Save the Illinois River, Inc.
24369 E 757 Rd.
Tahlequah, OK 74464-1949
(918) 284-9440

[Archived] Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

| Environment | January 10, 2006

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is accepting public comment on a proposed rule change regarding land application of sewage sludge, or biosolids.


The rule would prohibit land application of biosolids in the watershed of an outstanding resource water. This rule would prohibit land application of sewage sludge in the Illinois River watershed as well as watersheds of other scenic rivers in Oklahoma.


The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission and Save the Illinois River, Inc. (STIR) sought the rule change. Written comments should be submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality by January 10, 2006.


IT IS SUGGESTED THAT COMMENTS BE SUBMITTED BY JANUARY 6, 2006 IN ORDER TO BE THOROUGHLY CONSIDERED BY STAFF PRIOR TO A JANUARY 10 HEARING.


A public hearing on the proposed rule change will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006 at the ODEQ office, Room 101, 707 North Robinson, Oklahoma City, OK. The Environmental Quality Board will consider the rule at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 24, 2006 at the same location.


Discussion: The Tahlequah Public Works Authority previously land-applied sewage sludge in the Illinois River basin. However, this practice was strongly discouraged by ODEQ and has been discontinued. Instead, the sludge was taken to a landfill.


The land application of industrial sludge in a scenic river basin has been disallowed by ODEQ for some time.


Written comments should be mailed to Donald D. Maisch, ODEQ Water Quality Division, 707 N. Robinson, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.


Email: don.maisch@deq.state.ok.us


Telephone (405) 702-7189, fax (405) 702-7199.