1977
- Carpenter et al. 1998
- Chetelat and Pick 2006
- Chetelat, Morin and Hamilton 1999
- Clark et al. 2000
- Clark, Mueller and Mast 2000
- Cole 1973
- Dade 1998 dissertation
- Davis et al. 1996
- DePinto et al. 1976
- Dodds 2003
- Dodds 2006 - eutrophication & trophic state in rivers & streams
- Dodds 2007
- Dodds et al. 2008
- Dodds, Jones, Welch 1998
- Dodds & Oakes 2004 - reference nutrient conc.
- Dodds & Welch 2000 = establishing nutrient criteria
- Dodds et al 2008 - nitrogen cycling
- Dodds, Smith, Lohman 2002 - N and P relationships to benthinc algal biomass
- Dodds, Smith, and Zander 1997
- Downing, Watson, McCauley 2001
- Droop 1973
- Elwood et al 1981
- Elwood et al. 1981b
- Engel Apendix A
- ENSR 2001
- Env Sci and Tech 2003
- EPA 2008c
- EPA 2009 Report of the State EPA Nutrient Innovations Task Group
- EPA Redbook
- EPA River and Stream Peer Review Comments
- EPA Technical Support for Florida Numeric Criteria
- EvansWhite et al 2009
- Fillos and Swanson 1975
- Francoeur, Biggs, Smith, and Lowe 1999
- Freedman and Canale 1977
- Gade, David, dissertation
- Garver - Siloam Springs WWTP Info
- Giani, Bird, Prairie and Lawrence 2005
- Godwin, Arthur, Carrick 2009
- Greenwood and Rosemond 2005
- Grover 1989
- Haggard 2005
- Haggard 2010
- Haggard, Masoner, and Becker 2003
- Healey 1980 Monod
- Herlihy and Sifneos 2008 - abstract
- Hill & Fanta 2008
- Hill et al 2009
- Hill et al 2011
- Horner and Welch 1981
- Horner et al 1990
- Humphrey and Stephenson 1992
- Illinois River Probabilistic Final Report
- Justus et al 2009 - algal, macroinvertebrate, and fish assemblage indices
- Kevern and Ball 1965
- King 2009 - Final Report - development of nutrient criteria for wadeable streams
- King and Ball 1967
- King and Richardson 2003 - Everglades
- Knowlton and Jones 1990
- Lacoursie’re et al. 2011
- Lakes and Reservoirs in Nutrient Ecoregion IV
- Lakes and Reservoirs in Nutrient Ecoregion IX
- Lakes and Reservoirs in Nutrient Ecoregion XI
- Masoner, Hagggard, and Rea 2002
- Matlock et al. 1999
- Matlock et al. 1999b
- McDowell and Omernick 1979
- Meybeck 1982
- Millican, Back, and McFarland 2008
- Mitner 2010
- Mitner and Rankin 1998
- Montana Recommendations to Prevent Nuisance Algae Conditions
- Morgan et al 2006
- Mueller and Spahr 2006
- Murdock et al 2004
- Murdock et al 2011
- N-Steps
- Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual Rivers and Streams
- OCSC Report 2009
- Odum 1956
- Peeters and Gardeniers 1998
- Petersen and Femmer 2002
- Petersen et al 1998
- Pickup et al. 2003
- Porter et al. 2008
- Quality of Ozark Streams and Ground Water 1992-95
- Rebich and Demcheck 2007
- Rhee 1978
- Rier and Stevenson 2006
- Riley Needham 2002 - scenic rivers in Oklahoma
- Riseng, Wiley, and Stevenson 2004
- Rivers and Streams in Nutrient Ecoregion IV
- Rivers and Streams in Nutrient Ecoregion IX
- Rivers and Streams in Nutrient Ecoregion XI
- Robertson, Saad, and Wieben 2001
- Rohm et al. 2002
- Royer et al 2008 - chl-a
- Sheeder and Evans 2004
- Smith, Alexander, and Schwarz 2003
- Smith et al. 2001
- Smith, Tillman and Nekola 1999
- Smith and Tran 2010 - weight of evidence large rivers
- Soranno et al 2008
- Stevenson 2003 - Cahaba River
- Stevenson et al 2006
- Stevenson et al 2007 - abstract only
- Stevenson et al 2008
- Stevenson et al 2010
- Stevenson, Hill, Herlihy - Comparison Approach Mid-Atlantic Streams
- Stevenson, Pan, and Manoylov 2008
- Stevenson, Rier, Riseng and Schultz 2006
- Stockner and Shortreed 1976
- Suplee et al 2007 - abstract
- Suplee, Varghese and Cleland 2007
- USGS 2010 - 5026 indiana breakpoint analysis and assessment
- Taylor et al 2004
- Tennessee Plan for Nutrient Criteria
- Tett et al. 1978
- Tortorelli 2006
- Tortorelli and Pickup 2006
- Van Nieuwenhuyse and Jones 1996
- Wade et al. 2001
- Welch et al. 1988b
- Welch, Jacoby, Horner & Seeley 1988
- White et al. 1991
- Wong 1976
- Wong and Clark 1976
- Wong and Clark 1979
- Wong, Clark, and Painter 1976
- WP#476 - National Eutrophication Survey
- WP#593 - Report on Tenkiller Reservoir
- Zimmerman and Campo 2007
- Oklahoma Attorney General Files