Since 2014 we have asked over and over for supporters to step up and speak out for the Buffalo National River. You responded and our efforts have finally paid off!
On Friday, June 20, 2025, after months of wrangling, hundreds of emails and phone calls from supporters, and dozens of legislative hearings that BRWA and our partners participated in, the Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) approved a permanent moratorium against issuing permits for hog CAFOs in the BNR watershed. A big win for the river!
When BRWA was created in 2013, we had two simple (?) goals:
- Closure of the C&H Hog Farm – achieved in 2019.
- Establishing a permanent moratorium to prevent any future hog farms in the watershed, now also achieved.
BRWA remains committed to the protection of the Buffalo National River and will continue our efforts to preserve the scenic beauty and pristine water and air quality of the Buffalo National River for future generations through public outreach and education, advocacy, and direct actions.
BRWA monitors potential threats and alerts our supporters when it is necessary to take action.
By subscribing to our Rapid Response Network we’ll let you know what is happening with the river and the watershed. The RRN is designed to quickly mobilize our supporters to contact your state legislators as needed.
Only at critical moments, we’ll ask you to contact your legislator by phone, in person, email, social media, etc.. ( If you are unsure who your current State Senator or Representative is, see the links below.)
BRWA also monitors the Legislature specifically for bills which could impact, pro or con, the Buffalo National River. We will then ask RRN members to act by contacting their Legislators.
To join the BRWA Rapid Response Network:
- Subscribe to our free newsletter for updates and calls to action.
- Join the BRWA facebook group.
- Make a tax-deductible donation to support our efforts
- Let your state Representative and Senator know you care about protecting the Buffalo River.
Help us be ready to respond
To find your Arkansas state Senator click here: https://senate.arkansas.gov/senators/senator-search/
To find your Arkansas state Representative click here: https://www.arkansashouse.org
The most effective way to preempt such bills is for you, as a constituent, to let your representatives know you care and that you are watching. Thank you for joining our team!
A few reasons why it’s important to continue protecting the Buffalo
The state invested a considerable amount of money and time in order to correct the mistake of allowing a large CAFO in the Buffalo River Watershed.
Now, after years of frustrating roadblocks, we have a permanent moratorium to preserve and protect the Buffalo National River and to ensure that such a mistake never happens again.
However, we must be vigilant to identify current and future dangers to the quality of the river.
The Buffalo National River is the crown jewel of Arkansas and is a valuable tourism destination in the state contributing $54.9 million to the area in 2018. It contributes even more now.
The Buffalo National River makes up only 11% of the watershed which feeds it. 89% of the watershed lies outside of the National Park boundary and deserves robust protection by the state.
The pasture soils in the watershed are too thin to accommodate industrial level wastes that contain far more nutrients than the vegetation could possibly utilize, resulting in soil with legacy phosphorous that can continue to leach for years and produce algal blooms.
The Buffalo watershed is particularly vulnerable to pollutants due to karst geology that underlies it. Dye trace studies sited by the Big Creek Research Extension Team’s report show just how far and how fast water can run underground.
The Buffalo National River is also an economic engine for the area. Many family businesses such as outfitters, restaurants, farm to table growers, cabin rental owners and more rely upon the health of the river to support and sustain their livelihoods for their families and employees.