Jim Bemis speaks at Telecom Board meeting on December 16, 2010

GOVERNMENT CHANNEL SCHEDULE published Friday, December 17, 2010, the day following Telecom Board meeting, does not include Telecom Board meeting video to be run during week of 12/17/2010 through 12/12/2010. Bemis' comments, therefore, will not be shown on Cox Cable or AT&T U-verse until long after the Fayetteville City Council meeting at which the CAT contract will be voted on Tuesday, December 21, 2010.
Please click on individual pages to ENLARGE for easy reading.

Meeting of OSRC Board of Commissioners canceled until February 15, 2011

Hello Commissioners and Friends,

Due to the lack of business items requiring board members action and those pressures associated with the Christmas and New Year's Day Holidays, Chairman Steve Randall has decided it to be in everyone's best interest to CANCEL the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission (OSRC) Regular Business Meeting scheduled next week on Tuesday afternoon, December 21st.

Please note the next OSRC Regular Business Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 15, 2011.

On behalf of the OSRC Board of Commissioners and Staff Team, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New 2011 from all of us.

Sincerely,

Ed Fite, Administrator
Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission
P.O. Box 292
Tahlequah, OK 74465-0292
Email: ed.fite@oklahomascenicrivers.net
Office: (918) 456-3251
Fax: (918) 456-8466
Cell: (918) 207-8180
Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net

Cox Cable changes of interest to viewers of Fayetteville's public channels

Highway Commission vote could end mowing and dredging practices that cause erosion, loss of wildlife habitat and decrease beauty of roadsides in Arkansas

Please click on image to ENLARGE. Two hours after this photo was made on October 12, 2010, this area had been brushogged into oblivion. Sure, the swamp milkweed will sprout from its roots next summer. But these plants not only held pods offering hundreds of milkweed seeds but also were feeding milkweed caterpillars that could have made chrysalises and become final 2010 generation monarchs traveling to Mexico and with a chance to return in spring and find fresh milkweed on which a new generation of monarchs could have been raised to keep the cycle of life intact for this seriously threatened species of migrating butterfly. If you want to talk to your Northwest Arkansas representative on the Highway Commission, he is Dick Trammel.

Monarch caterpillars were still eating the foliage of these swamp milkweeds and the seed pods were almost mature when the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department Mowers came down the road and crushed and cut them off near the ground. Amazing hypocrisy for a state agency that touts its wildflower program. And possibly worse hypocrisy is touting its stormwater-protection work and then mowing and dredging ditches repeatedly every year.

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view.

To learn more about the Arkansas Highway Commission,  please see AHC  link.

aubunique: Insect Festival coming up

aubunique: Insect Festival coming up: "Please use live links on site to navigate and read more detail. Bumpers College Home Entomology Home O..."

aubunique: Tree and Landscape Committee sets annual city tree...

aubunique: Tree and Landscape Committee sets annual city tree...: "12th Annual Celebration of TreesSaturday October 9, 2010 7:00 am Town Center entrance on the Fayetteville SquareEvery year the Tree and Lan..."

aubunique: Vote now! Tonight attend City Council meeting and/...

aubunique: Vote now! Tonight attend City Council meeting and/...: "Please click on individual photos to ENLARGE and widen view for easier reading."

Important meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday to focus on Illinois River water quality

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

 THE ILLINOIS RIVER WATERSHED TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD (TMDL)

PROJECT UPDATE

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 6, will be hosting an informal meeting on September 14, 2010, at 6 pm to update the public on the Illinois River Watershed TMDL development project.  The meeting will be held in the Bynum Theater of John Brown University located at 2000 West University Street in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.  The meeting will include a presentation on the data and information provided by the public and a questions and answer session. For additional information, contact Diane Smith at 214-665-2145 or Smith.Diane@epa.gov.

