Arkansas surprises Oklahoma with news of dirty water designation

DARDANELLE, Ark. (AP) _ Arkansas officials say two Oklahoma rivers will be designated dirty waterways next year. <br/><br/>Friday's announcement about the Arkansas and Poteau rivers came during a metting

Saturday, September 25th 2004, 6:01 pm

By: News On 6

DARDANELLE, Ark. (AP) _ Arkansas officials say two Oklahoma rivers will be designated dirty waterways next year.

Friday's announcement about the Arkansas and Poteau rivers came during a metting of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Arkansas River Compact Commission.

Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Director Marcus Devine says a recent analysis shows that both rivers violate Arkansas' water standards near the state line.

He says Arkansas will tell the Environmental Protection Agency next year that the streams flowing from Oklahoma into Arkansas are impaired.

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission administrator Ed Fite says Arkansas should have told Oklahoma about the decision before yesterday's meeting.