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State of Oklahoma - Oklahoma Water Resources Board

158th Committee Meeting
Oct. 28-30, 2008
Catoosa, Okla.

STATE WATER PLAN ACTIVITIES

The Oklahoma Legislature, during special session in June 2006, appropriated funds to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) for an update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan, the state’s long-range water use and management strategy.  The 5-year study process implemented by the OWRB to complete the water plan update involves a 2-prong, parallel initiative leading to implementation:  1) Policy development and public participation; and 2) Technical and engineering studies and research. 

Policy Development and Public Participation

The Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute was selected to facilitate a 5-phase public participation and policy development process.  The last of 42 Local Input Meetings was held in November 2007. The meetings, which began in April 2007, were well-attended and drew a wide variety of comments on Oklahoma’s priority water issues and problems as well as suggestions on how the Water Plan should address them. 

Regional input meetings, the second phase of the Water Plan’s public participation process, were initiated and will be completed this year in each of the 11 Councils of Oklahoma Governments regions. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure that the full range of Oklahoma’s water issues--and eventual policy recommendations--are identified for inclusion in the final statewide plan. Regional teams, consisting of 30 representatives nominated by the public, are reviewing findings from the listening sessions, validating regional issues and concerns, and suggesting priorities for further consideration in the planning process. The regional meetings are open to the public.

Technical & Engineering Studies and Research

Supporting the Water Plan are technical and engineering assessments currently performed primarily by Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc. (CDM), the lead engineering firm contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through cooperative agreements with the OWRB.  These agreements are currently being funded under three separate Corps study authorities—Planning Assistance to the States Program, the Southeast Oklahoma Water Supply Study, and the Washita Basin Watershed Management Study, as well as research studies accomplished by various other state and federal agencies and universities. 

As a part of a Planning Assistance to States cost share agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers, a Programmatic Work Plan was developed in May 2008 that describes the major elements, timing and sequencing associated with meeting the OWRB’s objectives for the Water Plan.  Initial projects under the technical studies arm of the Water Plan include a water infrastructure pilot mapping project, development of a public water providers survey, commencement of statewide supply and demand analysis, and initial water allocation modeling in selected areas of the state.   An important objective of the Water Plan is to gather information on the condition and future reliability of public water systems, down to the individual water provider level. 

In September 2007, the OWRB approved an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation to fund a portion of water plan related projects, including modernization of the OWRB database management system.

Also of interest is Section 5119 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007 which authorized $6,500,000 at a nonfederal 25% cost share for study efforts on the OCWP.  OWRB Executive Director Duane Smith is working with Oklahoma’s Congressional Delegation to obtain funding under this authorization and the COE/Headquarters is developing implementation guidance for this section.

CLIMATE

Widespread rains this year have resulted in a large surplus of moisture, and associated flooding problems, throughout much of the North Central and North Eastern parts of Oklahoma.                                                                      

For the current year (since January 1, 2007),  Oklahoma’s Northeast climate division has received 51.49 inches of precipitation, 147 percent of normal rainfall (a surplus of 16.47 inches). The adjacent North Central region is at 126 percent (34.71 inches). The Panhandle region, however, remains slightly drier than normal at 92 percent of normal precipitation—17.4 inches and a deficit of 1.52 inches.