Illinois River Watershed Public Meeting

Bynum Theater

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, AR

September 14, 2010

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Agenda

  

1. Introduction

2. Project Overview

3. Illinois River Water TMDL Project – Tentative Schedule

4. GIS Database and Data Gap Analysis Report Development

5. Meeting Adjourn
   

Northwest Arkansas Ducks Unlimited banquet on September 24, 2010, at Washington County Fairground

Start the celebration early for the Alabama game by attending the  Northwest Arkansas Ducks Unlimited membership banquet at the Washington  County Fairgrounds. Lots of great food, unique auction items and plenty  of prizes.
Individual, couple, Sponsor and Corporate tables for eight are  available. To purchase your tickets online please click the Buy Tickets  link below.

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer on the committee, or  would like more information on the banquet, please contact me at the  email address shown. Be sure to forward this email to friends and fellow  duck hunters who would also like to attend the banquet.
Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Illinois River waterfowl on January 6, 2010.

This weekend on the Illinois River

Hello Scenic Rivers Friends,

 

Listed below are Illinois River Basin Forecasted Conditions and Recommendations for this upcoming September 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2010 "Labor Day" Holiday Weekend.

 

Please know several recipients on our electronic mailing list will occasionally report back to us that their Email Server distorted the format or omitted portions of the OSRC electronic mailings. In the event you experience a likened problem, a copy of this weekend's Illinois River Basin Forecasted Conditions and Recommendations is attached above in "Word" Format.

 

From time to time, there will be an individual is added to the OSRC mailing who does not wish to be included. In the event you are one of those individuals, please advise me at ed.fite@oklahomascenicrivers.net so your name/electronic address may be removed from the OSRC mailing list.

 

In closing, feel free to contact me if the OSRC may ever assist you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ed Fite

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission

Office (918) 456-3251

Email: ed.fite@oklahomascenicrivers.net

Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net

 

You are probably already more than familiar with our agency's mission to protect and preserve our state's scenic river areas. Yet while I have your attention, may I ask a favor of you today to start picking up at least two pieces of trash/litter everyday somewhere you regularly don't (i.e. along a stream, ditch, downtown area, grocery, work, discount stores, malls, restaurant, Church, school, hiking trails, canoeing, hunting, etc)... And, please encourage your family, friends and co-workers to do the same... The synergy of that one effort will do so much to improve our overall environment...

 

 

OKLAHOMA SCENIC RIVERS COMMISSION

ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN

SEPTEMBER 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2010 “LABOR DAY” HOLIDAY WEEKEND FORECAST

Be sure to mark your calendars on Saturday, October 16^th to attend this year’s OSRC “Illinois RiverFest.”

As Illinois River water levels and flows are now below historic seasonal lows, it is recommended that individuals planning to utilize canoes, kayaks, rafts or inner tubes for their float trips should opt for taking shorter length trips given river conditions. In the event individuals chose to take a float trip that covers a river reach 10 miles or longer, it is recommended that those float trips should be launched prior to 8:00a.m., to allow adequate time to complete them safely and during daylight hours.   

River/Stream Conditions as of 10:00a.m. Tuesday, August 31, 2010:

Illinois River

Water Temperature is 72.68º F

Savoy / ARK Hwy Bridge – Level 2.60ft and discharge 19.61 cubic feet per second (cfs).Level Steady

ARK Hwy 16 Bridge – Level 5.01ft and discharge 80cfs. Level Steady

ARK Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 2.60ft and discharge 77cfs. Level Steady

Watts / US Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 1.90ft and discharge 154cfs. Level Steady

Based on 54 years of record, average water level should be 1.75ft and discharge 154 cubic feet per second on this date at Watts/US Hwy 59 Bridge Gaging Station.

Chewey Bridge – 4.22ft and discharge 146cfs. Level Steady

Tahlequah / US Hwy 62 Bridge – Level 2.43ft and discharge 164cfs. Level Steady Based on 74 years of record, average water level should be 2.50ft and discharge 197 cubic feet per second on this date at Tahlequah / US Hwy 62 Bridge Gaging Station.

Cubic Feet per Second (cfs) = 450 X cfs = gallons per minute flowing by a given point (place such as a bridge). Example, if Tahlequah Gage on the Illinois River is 164cfs today at 10:00a.m., then 450 X 164 = 73,800 gallons is flowing by the Tahlequah Gage every one minute.

