The Emergency Drought Commission met on Tuesday and voted on several motions regarding the Emergency Drought Cost-Share Program. The deadline for practices related to water well drilling, pipeline, pumping plant and water facilities has been extended to December 31, 2024. In a separate motion, the Emergency Drought Commission voted to maintain the initial June 30 deadline for …
Category: Water
Major dredging project underway on Oklahoma River in OKC
The growth of sediment in the Oklahoma River where it flows through Oklahoma City is the target of a major dredging operation. City workers have started the process of removing dirt and sediment build-up to keep the river in peak operation, according to a report by the city’s Public Works Department. “Our river boats …
Energy quick reads
** Eastern seaboard ports are preparing to accept shipments of goods being rerouted from the Port of Baltimore following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning. Port officials and private-sector distributors told The Hill that plans to divert cargo shipments are in the works due to the suspension of vessel traffic …
Baltimore bridge collapse brings back memories of Oklahoma’s 2002 I-40 bridge collapse
The tragic tanker collision that brought down the Baltimore, Maryland bridge and perhaps claimed six lives was a stark reminder of a similar incident that occurred 22 years ago in eastern Oklahoma. However, instead of half a dozen lives lost, 14 people were killed when a barge hit the I-40 bridge over the Arkansas …
Hydro project developer has ties to China
By Mike W. Ray Southwest Ledger More is being learned about a Texas company whose plans to develop a hydroelectric power plant using water from the Kiamichi River in southeast Oklahoma were temporarily rejected last week. The Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation (SEOPC) is owned and managed by individuals who have no connections whatsoever to Oklahoma. …
Kiamichi River hydropower project founders
By Mike W. Ray Southwest Ledger An out-of-state company’s plan to build a hydropower plant on an eastern Oklahoma river in order to generate electricity for Texas foundered on the shoals of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Johann Tse of Dallas, Texas, was notified March 21 by a FERC official that Southeast Oklahoma …
Supreme Court to decide water fight over Rio Grande river
Texas and New Mexico are in a water fight—with the federal government and their case was heard this week by the U.S. Supreme Court. At the heart of the matter is Rio Grande Compact of 1938 reached between the two states in an agreement over how to divide the wataer from the Rio Grande …
Utilities impersonator reported in OKC
The Oklahoma City Utilities Department has been made aware that a person impersonating an Oklahoma City Utilities worker is knocking on doors in a residential neighborhood in an attempt to get into homes. The city issued an alert on Friday saying reports of the impersonator have been in Oklahoma City’s Chisholm Crossing neighborhood. Per reports, …
Arkansas River levee fund heads to Oklahoma Senate
Legislation creating a revolving fund for an Army Corps of Engineers project to improve the Arkansas River Levees has been passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, presented House Bill 3288, which he co-authored with newly elected Speaker-Designate Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. The bill creates the Arkansas River Levee Projects Revolving …
Red cedar tree infestation adds to wildfire dangers in Oklahoma
Fourteen years after former Oklahoma City Rep. Richard Morrissette convinced the legislature that the state’s red cedar tree infestation was becoming a serious fire and water issue, it remains so. Back in 2010, Morrissette’s work led to the Eastern Redcedar Initiative Act signed into law by Gov. Brad Henry. His continued efforts in succeeding …