WATER RESOURCE STUDIES

Surface Water
  • An updated hydrologic investigation for the Blue River Stream System is complete and under review.  Also, calculations of stream water available for appropriation have been updated for the Blue River, Muddy Boggy Creek, Mud Creek, and Walnut Bayou Stream Systems.
  • Stream water allocation models have been completed for the Blue River and Muddy Boggy Creek Stream Systems.  This work was funding under the Arbuckle Simpson Hydrology Study.  The allocation models were developed by AMEC Earth & Environment using the company’s Central Resource Allocation Model (CRAM model).  These models will be used to evaluate the groundwater withdrawal effects on stream flow and existing stream water rights.  The models will also be used to evaluate potential interference of new stream water applications on existing stream water rights.
  • A surface water supply and conveyance study for the City of Bartlesville in northeastern Oklahoma was completed under authority of the Corps Planning Assistance to States (PAS) Program.  The study analyzed additional water supply options from Hulah, Copan and Kaw Lakes, as well as evaluated  water conservation measures that could be implemented upstream of Hulah and Copan watersheds.  A PAS study was also completed on alternative water supply strategies for Bristow and surrounding areas. The Town of Bristow, located in Creek County, Oklahoma, currently relies on groundwater as its sole source of water supply. The study evaluated several existing systems in Creek and Okfuskee Counties, projected future water needs for a 50-year planning horizon, and developed water supply alternatives and preliminary cost estimates.
Groundwater
  • The Arbuckle Simpson Hydrology Study is in its final year and will be completed by the end of the second quarter of State FY2009.  The groundwater flow model for the aquifer is completed and the U.S. Geological Survey is conducting modeling simulations, requested by the State of Oklahoma, to evaluate the effects of different pumping scenarios on the aquifer. The IFIM studies on the Blue River and Pennington Creek have been completed by Oklahoma State University and are being reviewed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board staff and the Surface Water Subcommittee of the Arbuckle-Simpson Technical Peer Review Team.  Recommendations for an in-stream flow for these two streams will be made and will be incorporated into the groundwater flow model and stream water allocation model. Public meetings will be scheduled for this fall and winter to present the results of the study and modeling efforts to the various stakeholders.  Reports are in the process of being written by the different cooperators and OWRB staff and will be made available to the public as soon as they have been reviewed and finalized.

WATER QUALITY

The 2007 Triennial Revisions to the Oklahoma Water Quality Standards and implementation rules were approved by EPA in November 2007.  The approved revision includes phosphorus criteria for lakes Eucha and Spavinaw. The current approved Oklahoma Water Quality Standards can be accessed at: www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/wqslibrary/ok/ok_6_chap45.pdf

The Oklahoma Water Quality Standards and implementation rules were revised in 2008. Site-specific criteria for cadmium, silver and lead applicable to the discharge for the City of Poteau were adopted.  The new criteria are based upon a water effects ratio study that evaluates the toxicity of a given metal based upon local conditions compared to the metal’s toxicity in laboratory water.  Site-specific criteria for dissolved solids in Nine Mile Creek near the City of Lawton were adopted. Also adopted were revisions to Appendix A promulgating the “Public and Private Water Supply” use for lakes that have public water supply intakes. Lakes routinely monitored by the OWRB that were previously not included in the water quality standards have been added with their default uses. These revisions are pending review by EPA Region VI.  The most recent revision of the Oklahoma Water Quality Standards pending EPA approval can be found at: www.owrb.ok.gov/util/rules/pdf_rul/2008_adopted/Chap45_2008.pdf

Development of most feasible method to restore dissolved oxygen benificial use to Lake Wister is underway in conjunction with the Poteau Valley Improvement Authority (PVIA) and Tulsa District Corps of Engineers (COE). Preliminary study results point toward in-lake activities to accomplish this goal.  The Environmental Assessnment for this recommnded activity should be completed by March 2009.  Project completion opens the door for implementation and ultimately restoration of the beneficial use impaired by low dissolved oxygen in Lake Wister.

  • In response to recent ecological impacts to aquatic life resulting from golden algae blooms and other toxic-producing algae, OWRB staff are working with various state and federal agencies to monitor for this organism.
  • Shoreline erosion control and revegetation work continues at Lake Carl Blackwell, Lake Thunderbird, Lake Draper, Grand Lake, and Hudson Lake. By demonstrating innovative ways to combat erosion and suspended sediment, the OWRB seeks to educate lake managers on the habitat-friendly benefits of establishing aquatic plants to improve water quality and the health of our state’s aquatic communities.
  • Additional ongoing OWRB water quality projects include:
    • Probabalistic biological monitoring to evaluate Water Quality Standards compliance throughout Oklahoma;
    • Confirmatory stream and reservoir monitoring to confirm or refute an existing Standards impairment decision prior to total maximum daily load (TMDL) completion; and
    • The OWRB, in conjunction with the Grand River Dam Authority and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, is actively reintroducing native aquatic vegetation in Grand Lake.