Barren Fork Creek

Dutch Mills / ARK Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 1.18ft and discharge 4.88cfs. Level Steady

Eldon / OK Hwy 51 Bridge – Level 5.32ft and discharge 74cfs. Level Steady

Based on 61 years of record, average water level should be 5.30ft and discharge 58 cubic feet per second on this date at Eldon / OK Hwy 51 Bridge Gaging Station.

Flint Creek

Sager Creek (upstream of US Hwy 412 Bridge and west of West of Siloam Springs, OK) – Level 4.37ft and discharge 7.52cfs. Level Steady

Flint Creek Springtown, AR – 3.51ft and 3.30cfs. Level Steady

US Hwy 412 Bridge (East of Kansas, OK) – Level 6.12ft and discharge 42cfs. Level Steady

Based on 50 years of record, average water level should be 6.10ft and discharge 29 cubic feet per second on this date at US Hwy 412 Bridge Gaging Station.

Estimated Weekend Water Levels:

Illinois River at Watts (US 59 Bridge- Watts, OK - Adair County)

Friday, September 3^rd 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft

Saturday, September 4^th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft

Sunday, September 5^th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft

Monday, September 6^th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft

Illinois River at Tahlequah (US 62 Bridge- Tahlequah, OK - Cherokee County)

Friday, September 3^rd 7:00a.m. – 2.40ft

Saturday, September 4^th 7:00a.m. – 2.40ft

Sunday, September 5^th 7:00a.m. – 2.50ft

Monday, September 6^th 7:00a.m. – 2.50ft

Flint Creek at Kansas (US 412 Bridge- Kansas, OK - Delaware County)

Friday, September 3^rd 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft

Saturday, September 4^th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft

Sunday, September 5^th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft

Monday, September 6^th 7:00a.m. – 1.90ft

Barren Fork Creek (SH 51 Bridge – Eldon, OK – Cherokee County)

Friday, September 3^rd 7:00a.m. – 5.30ft

Saturday, September 4^th 7:00a.m. – 5.30ft

Sunday, September 5^th 7:00a.m. – 5.30ft

Monday, September 6^th 7:00a.m. – 5.30ft

The National Weather Service-Tulsa Office Forecast for the Illinois River Basin this “Labor Day” Holiday Weekend:

• Friday, September 3^rd High 86ºF and Low 56ºF , Partly Cloudy Skies with winds out of the North 5-10mph and occasional gusts up to 15mph. UV 9;
• Saturday, September 4^th  High 88ºF and Low 58ºF, Clear Skies with light winds out of the East up to 5mph. UV 10; 
• Sunday, September 5^th High 90ºF and Low 65ºF, Clear Skies with winds out of the South 5-10mph and occasional gusts up to 15mph. UV 10; and,
• Monday, September 6^th High 94ºF and Low 68ºF, Partly Cloudy with winds out of the South 5-10mph and occasional gusts up to 15mph. UV 9.

It is recommended that first-time and novice floaters should only float when accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced floaters.

Oklahoma Law requires children under the age 13 years of age must wear a Lifejacket (aka: PFD/personal flotation device) at all times while floating. 

Always exercise caution when floating and swimming by wearing a LIFEJACKET (aka: PFD/Personal Flotation Device) at all times while floating, swimming or wading.

Floaters should be aware that fallen trees and other debris in the river will present navigational hazards.

Before setting out on any float trip, please consult the Commercial Flotation Device Operation you plan to use as your rental livery for the most up-to-date river conditions and recommendations. Also, be sure to log-on to Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net and click on the “48-Hour Recreational Forecast” icon to view an interactive river map that changes colors with elevated river levels and matrix of recommendations at the certain levels.

