Odwc Response

[DaddyO]

Guys, I got this response from the OWDC regarding the Lower Illinois River.

Dear Mr. Curtis,

Thank you so much for your concern for the lower Illinois River. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) is very proud of the fishery and the economical benefits the trout stream provides. It has been a year round trout fishery since 1965 providing anglers a unique opportunity to catch a specie of fish otherwise not available in this part of the state. The trout stocked in this stream, for the most part, are provided as mitigation for the loss of the warm water fishery and other project impacts created by the construction of the dam and associated facilities. Unfortunately, congress never had the foresight to appropriate water for the continuation and support of the stream. There has been numerous studies, one even before completion of the dam, that recommend a minimum flow to sustain the fishery and downstream water quality. In spite of these studies, no water has ever been provided for this fishery. As you can imagine, management of a fishery without water is a challenge.

The economic impact of the stream is a concern as well. ODWC contracted with Oklahoma State University to assess the economic benefit of the trout stream to the local economy. It was estimated that the stream is responsible for bringing upwards of $4 million to the county. Some say that the City of Gore is the Trout Capital of Oklahoma. Loss of this stream as a year round fishery would have substantial detrimental effects on the residents of Sequoyah county.

Several things have lead to additional complications in managing the trout stream. This year’s drought certainly has not helped the situation by intensifying evaporation and not replenishing water to the lake to offset hydropower release and waters released to help maintain stream water conditions. Compounding things is the Corps of Engineer’s (COE) dam maintenance which has resulted in stopping most of the leakage that historically helped to support the fishery. ODWC has been loaned water to use as a minimum flow by a corporation for the last 15 years. That water is not enough to support the stream on a year round basis. We have currently depleted that volume of water and now must rely solely on sporadic Southwest Power generation to provide any water for the stream until which time the lake is once again filled. Future use of the borrowed water is now in jeopardy as other municipalities are being granted use of this water. Perhaps the largest hurdle is that all of the storage of water in the lake is permitted for other uses. To provide water for the trout stream water has to be taken away form someone else, loaned to ODWC, or lake elevations have to be raised providing additional storage for water that could be used for the stream.

Unfortunately the stocking program remains in limbo. ODWC will resume stocking as soon as water quality conditions improve to a level where trout are likely to survive and thrive. Efforts have been made to work with constituents, political representatives, state, federal, and other entities to develop a solution to the problem. No long term solution has been reached. We are continuing to negotiate with all parties involved to reach a satisfactory resolution. It will likely take congressional authorization to finally resolve the problem by authorizing the COE to make releases to support downstream water quality. Many trout anglers have taken it upon themselves to let there congressional delegation know of their concerns and their desire to see the proliferation of the trout stream continue. Their efforts have helped to bring this issue to the forefront. Hopefully through their efforts and our continued negotiations with federal and state authorities we can find a solution that will fulfill the long term needs of the stream. We are hoping for a speedy solution to a long term problem.

Thank you again for your interest and support.

Sincerely, Jim Burroughs

Regional Fisheries Supervisor

Jim Burroughs

E.C. Region Fisheries Supervisor

9097 N. 34th St. W.

Porter, OK. 74454

918/683-1031

[Justin Spencer]

Get Native Americans behind this, don't they have some pull in Oklahoma?

[jwpage]

Thanks for posting that insightful response. I too received a response from Representative Sullivan. He basically let me know that he was working with Trout Unlimited and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and SWPA to resolve the issue.