In-Depth NDNPOINT SOURCE SUCCESS STURY
Highlighting the People Behind the Progress
Cooperative Efforts Build Trust While Reducing Pollution
ILLINOIS RIVER, OKLAHOMA
Decades of implementing targeted actions are steadily reducing pollution
problems in Oklahoma's Illinois River, which is a state-designated scenic
river. When combined with long-term dedication of multiple stakehold-
ers, the creative use of funding sources, and strategic and consistent
monitoring, the success achieved in the Illinois River basin serves as a
model for others.
Partners in Success
Ed Fite, Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA)
Local Visionary Creates Change
Ed leads multiagency efforts to increase conservation,
monitoring and river protection efforts.
Jerry Hammons, Producer and Cherokee
County Conservation District (CD)
Landowner Supports Implementation
Jerry, the first farmer in his county to sign an easement
contract, actively encourages others to participate.
Leslie Gore, Producer
Local Farmer Leads by Example
Leslie is a farmer and a long-time participant in cost-
share programs for conservation practices.
Shanon Phillips, Oklahoma Conservation
Commission (OCC)
State Contact Fosters Communication
Shanon promotes restoration, communicates with
stakeholders and helps connect people with funding.
Tashina Kirk, Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS)
Federal Employee Connects with Landowners
Tashina reaches out to landowners and emphasizes
building lasting partnerships based on trust.
Michael Ramming, NRCS
Federal Employee Coordinates Efforts
Michael connects landowners with funding, technical
assistance and education materials.
o
Success Story
Win hticj fits
Pollutant of concern:
Bacteria and nutrients
Practices implemented:
Agricultural conservation practices
(CPs), failing septic system replace-
ment or upgrades, education of
landowners and river users, and point
source pollution control measures
Waters restored/improved:
Water quality has improved in many
streams, including five waterbodies
that have been removed from the
impaired waters list for bacteria
Key elements of success:
» Dedicated leaders with a
long-term vision
» Engaged citizen volunteers
» Projects providing environmental,
recreational and economic benefits
» Availability of funds from Clean
Water Act (CWA) section 319 and
other sources (NRCS, state, local)
» Cooperation between local, state
and federal partners
Illinois River, OK
A supplement to Oklahoma's 2019 IMPS Success Story, Restoration Efforts Reduce Bacteria in the Illinois River Watershed.
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Basin Description
The Illinois River begins in the Ozark Mountains in
northwest Arkansasone of the nation's most rapidly
growing urban areasand flows west into northeast
Oklahoma. After entering Oklahoma, the river flows
southwest into Tenkiller Ferry Lake, which serves as a
public drinking water source. Approximately 54 percent
of the 1,600-square-mile basin (577,550 acres) lies
within Oklahoma. The Oklahoma portion of the Illinois
River and Barren Fork and Flint creeks are designated
as state scenic rivers due to their historical, natural and
ecological significance. The city of Tahlequah, alongthe
southwest border of the basin, is the capital of the two
federally recognized Cherokee tribes based in Oklahoma:
the modern Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah
Band of Cherokee Indians.
Problem
Data have shown elevated pollutant levels in the basin
since the 1970s. After additional water quality testing
confirmed high levels of bacteria, Oklahoma added
multiple waterbody segments to the CWA section 303(d)
list of impaired waters for nonattainment of the primary
body contact designated beneficial use. Pollution from
grazing lands, animal waste management, urbanization
and recreation contributed to the impairments.
Key Accomplishments
Oklahoma has collected data for decades to assess
physical, chemical and biological parameters; to priori-
tize and target implementation; and to track progress.
Upgrades to upstream wastewater treatment plants
(WWTPs) have reduced point source pollution sources.
Oklahoma has been addressing nonpoint source (NFS)
pollution problems through programs such as poultry
litter transfer, riparian protection, watershed education,
streambank stabilization and improved grazing manage-
ment (see map of CPs, back page).
NPS control efforts have been underway in the water-
shed for more than 30 years, including a 1992-2005
National NPS Monitoring Program and CP implementa-
tion project along Peacheater Creek, a 1995-2004 CP
demonstration project in the Illinois River/Baron Fork
watershed, and the 2008-2010 partnership-based
Illinois River Watershed Implementation Project.
In 2007-2015, the OCC led the Illinois River Watershed
CWA Section 319 Riparian Protection Project, which
complemented a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
effort to protect riparian areas. CREP provides incen-
tive payments to producers in priority watersheds who
enter into a 10- to 15-year contract to protect riparian
buffers. Section 319 funds enhanced CREP enrollment
by cost-sharing on riparian practices that were not
otherwise eligible for CREP funding, such as fencing
through wooded areas. In a similar effort, 30-year ripar-
ian easements were established with funding from the
Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission (OSRC).
