Oklahoma House of Representatives
May 30, 2003

By MIKE W. RAY
House Media Division Director
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A thorough analysis of the quality and quantity of
Grand Lake o' the Cherokees is proposed by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Studies of the reservoir are mandated in Senate Bill 408, which
passed both the House and the Senate on Thursday and was transmitted
Friday to the Governor.
Grand Lake is a popular recreation site, especially for fishing and
boating, the authors of the measure noted. SB 408 was carried in the
House of Representatives by Rep. Joe Hutchison, D-Jay, and Majority
Floor Leader Larry Rice, D-Pryor. Sen. Kevin Easley, D-Broken Arrow, was
the principal author of the bill.
SB 408 would require state Secretary of the Environment Miles
Tolbert to "direct a comprehensive study" of the reservoir's watershed,
which sprawls across 10,000 square miles in northeastern Oklahoma,
northwestern Arkansas, southwestern Missouri and southeastern Kansas.
The purpose is "to identify factors that may impact the economic
growth and environmental beneficial use of the lake and its tributaries
for existing area residents and the expected population growth" in the
area.
The legislation specifies that the parameters of the study would
include:
* estimation of population densities and expected growth and
economic viability within the watershed;
* calculation of the quantities of contaminants that occur
naturally, such as sediment, along with "those that are introduced to
the watershed," which "may affect beneficial use of the water resource"
now or later.
This would include all point and non-point source discharges from
state, county, municipal, commercial and private sources, the bill
specifies.
For example, Grand Lake receives runoff rainwater that is tainted
by zinc and lead tailings from the Tar Creek area, and by phosphorous
from litter produced in poultry farming and processing in the region. In
addition, treated municipal wastewater is discharged into the watershed.
State agencies, too, would be required by SB 408 "to document their
rules and policies which impact the Grand Lake watershed."
Participants in the water quality study would be the Department of
Environmental Quality, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Scenic
Rivers Commission, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, the Commerce
Department, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the state
Department of Agriculture, Food and Agriculture, and the Grand River Dam
Authority (GRDA).
A separate provision in the legislation would direct the Water
Resources Board to develop a "clean lake" study of Grand. The duration
and cost of that research would depend on the scope. "Testing for metals
and pesticides is more expensive than testing for phosphorous,"
explained Derek Smithee, chief of water quality programs for the
Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
SB 408 further provides for production of a bathymetric map of
Grand Lake "for assessment of current capacity and the amount and
location of deposited sediment." Silt carried by water flowing into
reservoirs is a natural process.
The volumetric analysis would calculate the remaining capacity of
the lake, which was constructed by the GRDA and was placed in operation
in 1940. At normal pool elevation, Grand Lake encompasses approximately
46,000 surface acres, primarily in Delaware and Ottawa counties but also
in Mayes and Craig counties.
Officials with the Water Resources Board said preparation of the
bathymetric map would feature use of global positioning satellite
technology to make soundings needed to calculate the lake's depth at a
variety of locations, and comparison of those measurements with earlier
data.
SB 408 indicates the studies proposed for Grand Lake would be
financed, at least in part, with $125,000 appropriated in the
legislation.
-30-

Heaven or hell



While walking down the street one day, a female senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. Her soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to Heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the woman.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry but we have our rules." And with that, St. Peter escorts her to the elevator. and she goes down, down, down to Hell. The doors open, and she finds herself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a club and standing in front of it are all her friends and other politicians who had worked with her. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet her, hug her, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar. Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are having such a good time that, before she realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives her a big hug and waves while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up, and the door reopens on Heaven where St.Peter is waiting for her.

"Now it's time to visit Heaven." So 24 hours pass with the head of state joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before she realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by, and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now, choose the place where you want to spend eternity."

She reflects for a minute and then answers: "Well, I would never have said it, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell."

So Saint Peter escorts her to the elevator, and she goes down, down, down to Hell. Now, the doors of the elevator open, and she is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. She sees all her friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags.

And it's hot, hot, hot. Sweltering hot. Hot and miserable. The Devil comes over to her and lays his arm on her neck.

"I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here, and there was a golf course and club, and we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland full of garbage, and my friends look miserable."

The Devil looks at her, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning. . . today you voted for us."