Lir Water Response Form Senator Coburn

[DaddyO]

The following response was shared by Scott Hood on the Tulsa Fly Fishers facebook page:

Just recieved this letter/e-mail from Senator Tom Coburn... thought you'd all like to read it.

November 6, 2012

Mr. Scott Hood

9 Royal Dublin Ln

Broken Arrow, OK 74011-1127

Dear Mr. Hood,

Thank you for your letter expressing your concern about water needs for trout in Oklahoma. I am happy to discuss this issue with you further and sincerely apologize for the delay in responding.

First, I apologize that I have been unable to meet with you personally, but I am pleased you were able to meet with my field representative, Connie Pearson, and attend my town hall meeting in Tulsa. Also, I appreciate the insight you offered at the meeting and agree that the end of fishing in the lower Illinois River would be a tragedy. Regarding carrying the message directly to Senator Inhofe, my staff and Senator Inhofe’s office work in close contact on many issues like this.

As you may know, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has taken steps to improve the deteriorating water quality of the lower Illinois River, and the subsequent effects on the trout population in the river.

You will be happy to know that the Corps has announced construction measures to protect the trout fishery below Tenkiller Lake. Included in these measures are a special low flow pipe from an existing surge tank located at the dam and installation of a supersaturated dissolved oxygen system below the dam. In the interim, these steps, along with cooperative measures by the Southwestern Power Administration and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), will help alleviate the current crisis. The three organizations will continue to search for a permanent solution to sustain of the downstream fishery.

Also, as there is no permanent storage in Tenkiller Lake allocated for the fishery, storage for releases by ODWC is being donated by Sequoyah County Water Association, Tenkiller Utilities Authority and Lake Region Electric Development. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board has been actively involved by providing temporary water rights to ODWC for the donated water.

These actions are merely the first steps in a long process. I assure you I am committed to achieving a permanent solution to this issue for the benefit of all Oklahomans. I will continue to monitor this and will ensure that I provide updates as they become available.

Thank you again for writing. Best wishes.

Sincerely,

November 6, 2012

Tom A. Coburn, M.D.

United States Senator

TC: bpk

[dgames]

This is awesome. Hats off to Scott Hood, he has really worked hard on getting a long term solution for the LI.

[wanabeflyer]

That is really good news. I, as a fairly new fly fisherman, after not haveing any luck the last couple of times out had just about given up on fly fishing. This news gives me the encouragement to continue on.

Morton