In 2010 NRCS began an Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP) Special Initiative Project that invested
more than $21 million in CPs in the Illinois River and
neighboring Spavinaw Lake watersheds. This program
helped to ensure consistent density of CPs on both sides
of the state line.
Students use nets to collect fish and macroinvertebrates
in the Illinois River.
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THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRESS
Ed Fite, Grand River Dam Authority
Local Visionary Creates Change
Ed grew up along the waters of eastern Oklahoma. In 1983 he took the helm
of the OSRC and has been working on behalf of the Illinois River ever since.
For 33 years, he led OSRC's efforts to police the basin's waterways, manage
and maintain recreational facilities, conduct outreach and education, and
coordinate river protection efforts. Ed spent hours talking with poultry inte-
grators, state agencies and others to overcome differences. In 2016, the OSRC
was absorbed by the GRDA, and Ed was hired as the GRDA's Vice President of
Rivers Operations and Water Quality. He's currently responsible for ensuring
water quality standards (WQS) are met in all the state's scenic rivers and the
12,000-square-mile Grand Lake 0' the Cherokees watershed. Ed has received
many awards for his dedication, including lifetime achievement awards from
Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (2004) and the River Management Society (2016).
What has the Illinois River watershed meant to you?
Ed:The river has had a remarkable impact and influence on my life. I'm
passionate about water and its protection, but I also realize that we need to
balance that protection with economics and quality of life.
How has the watershed changed over the years?
Ed: Around 180,000 people lived in the basin in 1983. Since then, the
population has increased to about 700,000, mostly in the headwaters area
of northwest Arkansas, and is still growing. Early on, I realized we needed
Arkansas's help to meet Oklahoma's water goals. Beginning in the 1980s,
everyone was focused on abating the impacts from point sources of pollu-
tion. In the late 1990s, the focus changed to deploying a robust water quality
monitoring program and mitigation of NPS pollution issues. The states began
working together to stabilize streambanks and establish riparian areas. The
goal became to establish lush riparian areas that could temporarily store
water and then slowly release it back into the environment.
Why did so many people sign long-term riparian protection agreements?
Ed: After encountering eligibility issues with the CREP program, our partners
developed a new riparian conservation easement program that paid $2,250
per acre upfront to homeowners who signed a 30-year contract. We had
people standing in line to sign up for the program. The residents were more
willing to commit to long-term contracts if they were paid upfront. The fund-
ing allowed them to get out of debt, purchase new equipment, or add on to
their house. If residents chose to get out of the contract, they had to pay back
for the years they didn't conserve the land. The funding was provided by the
319 Program, the poultry industry and other grant sources.
"We're one of the few
localities in the United
States that can say
we improved water
quality at a time when
population increased
three-fold
Ed Fite
A group enjoys the Illinois River,
3
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How did the 319 Program help the watershed?
Ed: The 319 Program is a catalyst for why Oklahoma can say our rivers are
getting better. The program provided the lion's share of funding for the
30-year paid upfront conservation easement contracts. As a result of our
success, other agencies are exploring conservation easement programs.
What were some of your favorite moments?
Ed: 1' ve never had two bad days on the river. I've watched kids from the inner
city catch their first fish, and I've helped people learn to canoe and kayak.
Everyday there's a new memory or funny story from the river. Hopefully I'm
leaving a legacy so that others can enjoy the river as well.
Ed Fite enjoys kayaking on the
Illinois River.
"My land and the river
have done so well that
I'd like my contracts
to be extended
indefinitely
Jerry Hammons
Jerry Hammons, Cherokee County CD
Landowner Supports Implementation
Jerry, a retired farmer, owns more than 420 acres along the river. He has fished
and camped along the Illinois River his entire life, and he owned a convenience
store along the river from 2008 to 2012. He's a strong supporter of conservation
and protection for natural resources in the watershed. He was the first land-
owner in Cherokee County to sign up for CREP and CWA Section 319 Program
conservation contracts. His family's land is held under a conservation easement
with the Land Legacy, a nonprofit conservation organization, to ensure the land
cannot be commercialized, subdivided or sold. He's a long-time member of
the volunteer fire department and also serves on the board of the CD.
How have conservation programs helped your farm?
jerry: I used annual CREP and 319 Program payments to develop riparian
buffer strips to keep my livestock out of the creek. Both contracts expire in
2022. My land and the river have done so well that I'd like my contracts to be
extended indefinitely. I also received tax incentives from Cherokee County.
How have conservation programs helped the Illinois River?
Jerry: The phosphorus and bacteria levels have declined. The economic
impact has been good as well. Businesses on the river are booming, with
multiple kayaking, canoeing and other recreational floating operations active
during the five-month summer season. The conservation efforts in the water-
shed need to continue to ensure we take care of the river.
What was CD's role in the Illinois River restoration project?