Other considerations for a safe float trip:

• Be sure to inform the commercial flotation device operation if you or anyone in your party are a first-time or novice floater(s) so that they may pair you with an experienced paddler/floater or float you in a raft so there is a lesser chance for capsizing;
• Wear a personal flotation device at all times;
• Never swim or boat alone. Stay within sight of companions;
• Do not float when river levels and discharge flows are higher than normal or at flood stage;
• If you capsize, stay with your flotation device on the upstream side. Resist the urge to grab a fixed object don't get pinned between the flotation device and a rock or tree;
• When tired, take a break on a gravel bar to relax;
• Take a shorter length float trip (especially in rafts and inner tubes) when river levels are at Summer-time lows and winds are out of the South greater than 10mph;
• Do not dive into the river from bridges, bluffs, streambanks and trees;
• Do not swing on rope swings and jump into the water as there may be submerged logs and tree branches that could cause bodily harm;
• Be sure to bring sunglasses, extra cover up clothing, hat and suntan lotion. The sun reflecting off the water will give a person without sunglasses a headache and the extra clothing gives an opportunity not to sunburn;
• Be sure to take water, tea, Gatorade, other thirst-quenching drinks and peanut butter crackers or similar snacks. Try to avoid beer and soda pops as they tend to dehydrate the body and alcohol impairs judgment;
• Be sure to wear river wading shoes to ensure no cuts to your feet;
• Never take anything on your float trip that you don't want to lose. Check your car keys with the commercial flotation device operation for safe keeping;
• Respect the rights of fishermen and private property owners;
• Camp only in designated areas. Avoid being trapped by rising water against bluffs or on gravel bars;
• Do not tie flotation devices together as it against the law and violators are subject to fine;
• Do not use profanity;
• Do not use glass and Styrofoam containers;
• Do not litter;
• Shower with soap and water after swimming;
• Wash cuts and scrapes with clean water and soap after swimming;
• Wear ear plugs;
• Wear swim goggles;
• Take children to the restroom frequently;
• Use swim diapers on infants;
• Stay away from any area that has floating debris, oil sheens or dead fish;
• Do not swim after a heavy rain;
• Do not swim in water with a temperature greater than 80ºF;
• Do not swim if you have cuts or scrapes;
• Do not swim near storm drains;
• Do not swim in stagnant (unmoving) water;
• Do not swim in water with a green surface scum; and,
• Do not ingest water.

 Always Pack Out What You Pack In

Be Sure To Recycle and Dispose of Your Trash Properly

Trash bags are available to campers and floaters “free-of-charge” from Commercial Flotation Device Operations, River Rangers and Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Headquarters Building.

For questions or additional information, feel free to contact us at the below information.

Thank you,

Ed Fite, Administrator

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission

PO Box 292

Tahlequah, OK 74465-0292

Office (918) 456-3251

Fax (918) 456-8466

Email: ed.fite@oklahomascenicrivers.net

Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net

"Float and swim smart from the start by wearing a Lifejacket (aka: PFD/personal flotation device) at all times while floating, swimming or wading"

  

(08312010)

Aug9 aubrey.asf

Floating conditions on the Illinois River as predicted for coming weekend

OKLAHOMA SCENIC RIVERS COMMISSION

ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN CONDITIONS

AUGUST 20, 21 & 22, 2010 WEEKEND FORECAST

This Weekend is the 18^th Annual Illinois River Balloon Fest in Tahlequah. Also, be sure to mark your calendars on Saturday, October 16^th to attend this year’s OSRC “Illinois RiverFest.”

As Illinois River water levels and flows are now at seasonal lows, it is recommended that individuals planning to utilize rafts or inner tubes for their float trips should opt for taking shorter length trips given river conditions. In the event individuals chose to take a raft or inner tube float trip that covers a river reach 10 miles or longer, it is recommended that those float trips should be launched prior to 9:00a.m., to allow adequate time to complete them safely and during daylight hours.   

Current Conditions as of 8:00a.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2010:

Illinois River

Water Temperature is 70.52º F

Savoy / ARK Hwy Bridge – Level 2.68ft and discharge 27 cubic feet per second (cfs). Level Steady

ARK Hwy 16 Bridge – Level 5.19ft and discharge 111cfs. Level Steady

ARK Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 2.74ft and discharge 106cfs. Level Steady

Watts / US Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 2.08ft and discharge 194cfs. Level Steady

Based on 54 years of record, average water level should be 1.85ft and discharge 172 cubic feet per second on this date at Watts/US Hwy 59 Bridge Gaging Station.

