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Valley City, N.D. (AP) Opponents of the Devils Lake outlet say more than 700 people have signed petitions asking the state to stop draining the swollen lake.

The group, called "Downstream Residents Opposed to more Devils Lake Water," held a demonstration in Valley City on Thursday.

Opponents worry about the quality of water coming into the Sheyenne River. The outlet has 14 miles of open channels, pipes and pumping stations to send water from the lake into the Sheyenne.

The outlet has been hampered by permit rules that limited the level of sulfates in the river to 450 milligrams per liter of water. The state Health Department approved a change last summer that allows a maximum of 750 milligrams.

Opponents say raising the sulfate level is illegal. They want the state to hire an independent group to study the lake's rise and the outlet's effect on the Sheyenne River.

Information from: KOVC-AM, http://www.newsdakota.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-12-09 1632CST | save this article / add to your favorites list