EPA regional chief optimistic about Oklahoma-Arkansas dispute

Tuesday, January 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ The dispute between Oklahoma and Arkansas over water-quality standards may be resolvable, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's regional administrator.

Gregg Cooke, administrator of EPA's Region 6 at Dallas, met along with staff members Monday at Dallas with two officials from Arkansas _ Randy Young, director of the state's Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and Marcus Devine, director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

A similar meeting was held in December with Oklahoma officials, after Arkansas asked the EPA in November to reject standards adopted by Oklahoma for phosphorus in waters that flow from northwest Arkansas into northeastern Oklahoma.

Arkansas officials argue that standards are unachievable under any circumstances. ADEQ spokesman Doug Szenher said in November that Oklahoma's proposed phosphorus levels are ``based on a completely pristine watershed, not one where there is extensive development'' as in northwestern Arkansas, where there are many poultry farmers.

But Cooke remained optimistic after Monday's meeting.

``It seems to me there are some things Oklahoma and Arkansas are saying that might be the basis for a potential conclusion,'' Cooke said. ``We're a ways from that, but we think it can be done.''

EPA officials are likely to meet jointly next month with representatives of the two states. Officials of both states said Monday they'd be willing to meet with the EPA again, and Young mentioned early February as a possible time.

Until late fall, the two states had been negotiating since June over the best way to reduce phosphorous levels in six scenic rivers that flow from Arkansas into Oklahoma.

Oklahoma has enacted a phosphorous standard of 0.037 milligrams per liter for the scenic rivers, a limit Arkansas says will hurt economic development in its growing northwest region.

Since the standards were submitted to the EPA, Oklahoma has asked Arkansas to resume discussions, and Arkansas officials have shown a willingness to listen. Arkansas' poultry industry has encouraged more discussions between the states.

Young said Monday he sensed a confidence among the EPA staff members that the two states can resolve their differences.

``They commented to Marcus and I that they had listened to Oklahoma and listened to us and didn't think we sound too far apart,'' Young said. ``I think there's still a good possibility of working this out.''