Stakeholder webinar on the Illinois River Watershed

 

A webinar showing the ongoing work by Oklahoma to improve high phosphorus levels in the state’s Illinois River caused largely because of chicken farming in eastern Oklahoma will be held this week.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board will present the first of three webinars on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

“This webinar will inform stakeholders and interested parties about the ongoing work by OWRB staff to revise the total phosphorous criterion for the protection of the aesthetics beneficial use in the Illinois River Watershed,” stated Monty Porter, Assistant Chief of the Water Quality Programs Division in making the announcement.

His announcement indicated there will be a text-based Q and A during the webinar where the public will have the opportunity to interact with staff.

It was in 2006 when the Water Resources Board adopted phosphorus criteria following an environmental, political and legal fight over elevated concentrations in the Illinois River. The legal actions blamed the growing operations of so-called chicken-farms in eastern Oklahoma where the chicken waste was spread as fertilizer in farm fields. As a result, environmentalists contended the waste was polluting the river.

 

The webinar will be the first of a 3-part series. It will begin at 7 p.m. and those who wish to be a part of it can click the following link to join it.

https://zoom.us/j/98292994295?pwd=NWJwdVN0d2tIblZUTG9XNWxPU1N0UT09

Passcode: 752725

Or iPhone one-tap:+13462487799,,98292994295#  or +16699006833,,98292994295#

Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592

Webinar ID: 982 9299 4295