November 11, 1998   The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, Omak WA 98841 On-line Edition
The Okanogan River
Okanogan considered for federal project

By BILL STEVENSON
     The Okanogan River is among four water bodies that could be chosen for a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency project.
     Two out of six bodies of water are to be studied to determine the total maximum daily load to withstand pollution.
     "It's on our list and we are narrowing it down," said Julie Hagensen of EPA. "People should know we are considering it."
     EPA selected one project, Lake Steilacoom, to find the daily load of pollutants a body of water can stand before violating EPA standards, said Hagensen.
     Lake Steilacoom contains copper and phosphorous from agricultural spraying around the lake, located near Tacoma.
     The decision to choose the Okanogan River will be based on how much of a conservation effort is being done on the river.
     "If we feel the area is making progress with local conservation districts and the Department of Ecology, it is less likely the EPA will come in and create a total maximum daily load," said Hagensen.
     Until the final decision is made, information will be gathered to help determine the need for such a study.
     Numerous governmental agencies have worked together to create an Okanogan Watershed Plan that could meet the requirements by the EPA to be taken off the list, according to Hagensen.

Draft watershed plan due out in February

By BILL STEVENSON
     A draft of the Okanogan Watershed Plan is on course and will be ready by February, says Okanogan Conservation District manager Craig Nelson.
     The comprehensive plan on how to improve water quality in the Okanogan River Watershed has been an ongoing project for two years and draws on the resources of numerous federal, state and local agencies, said Nelson.
     Okanogan County and the conservation district received a pair of grants for roughly $500,000 to study and create the plan. Funding came from the state Department of Ecology.
     After review of the draft, public comments will be taken and a final plan will be presented to the county commissioners for approval. The plan then goes to the DOE to insure compliance with state laws and regulations before it can be put into action, said Nelson.
     The public may comment on the plan for 30 days after release, with comments applied to create the final draft. The final plan is expected in May 1999, said Nelson.
     Two committees created the plan.
     Members of the technical committee included representatives from agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, state Department of Natural Resources, DOE, irrigation districts, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and fish and wildlife agencies at the state and federal levels.
     The technical committee focuses on what good water quality is and how to improve on poor water quality within the Okanogan River and its tributaries.
     From their research, they make recommendations to the stakeholders' committee.
     The stakeholders' committee sets policies for which methods to use to improve water quality in areas such as water temperature, sediment pollution and fecal coliform bacteria.
     Representatives on the stakeholders' committee come from government agencies included in the technical committee, the Colville Confederated Tribes and local residents.
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