[ODFW-News] ODFW News: State Agencies Sign on as Cooperators in the Diamond Lake Restoration Project

[ODFW News]

Contact: Meghan Collins, 541/440-3353, Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
              Cheryl Walters, 541/957-3270, Umpqua National Forest 
              John Blanchard, 541/776-6010 x240, Oregon Dept. of
Environmental Quality
 
For Immediate Release Thursday, November 20, 2003
 
State Agencies Sign on as Cooperators in the Diamond Lake Restoration
Project
 
ROSEBURG - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon
Department of Environmental Quality today joined the Umpqua National
Forest as cooperating agencies to develop a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Diamond Lake restoration project. The ODFW and
ODEQ have primary responsibilities in managing Diamond Lake, and now as
cooperating agencies, will assist in preparing the Diamond Lake
Restoration EIS. A revised Notice of Intent can be found at
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/frcont03.html.
 
As cooperating agencies, ODFW and ODEQ will support the Forest Service
by communicating relevant information early in the analytical process
and provide technical expertise and staff support. This additional step
in the ongoing multi-agency effort to restore Diamond Lake also
reiterates and demonstrates a shared commitment to the dual objectives
of improved water quality and an improved recreational fishery for the
lake. 

According to Jim Caplan, Umpqua National Forest supervisor, the working
group wants
to improve water quality in Diamond Lake as quickly as possible because
of the potential health risks from toxic algae present in the lake.
"Having both ODFW and ODEQ join us as cooperators in the Diamond Lake
restoration environmental analysis will result in better coordination
between the agencies," said Caplan. "Their commitment will allow us to
deal effectively with the serious public health problems we have at
Diamond Lake."
 
In addition to the overpopulation of tui chub and decline of the rainbow
trout fishery, Diamond Lake also has experienced toxic algae blooms for
three consecutive summers. Human health risks associated with blooms of
the blue-green algae Anabaena flos-aquae prompted the Forest Service and
the Douglas County Health Department to implement lake closures for
portions of all three summers. 
 
In 2003, Diamond Lake experienced increased water quality problems and
health risks with the appearance of a second toxic blue-green algae
species, Microcystis aeruginosa. Both of these algae species produce
toxins that elsewhere have been responsible for illness and death in
people, wildlife, and domestic livestock. 
 
Potential management alternatives to address water quality and fisheries
at Diamond Lake have been finalized and the EIS is proceeding according
to schedule. The draft EIS is expected to be available to the public in
2004. 
 
The Diamond Lake Working Group includes the Umpqua National Forest, US
Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, ODFW, ODEQ,
Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, Oregon Water
Resources Department, Douglas County, and State Representative Susan
Morgan.
 
For more information, check the Forest Service's Web site at
www.fs.fed.us /r6/umpqua/rec/w_quality/index.shtml or the ODFW Web site
at www.dfw.state.or.us. 

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