BENEFICIAL USE MONITORING PROGRAM

The OWRB’s Water Quality Division continues to monitor water quality conditions and trends statewide through the Beneficial Use Monitoring Program (BUMP) and Oklahoma Water Watch (OWW) Volunteer Monitoring Program. Annual BUMP reports are available on the Board’s Web site at www.owrb.ok.gov and on CD. The BUMP facilitates science-based decision-making concerning impaired waters. In tandem with Oklahoma’s Water Quality Standards and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, the BUMP has become a cornerstone of state water quality management.

GOVERNOR’S WATER CONFERENCE & SYMPOSIUM

On October 28-30, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute are co-hosting the 29th Annual Governor’s Water Conference and Water Symposium in Midwest City at the Sheraton-Reed Conference Center. This year’s theme is “The Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan: Solutions for Oklahoma.” For more information, visit the Oklahoma Water Resources Board’s website at www.owrb.ok.gov. 

WATER RESOURCES FINANCING

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board administers the State Financial Assistance Program (FAP), backed by the Statewide Water Development Revolving Fund, which awards loans and grants for the construction and improvement of water and sewer facilities. In all, through the OWRB’s five loan and grant programs, almost $1.8 billion in financing has been provided for water and sewer projects in Oklahoma with a total estimated savings of more than $562 million to Oklahoma communities.

The Water Board’s Bond Loan Program is the highest rated, uninsured state bond program in Oklahoma. In turn, this enables the OWRB to provide an extremely competitive interest rate on loans for community drinking water projects, leading to even more savings for citizens who rely so much upon dependable water supply. To date, the Board’s Bond Loan Program—which provides financing from proceeds of revenue bonds to eligible communities for sewer and water improvements and refinancing—has approved 321 bond loans totaling almost $630 million throughout Oklahoma. The emergency grant program, funded by interest earnings on the Revolving Fund, has approved 540 grants for almost $32 million. These grants have stimulated many millions of dollars more in local water/wastewater projects.

The Board also provides loans through the Clean Water (CWSRF) and Drinking Water Construction Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Programs for various wastewater and water treatment/distribution projects, respectively, which are often required to bring borrowers into compliance with EPA requirements. The CWSRF Loan Program, which provides funds for the construction of new wastewater facilities or the replacement or rehabilitation of existing facilities, has approved 185 loans for almost $679 million. The DWSRF, a cooperative program administered jointly by the OWRB and Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, was created to assist municipalities and rural water districts in constructing drinking water treatment and distribution system improvements required to comply with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The program has approved 77 loans for more than $392 million in the state.

The Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant program is operated by the Board in a manner very similar to its emergency grant program. REAP gives priority to communities with populations less than 1,500 and rural water districts with less than 450 household taps. The Board has approved 497 REAP grants totaling about $42.6 million in Oklahoma.

THE 2008 OKLAHOMA LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The 2008 state legislative session saw passage of a bill that allowed the OWRB to raise water use permit administration fees and strengthen the agency’s water rights program. Legislation also passed directing the OWRB to oversee study and implementation of feasible aquifer recharge pilot projects in the state. A separate piece of legislation directed the OWRB to establish a marginal-quality water technical work group to identify water needs that could be met by marginal-quality water supplies and to identify sources of supplies and opportunities for potential development. 

However, the OWRB was unsuccessful in its legislative request to remove the existing cap on Gross Production Tax revenues, which would have diverted spillover funding currently going to the General Revenue Fund to the OWRB, which would in turn have provided additional funding to update the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan and for the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Program. Another bill that failed would have established a state water portal system website at the OWRB that would serve as the point of access to state/federal government water-related services and information.

Prepared by: Bob Sandbo, Water Rights Permitting Section Head

www.owrb.ok.gov

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