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Deadline set for public comments on proposed water quality changes Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - State officials have set a July 5 deadline for written comments on proposed amendments to state water quality standards, including the possible damming of Lee Creek in Northwest Arkansas. Randy Young, director of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, announced the deadline Wednesday after a public hearing on the proposed changes. Just one person spoke during the hearing. Connie Burks of Harrison said she wished the regulations specified whether Arkansas rules were more stringent than federal water quality standards. Environmentalists and canoeing enthusiasts concerned about Lee Creek are closely monitoring the proposed amendments because of the possible damming of Lee Creek. The waterway, along with several other streams in the state, is designated an extraordinary resource waterway. The designation provides extra protections because of their quality. To meet public demands for drinking water, a dam has been proposed on Lee Creek in Crawford County. Environmentalists are concerned that placing a dam on the creek would remove the creek from its status as an extraordinary resource water. "The issue is the designation of the ERW is a free-flowing stream. Once you change it from a free-flowing stream you change that designation," said Steven Drown, acting chief of the state Department of Environmental Quality's water division. "The way the clean water act is written the designated use has to be maintained has to be protected," Drown said. "The question is, if you build the dam, is that designated use being maintained and protected?" The state reviews state water quality standards every three years and public input is sought before any changes are made, Drown said. After the public comment period, legislative input is also considered, he said. Most of the proposed amendments are minor, either to change definitions or terms, he said. One such amendment would change the name of the "Grass Pickerel" a fish found in some Arkansas streams and lakes, to "Redfin Pickerel." The change was recommended after fisheries biologists changed the name of the species of fish, he said. |
