Lake Thunderbird will be the focus of several public meetings hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality in July as stricter standards for the lake are proposed. The Oklahoma Water Quality plan will be modified as these new standards are incorporated for turbidity, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen. The full Lake Thunderbird TMDL report can be found on-line at: http://www.deq.state.ok.us/WQDnew/tmdl/index.html.
There will be a workshop about the technical aspects of the models used to develop the TMDLs for the Lake Thunderbird study on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 2:00 pm in the DEQ 1st Floor Multipurpose Room. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss in-depth details about the modeling that was used to develop the TMDLs, and the implications for permitted dischargers in the watershed. Though anyone is welcome to attend, this will be a technical discussion of most interest to cities and other regulated entities in the watershed and the technical community. While questions about the models will be answered, this is an informal meeting and no public comments for the record will be taken. These topics will also be discussed in a less technical manner at the Public Meeting later that evening. DEQ is located at 707 North Robinson in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Directions to DEQ can be found on the DEQ webpage at http://www.deq.state.ok.us/mainlinks/map2deq.pdf.
Later that same day (July 23rd), there will be a Public Meeting regarding the Lake Thunderbird Report for Nutrient, Turbidity, and Dissolved Oxygen TMDLs beginning at 6:30 pm in the Lowry Room of the Norman Public Library. The Norman Public Library is located at 225 N. Webster in Norman, Oklahoma (phone 405-701-2600) [a map of where the library is located can be found at this website: http://www.librarything.com/venue/27012/Norman-Public-Library.] The Public Meeting will include an overview of the Lake Thunderbird TMDL project and its recommendations. Questions will be answered and there will be the opportunity to make public comments for the record.
The TMDL report is a draft document and is subject to change based on comments received during the public participation process. All official comments for the record must be submitted either in writing or by e-mail before the end of the comment period or orally at the public meeting. For clarity, written comments are preferred. DEQ will prepare a responsiveness summary addressing all comments received.
The comment period will be open until 4:30 PM, August 1, 2013. Please submit your comments in writing to: Dr. Karen Miles, Water Quality Division, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 1677, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677 (405) 702-8192 E-mail: Water.Comments@deq.ok.gov
Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2013.