State Auditor's Office To Examine Practices Of Water Board

Thursday, May 11th 2006, 9:44 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state auditor says complaints from residents around Lake Eufaula is the reason for an examination of the practices and policies of the state Water Resources Board.

Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan says he asked Governor Brad Henry to approve the audit after a meeting with nearly 400 residents in January.

The complaints came as a drought, municipal water use and two electric plants reduced the level of the lake.

The audit will look at the way the agency handles applications for water sales. It will also examine whether it's appropriate for hearing officers to ask for opinions from other agency staff when making recommendations to the board on contested permit proceedings.

The governor approved the audit despite opposition from the water board's chairman and vice chairman, the state Rural Water Association and state Representatives Gary Banz and Ray Young.