Why Do We Need to Save the Buffalo River, Again?

When the Buffalo National River was established in 1972 after a 10-year campaign to "Save The Buffalo", most assumed the river was permanently protected. In 2013 the "Save the Buffalo - Again" campaign became necessary when an industrial scale hog facility was built on the banks of Big Creek, just 5 miles upstream from the Buffalo National River. Government oversight of this large CAFO was deeply flawed and threatened to destroy the fragile ecosystem of our nation's first National River. However, in June 2019, after six years of strong public opposition Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced a $6.2 million buyout and closure of the facility and requested a permanent ban on any future swine permits in the watershed. Explore our web pages to see how this second battle for the Buffalo unfolded.

Big News!

After over six years of efforts by BRWA and others, we are excited to share that on June 13, 2019 Governor Asa Hutchinson Announced Closure of C&H and support for a Permanent Moratorium! Read the news here. Read the Settlement Agreement here.

On January 6, 2020 the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism announced that C&H had completed their closure requirements and operations had officially ended

Now we need to "Save The Buffalo River...Forever!

A permanent moratorium prohibiting any future swine CAFOs in the Buffalo River watershed is needed to provide permanent protection and insure that the C&H debacle is not repeated. In spite of the Governor's support for a moratorium in 2020, the Arkansas legislature refused to approve it. BRWA's current work is focused on securing this protection to "Save The Buffalo...Forever!" The legislature meets on November 14, 2024 to once again consider permanent protection of the Buffalo River. WE NEED YOUR HELP to let the committee members know how important it is to protect the state's most beloved icon.

Read our press release Here

Go here to find out how you can help.

OTHER THREATS

With the hog CAFO finally closed, BRWA is focusing its attention on other threats to the Buffalo. One of the most concerning is a wide ranging plan by the US Forest Service for a 40,000 acre tract in the headwaters. Read about the Robert's Gap Project.

BRWA files Robert's Gap lawsuit against US Forest Service

UPCOMING EVENTS

No upcoming events

Click on the image to listen to "For the Buffalo", written and recorded by Tim Crouch and Charley Sandage on behalf of BRWA and the Buffalo River

Monitoring the Buffalo River Watershed:

A Multi-Modal Map

Research shows that too much of a thing can be harmful, so BRWA has begun an interactive baseline map of concerns for our beloved Buffalo river. As more people visit and build their dreams here, BRWA is watching to make sure we can see what needs protecting, the clear streams that feed the river, the trees that shield its shores, the summer swimming holes our children delight in, the viewshed of the hills we call our home. How we treat the land surrounding the water makes a difference. There is a balance, a golden mean or "nothing in excess" as the ancient philosophers put it, that we can achieve when we take the time to consider the river and this land we love.

This map is a work-in-progress and currently shows poultry operations (79 structures within the watershed) and the closed C&H hog CAFO. Plans are to add other concerns such as wastewater treatment plants, unpaved roads, etc.

Original artwork for sale!

Artist Rachel Henriques has generously donated several works of original art inspired by the BNR watershed. Proceeds will help support BRWA activities. Go here for more information.

How important is the Buffalo River to the regional economy?

In 2022, 1.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $65.0 million in local gateway regions while visiting Buffalo National River. These expenditures supported a total of 864 jobs, $24.4 million in labor income, $41.6 million in value added, and $78.5 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Buffalo National River. Read the 2022 Buffalo National River Visitor Spending Impact Report here.

Also, read this research report on the value of ecosystem services attributed to the Buffalo River.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

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FOR THE BUFFALO

For the peace of a quiet float or hike,

For the joy of discovering its waterfalls and wildflowers,

For the love for the beauty of its rare wild nature,

will you pause and reflect, pay it forward,

and donate to protect and preserve this ribbon of blue

to ensure it threads its way into the future, alive and well?

Make your gift to the River,