Chewey Bridge – 4.39ft and discharge 200cfs. Level Steady

Tahlequah / US Hwy 62 Bridge – Level 2.50ft and discharge 210cfs. Level Steady Based on 74 years of record, average water level should be 2.50ft and discharge 212 cubic feet per second on this date at Tahlequah / US Hwy 62 Bridge Gaging Station.

Cubic Feet per Second (cfs) = 450 X cfs = gallons per minute flowing by a given point (place such as a bridge). Example, if Tahlequah Gage on the Illinois River is 210cfs today at 8:00a.m., then 450 X 210 = 94,500 gallons is flowing by the Tahlequah Gage every one minute.

Barren Fork Creek

Dutch Mills / ARK Hwy 59 Bridge – Level 1.23ft and discharge 6.93cfs. Level Steady

Eldon / OK Hwy 51 Bridge – Level 5.33ft and discharge 71cfs. Level Steady

Based on 61 years of record, average water level should be 5.29ft and discharge 44 cubic feet per second on this date at Eldon / OK Hwy 51 Bridge Gaging Station.

Flint Creek

Sager Creek (upstream of US Hwy 412 Bridge and west of West of Siloam Springs, OK) – Level 4.45ft and discharge 10.69cfs. Level Up Slightly From Last Week

Flint Creek Springtown, AR – 3.54ft and 3.71cfs. Level Steady

US Hwy 412 Bridge (East of Kansas, OK) – Level 6.15ft and discharge 46cfs. Level Steady

Based on 50 years of record, average water level should be 6.10ft and discharge 30 cubic feet per second on this date at US Hwy 412 Bridge Gaging Station.

Estimated Weekend Water Levels:

Illinois River at Watts (US 59 Bridge- Watts, OK - Adair County)

Friday August 20^th 7AM – 2.00ft

Saturday August 21^st 7AM – 1.90ft

Sunday August 22^nd 7AM – 1.90ft

Illinois River at Tahlequah (US 62 Bridge- Tahlequah, OK - Cherokee County)

Friday August 20^th 7AM – 2.50ft

Saturday August 21^st 7AM – 2.50ft

Sunday August 22^nd 7AM – 2.50ft

Flint Creek at Kansas (US 412 Bridge- Kansas, OK - Delaware County)

Friday August 20^th 7AM – 6.10ft

Saturday August 21^st 7AM – 6.10ft

Sunday August 22^nd 7AM – 6.10ft

Barren Fork Creek (SH 51 Bridge – Eldon, OK – Cherokee County)

Friday August 20^th 7AM – 5.30ft

Saturday August 21^st 7AM – 5.30ft

Sunday August 22^nd 7AM – 5.30ft

The National Weather Service-Tulsa Office is forecasting for the Illinois River Basin this Weekend:

• Friday, August 20^th High 99ºF and Low 72ºF , Clear Skies with 20% chance of Thunderstorms in the afternoon and winds out of the South 5-10mph. UV 9;
• Saturday, August 21^st High 95ºF and Low 72ºF, Partly Cloudy with 20% chance of Thunderstorms in afternoon and light winds out of the Southwest up to 5mph. UV 7; and, 
• Sunday, August 22^nd High 95ºF and Low 74ºF, Clear Skies with 20% chance of Thunderstorms in the afternoon and light winds out of the West-Southwest in the morning changing to East-Southeast in the afternoon. UV 10.

It is recommended that first-time and novice floaters should only float when accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced floaters.

Oklahoma Law requires children under the age 13 years of age must wear a Lifejacket (aka: PFD/personal flotation device) at all times while floating. 

Always exercise caution when floating and swimming by wearing a LIFEJACKET (aka: PFD/Personal Flotation Device) at all times while floating, swimming or wading.

Floaters should be aware that fallen trees and other debris in the river will present navigational hazards.

Before setting out on any float trip, please consult the Commercial Flotation Device Operation you plan to use as your rental livery for the most up-to-date river conditions and recommendations. Also, be sure to log-on to Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Website: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net and click on the “48-Hour Recreational Forecast” icon to view an interactive river map that changes colors with elevated river levels and matrix of recommendations at the certain levels.