Jerry: It provided some funding for the septic and riparian buffer projects in
Adair and Cherokee counites. I've gotten more involved with the CD to ensure
these programs continue.
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Leslie Gore, Producer
Local Farmer Leads by Example
Leslie's a farmer and a long-time supporter of conservation in the watershed.
He's lived within 30 miles of the Illinois River his entire life and enjoys spend-
ing time on the river. Leslie is part of a muitigeneration farming family that
has remained active in the Illinois River restoration effort. His father-in-law,
Richard Self, invited the OCC to place an autosampler on his property to col-
lect long-term data for the OCC's Peacheater Creek National NPS Monitoring
Program project in 1992-2005. Over the past 20 years, Leslie has also par-
ticipated in numerous programs to help support his conservation efforts,
including the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, EQ.IP, CREP, the Section 319
Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program.
Why have you participated in conservation programs?
Leslie: Farmers and ranchers, in addition to everyone else, need to help keep
the river clean. It's everyone's responsibility, but it's expensive to install and
maintain conservation practices. The cost-share programs help offset the costs.
What conservation practices have you installed?
Leslie: I've used no-till drilling; installed automatic water feeders with con-
crete aprons; fenced the cattle away from the ponds, creek and woods;
eradicated the cedar, which is an exotic invasive that requires a lot of water;
added nitrogen and phosphate stabilizers to reduce leaching; installed a geo-
textile liner to prevent manure runoff; and implemented many other practices
over the years.
How have conservation program helped you?
Leslie: Without the cost share I couldn't have installed the practices. Some
practices cost $50,000, and the cost share rate is 50 to 90 percent, depend-
ing on the practice and the program. Some of the programs provided funding
upfront, but most require the farmer to pay for the practice and then be reim-
bursed a few months later.
How have the conservation practices affected the community?
Leslie: The river is cleaner. Also, the practices made everyone more aware of
where the pollution was coming from. It helped show that abandoned septic
tanks were contributing pollution, and it was good to have these fixed.
How are conservation programs changing?
Leslie: I'm currently under contract for a few of the programs, but many
have expired. Programs are now focusing on poultry operations and in other
counties. Program staff and priorities can change depending on local, state
and federal politics. You need to be flexible and ready to adjust. If additional
programs or contracts were extended in my county, I would sign up again.
"Without the cost
share I couldn't have
installed the practices
Leslie Gore
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Shanon Phillips,
Oklahoma Conservation Commission
State Contact Fosters Communication
Shanon grew up spending time on a family farm in Kansas. She began work-
ing in the Illinois River watershed on a Clean Lakes study while pursuing a
master's degree at Oklahoma State University. She's worked for the OCC for
more than 20 years and has served as the Water Quality Division Director for
the past 10 years. She's responsible for implementing Oklahoma's NPS pollu-
tion program, which includes activities completed under the CWA Section 319
Program, the state's Wetland Program and NRCS CREP.
Why is the Illinois River projects worthy of special notice ?
Shanon; The use of both point and NPS controls have effectively reduced
bacteria and phosphorus levels in the river, despite the area's rapidly grow-
ing population. The many successes seen in the watershed since the 1970s
are finally yielding measurable improvements. Bacteria reductions are due
primarily to NPS controls, which couldn't have been implemented without
the 319 Program. Phosphorus reductions are due to both NPS controls and
point source controls, including local communities' $300 million investment in
WWTP upgrades and expansions.
How did the CWA Section 319 Program help the project effort?
Shanon: The 319 Program is like a seed for other programs and processes.
It's flexible enough to fill in gaps, but it's not the entire solution. It allows us
to work with partners and stakeholders to identify the biggest problems and
start checking items off.
How are CWA Section 319 funds used in the watershed?
Shanon: We started using the 319 Program to support monitoring and
prioritization in the 1990s. Back then, we worked with the OSRC to install port-
a-potties on the river because about 500,000 people were floating down the
river every summer without access to facilities. More recently we've used 319
funds to support the transfer of poultry litter out of the watershed, build litter
storage sheds and composters, and support conservation easement payments.
What has been an important contribution to the water quality success?
Shanon: The growing acceptance of riparian protection. Over the last 25
years, the state has worked with hundreds of people to sign contracts to
protect riparian areas. Many are from families over multiple generations in
the same areas, which shows that not only do people see the value in pro-
tecting the riparian areas, but also that we've established trust. This was the
first place in the state to have this level of participation in long-term riparian
area protection. The state doesn't hesitate to put more resources toward this
watershed because residents have demonstrated that if financial and techni-
cal assistance is provided, they will work with us.
''The CWA Section 319
Program is like a seed
for other programs
and processes
Students take part in an OCC-led
Blue Thumb education event.
Shanon Phillips
People of all ages enjoy rafting
along the Illinois River.
