DEQ: Cities must reduce pollution into Lake Thunderbird Moore, Norman and Oklahoma City must reduce sediment and fertilizer pollution by 35 percent By Sarah Terry-Cobo Oklahoma City energy reporter; 405-278-2849; sarah.terry-cobo@journalrecord; @JRSarahTC Posted: 10:15 PM Tuesday, July 23, 2013 Andrew Stoddard, a consultant working with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality explains the effects of a Lake Thunderbird water quality study at the agency on July 23. Andrew Stoddard, a consultant working with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality explains the effects of a Lake Thunderbird water quality study at the agency on Tuesday. (Photo by Brent Fuchs) OKLAHOMA CITY – Three metro cities must reduce pollution flowing into Lake Thunderbird, but it will take years to develop a plan. That could mean changes to construction permits the state Department of Environmental Quality issues to projects developing more than 5 acres. The reservoir is on the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s list of impaired water bodies, and the cities must reduce the pollution or face fines required by the Clean Water Act. The DEQ completed a draft study on pollution levels of the Lake Thunderbird watershed, the first step in cleaning up the reservoir. According to the study, Moore, Norman and Oklahoma City must reduce sediment and fertilizer pollution by 35 percent. The reservoir is a source of drinking water for Norman, but pollution from algae blooms causes the water to have a funny smell. The high levels of fertilizer and sediment pollution also make it difficult and costly for the city of Norman to treat the water for drinking purposes. In addition, the lake has low oxygen levels, due to algae blooms, so it can’t support fish and other aquatic life well. On Tuesday, Mark Derichsweiler, an engineering manager with the agency, answered questions at a technical meeting on how cities can develop what he informally referred to as a pollution budget. Each municipality can write its own plan of how to reduce fertilizer and sediment runoff. But the DEQ also can change construction permits to achieve the goal. Urban development is one of the main reasons Lake Thunderbird’s waters are red and murky. Erosion from construction sites, as well as from paved surfaces in developed areas, leads to high levels of dirt flowing into the watershed. High winds keep the lake churned, giving it a muddy appearance. Derichsweiler told the audience several ways to reduce pollution in the 256-square-mile watershed, including tightening construction permits and limiting fertilizer used after a construction site is developed. “There is the possibility the local municipalities can have enhanced measures for local construction site programs,” he said. The DEQ will review its storm water pollution prevention plans, including how much Moore, Norman and Oklahoma City are each allowed to discharge. Derichsweiler said there haven’t been numerical limits established for changes to the permits. Cities must establish a set of best practices, which DEQ will account for when it finalizes its plan. In Norman, the city has taken several proactive measures to reduce pollution flowing into the watershed. The city adopted a fertilizer ordinance in March, requiring homeowners to get a soil test before spraying phosphorus chemicals on their yards. In addition, the city has an ordinance establishing a vegetative buffer zone between development and flood plains. Ken Komiske, director of the utilities division in Norman, said the city has worked for years on a storm-water master plan to reduce erosion and prevent pollution. “We know we’re going to have to do something with Lake Thunderbird,” he said. “In Norman, Midwest City and Del City, we are drinking it. So it’s a logical extension to protect this viable source of water.” Raymond Melton, an environmental protection manager with the storm-water quality division of the Oklahoma City’s Public Works Department, said the city is examining its options. One thing city officials are considering is planting rain gardens in the southeast portion of the state. Increasing vegetation and reducing paved surfaces helps filter fertilizers and other chemicals, as well as reduces sediment. “We will work with our planning department in implementing some of those things,” he said. “We have discussed it, but we haven’t reached a consensus yet. Once the study is complete, we’ll have a better idea of what to do next.” The public comment period for the study ends Aug. 1. Once the DEQ has received public input, it will submit a final report to the EPA. Derichsweiler said the federal agency could take up to three months to approve the study, but there is no official timeline. Once the EPA approves the study, municipalities have two years to develop a plan and one year to implement it.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 12:46:10 +0000
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