Conservation groups disappointed with Illinois River plan

摘要

Conservation groups are expressing disappointment with a memorandum of agreement between Oklahoma and Arkansas officials to study ways to improve water quality in the Illinois River watershed."This MOA proposes absolutely no provisions that will result in substantial water quality improvements any time soon," said Ed Brocksmith of Tahlequah, Okla., a member of the group Save the Illinois River.Pollution of the river and its 1 -million-acre watershed, allegedly by chicken farmers in northeastern Oklahoma who were contracted by several poultry companies, has been a decadeslong disagreement between the two states, said Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment Michael Teague, a signer of the MOA."If those groups are saying this doesn't go far enough in cleaning up the water, or doesn't go fast enough, at least it's a step forward.... I need them to keep pushing me ... do more, get faster," Teague said yesterday.