Creek pollution fight spurs payment of owners nearby
Creek pollution fight in state spurs payment of owners nearby
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By John David Sutter
Published: June 11, 2008
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board voted Tuesday to fight water pollution by helping to pay landowners near Tulsa to stop using land that buffers two troubled creeks.
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What is being done?
Speaking after the meeting, the board's executive director, Duane Smith, said Oklahoma needs to up its efforts to combat water pollution in light of a state Department of Environmental Quality report that found all but five of the state's water bodies are polluted beyond federal standards.
He said water monitoring needs to be doubled by the state Legislature — from $1 million per year to $2 million.
Voluntary programs like the one passed Tuesday need to be expanded, Smith said, adding that cities will have to foot much of the bill for tracking down pollution from agriculture and general land use practices, which aren't permitted by the state.
The state loan to Tulsa is for $1.25 million, and matching funds will be sought from the federal government.
Related Topics:
Environmental Protection, Nature and the Environment

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