Residents along the Blue River fight to place it under protection

TISHOMINGO, Okla. (AP) -- Residents of Tishomingo are pushing again to place the Blue River under the protection of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission.<br/><br/>Their attempts have already failed twice

Saturday, December 3rd 2005, 2:23 pm

By: News On 6

TISHOMINGO, Okla. (AP) -- Residents of Tishomingo are pushing again to place the Blue River under the protection of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission.

Their attempts have already failed twice before.

About 60 landowners met Thursday night with commission administrator Ed Fite and state Representative Paul Roan.

Attendees wanted information about how a scenic river designation would affect their ownership.

Scenic rivers can have no new or increased pollutants, and dams can't be built without the Legislature's consent.

State leaders will debate bills to designate the part of the southern Oklahoma river authored by Roan and Senator Jay Paul Gumm next year.

Last legislative session, the bill failed, 5-4, in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Roan says he's talked to several "no" voters and thinks it will receive full state House consideration this time.