Commission tables action on proposed river management rules

Commission tables action on proposed river management rules <br><br>TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission has decided to postpone until its February meeting action on a controversial

Wednesday, January 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Commission tables action on proposed river management rules

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission has decided to postpone until its February meeting action on a controversial set of proposed river management rules. The commission was set to discuss and vote on 13 land management issues Tuesday, but voted instead to table any action.

Commissioners then allowed comment from the public, some 200 of whom crowded a meeting room near the banks of the Illinois River. Most of those attending wore yellow banners on their chests saying, "Ed Fite's Right, Act on the plan" or "Less Talk, More Action."

Fite, the commission's administrator, has resigned but is being encouraged by supporters to remain. "I cannot bear to do nothing and to witness the destruction of the Illinois River basin and Lake Tenkiller, and perhaps the OSRC itself, simply because the commission can't work together and can't meet its mandated duties," Fite read from a prepared statement. Fite said he would stay on as administrator if the commission "recognizes its duties under the law and to the citizens of Oklahoma." He guided the development of the scenic river plan.

The commission approved a river management plan 13 months ago that deals with three main issues on the river -- water quality, recreation and corridor values. It outlines ways to improve the Illinois River based on those three issues. Those suggestions would have implemented the Illinois River management plan. Commissioner Ferril Medford said he didn't have enough information to vote on the land management issues. Commission member Ed Brocksmith of Tahlequah, who had encouraged public attendance at the Tuesday meeting, said "it's either time to fish or cut bait." The audience applauded.

Brocksmith said previously that Fite's resignation was brought on because of frustration in fighting the "dirty water politics" of certain legislators opposed to Fite's strong stand on protecting the environment. "I believe it is due to the fact that Ed and previous commission members have been very aggressive in protecting the Illinois River, Flint Creek and Baron Fork Creek," Brocksmith said.

There are those who want to stop all outside public use of the streams and end the dumping of treated sewage and agricultural runoff into streams that feed into the river. Others have said the river commission should be abolished. They have been accused of wanting to turn the streams into a polluted waterway in the interest of profits.

The commission was created by the Legislature and has been funded by lawmakers since 1977. The commission includes three members appointed by the governor, seven by the Legislature and five elected by "stakeholders," or voters who reside within 660 feet of both sides of the streams. Last year a proposal failed in the state Legislature to disband the commission and turn its duties over to the state Department of Environmental Quality