Oklahoma § 74-2301 - Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department - Water

§ 74-2301. Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department - Water

Quality Disclosure Duties.

A. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department shall develop

and maintain a website and provide written information for the

public available on location that allows the public to check the

water quality, as it adversely affects human and mammalian animal

health, of recreational bodies of water in this state which are

managed by state or federal agencies or entities. The website and

written information shall be made available to the public on or

before December 31, 2012, and shall provide internet links and other

points of contacts for relevant state agencies.

B. Any state or municipal agency with authority to manage a

recreational lake or reservoir in this state shall post signs at

major access points for the body of water stating that information

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government

on water quality is available on the website or in the written

information specified in subsection A of this section. The Oklahoma

Tourism and Recreation Department shall develop and provide the

language for the signs required by this subsection.

C. The State Department of Health shall provide to physicians,

hospital personnel, and local health departments educational

material and information on the effects and symptoms of exposure to

blue-green algae.

D. 1. Any state or municipal agency with authority to manage a

recreational lake or reservoir in this state, to regulate water

quality or regulate public health shall:

a.

issue advisories for blue-green algae for recreational

lakes or reservoirs only when both the blue-green

algae cell count and toxicity testing results exceed

the World Health Organization guidelines for moderate

probability of adverse health effects of one hundred

thousand (100,000) cells per milliliter for cell count

and twenty (20) micrograms per liter for microcystin

toxin levels. The blue-green algae testing shall be

conducted at predetermined locations which are

published along with the testing results, and

b.

lift advisories for blue-green algae for recreational

lakes or reservoirs if the blue-green algae cell count

and toxicity testing results are below guidelines as

set forth in subparagraph a of this paragraph for two

consecutive tests taken at weekly intervals within

thirty (30) calendar days of each other.

2. The blue-green algae cell count and toxicity testing results

as described in this subsection may be provided by a public or

private entity.

E. Any state or municipal agency with authority to manage a

recreational body of water in this state, to regulate water quality

or regulate public health and which may issue blue-green algae lake

advisories shall recognize publicly and privately funded research if

the research is scientifically verifiable and it will ensure that

the public is more informed about water quality and safety. The

Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department may publish the findings

of the research on the website or in written information specified

in subsection A of this section.

F. For purposes of this section:

1. "State or municipal agency" means any agency, board,

commission, department, authority, office, subdivision or

instrumentality of the state or a municipality located in the state;

and

2. "Recreational lake or reservoir" means a lake or reservoir

on which the public is allowed to fish, boat or swim.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government

G. Nothing in this section shall be construed to amend, modify,

or repeal any state or federal requirements related to water

testing.

Added by Laws 2012, c. 284, § 1, emerg. eff. May 24, 2012.