By Steve Browne 

A group opposing an increased release of water from the Devils Lake outlet into the Sheyenne River without a comprehensive study by an out-of-state agency says it has gathered more than 700 petition signatures in six days.
The petition asks the North Dakota Department of Health to not make permanent the emergency rule that would set the allowable sulfate level of 750 milligrams per liter to enter the Sheyenne River.
The Devils Lake outlet is scheduled to begin pumping at an increased rate of 250 cubic feet per second from the west end outlet this summer.
Also, the city of Devils Lake is currently dredging a foot of sediment from the Tolna Coulee on Stump Lake. Stump Lake is connected to the east end of Devils Lake through the Jerusalem Coulee.
The city of Devils Lake is seeking permission to lower the Tolna Coulee an additional 5 feet in hopes of creating a controlled release if the lakes rise further.

For full story, see the 11/13/2009 edition of the Valley City Times-Record.