Legislative session continued
Bill 550 will be discussed by the Legislative Council during the 2-year interim before the 2021 session and we will be watching closely and will be ready to respond to any activity regarding this bill. We learned recently that Representative Mary Bentley has requested an interim study and we will be coordinating our efforts to testify and use this opportunity to further galvanize ADEQ’s Reg 5 and 6 permitting procedures.

We were instrumental in the passage of Senate Bill 485 (now Act 885), which provides an additional $5 million appropriation for ADEQ. BRWA understands that Act 885 may ultimately pave the way for closure of C&H. In the aftermath of the legislative session BRWA, along with coalition partners, have had meetings with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, key legislators, and other officials. This act could become a vehicle for conversations for an appropriate closure of C&H. SB485, now Act 885, enables discussions to begin when appropriations are available in early July.

Moratorium continued

During the session we discussed this with numerous legislators and nearly all agreed that a moratorium was necessary but were also firm that closure of C&H must come first. We believe they understand while we are focused on the appropriate closure of C&H, leaving open the possibility of someone else becoming established in the watershed would be a waste of resources.

Symposium summary continued

River water quality is worsening due to tributary land uses such as the waste application fields and seeping waste ponds of the hog facility, forest conversion into poorly managed pastures, growing populations of feral hogs and elk herds, and outdated sewage treatment facilities which are overwhelmed by increasing numbers of visitors and new residents. Due to the karst topography (caves, springs, and underground water flow) there is an urgent need for professional dye trace studies in order to define groundwater system recharge areas for the watershed. To prevent the loss of this rare American natural resource we must act. The 70 mile algal cover won't wait before it disrupts the balance of river life. We have lots to learn by conducting future scientific research, but we can begin to save the Buffalo by taking actions based on the existing scientific data. We know enough to start now.