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Tashina Kirk and Michael Ramming, NRCS
Federal Employees Coordinate with Landowners
Tashina (lash) and Michael work for the Oklahoma NRCS. Tash is the Soil
Conservationist in the Jay, Oklahoma, office. She worked previously as the
OCC project coordinator for Section 319 Program projects in the Illinois River
watershed. Tash enrolled a record number of acres into long-term riparian
protection contracts, and she also worked with cooperators to upgrade septic
systems and install CPs. Michael is the District Conservationist in Delaware
County and the local NRCS team leader. He and his team provide funding and
technical support to the three local conservation districts to help implement
CPs and develop plans that support the cost-share program.
How has NRCS contributed to the Illinois River project success?
Tash: NRCS's ability to reach the residents was a big reason for the success.
NRCS staff knew the people in the county. OCC didn't have that type of access
to the residents without NRCS.
How did the CWA Section 319 Program help the watershed?
Michael: It offered various avenues of funding, flexibility in the type and
contract length of CPs, and support for demonstration farms. It even had
flexibility to fix old and non-functioning septic systems when NRCS programs
couldn't. The monetary incentives provided by the 319 Program were helpful
in getting landowners to try new things.
How did you enroll so many riparian acres in long-term contracts?
Tash: I spent time with the property owners and discussed possible CPs as
well as the problems they might encounter. If I didn't think a practice would
work, I wouldn't suggest it. Landowners understood that I was there to help
them, not just to enrol! them in a program.
What were your favorite moments working in the watershed?
Michael: Talking with landowners. We were able to get a lot of voluntary
conservation measures in place. Landowners appreciated the funding, techni-
cal assistance and education provided by field personnel. You're always going
to hear complaints if something goes wrong, so it was nice to hear from good
people who said we made a difference by helping them.
What impact did the project have on the watershed and residents?
Tash: People listened when we said, ''These are things we can do to help you."
I drove by years later and saw that some landowners installed fencing or were
restricting animals from the creek. Even though they might not have enrolled
in the programs, they'd heard what we said and made improvements to their
property on their own.
'landowners
understood that I was
there to help them, not
just to enroll them in a
program"
Tash Kirk
'landowners
appreciated the
funding, technical
assistance and
education provided
by field personnel"
Michael Ramming
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Watershed Restoration Results
Looking to the Future
ByShanon Phillips, Director,
OCC Water Quality Division
Encouraged by the progress
achieved, partners continue to
address the remaining, primarily
nutrient related, impairments in
the Illinois River. The OCC, GRDA
and other partners are enrolling
additional long-term riparian use
exclusion contracts, and Arkansas
has begun a similar program.
NRC5 continues to implement
conservation programs on both
sides of the state line.
Monitoring and assessment is
ongoing in both states along
with water quality and natural
resource conservation education
efforts. Volunteer monitoring
and education programs are
coordinating across state lines
to plan joint events. Oklahoma is
developing new demonstration
farms in the watershed to
encourage the adoption of soil
health and water quality-focused
conservation practices.
Oklahoma, Arkansas and the
Cherokee Nation signed a
collaborative agreement to address
the watershed impairments and
protect its natural resources. This
effort will develop an updated
Soil and Water Assessment Tool
model and a joint Watershed
Implementation Plan to reduce
point and nonpoint source
contributions to the watershed.
Water quality has improved in the Illinois River basin, allowing Oklahoma
to remove five segments from the impaired waters list for bacteria by 2016
(see map, below). Another 12 segments remain listed for bacteria, but data
show improvement. Decreasing phosphorus loads have also been docu-
mented; however, eight segments remain impaired for phosphorus. The
success of the water quality assessment and enhancement programs in the
basin is due to widespread public support and involvement of numerous
local, state and federal stakeholders.
Wesiville
\Tahlequal
Stilwell
OK121700030010_00- IR @ Tahlequah
OK121700030080_00- IR @ Chewey
OK121700030350_00- IR @ Watts
OK121700050010_00- Lwr. Barren Fork
OK121700060010_00- Lwr. Flint
Heavy Use Area
Waste Management Structures
Pasture Planting
Pond
Streambank
Watering Facility
Well
Septics
»Fences
I Use Exclusion
other streams
C'OXSERVAIION
wfrysistw-rHSS
Illinois River Watershed
319 and State Funded
Conservation Practices
Legend
Delisted Segments
Location of the five delisted segments in the Oklahoma portion of the Illinois
River, and the placement of all practices implemented (2000-2015) that were
funded with sources other than USDA programs.
^tDS7^
V Q
%. r"
*1 PRO**
\
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Washington, DC
EPA 841-F-20-001I
April 2020
For additional information contact:
Shanon Phillips
Oklahoma Conservation Commission
405-522-4728
shanon. phi//ips(S>conservation. ok. gov
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