AGP Executive Report

Clean Energy: A 7.2-MW solar system is now supplying Beaver Water District in Northwest Arkansas, covering an estimated 15% to 20% of its electricity needs and potentially saving $7 million to $11 million over its lifetime. Drought and Fire Risk: Arkansas is in its 14th consecutive month of drought, with low or absent surface water troubling duck hunters and Craighead County on high alert for wildfires. Water Management: A proposed Bayou Meto watershed project near Altheimer would require ongoing county upkeep, while Texarkana’s board voted to seek state approval for a Millwood Lake water sale to Texas. Wildlife: An Arkansas wildlife refuge important to migrating ducks is set to expand.

Drought and Fire Risk: Arkansas is in its 14th straight month of drought, with Craighead County at high wildfire risk and 50 counties under burn bans. Low water is also clouding duck season prospects: breeding-ground pond counts rose from last year but remain 9% below average, while Arkansas wetlands await rain. Flood Control: A proposed $24.65 million federal project would improve nearly nine miles of drainage channels near Altheimer, but Jefferson County would take on maintenance for the project’s 50-year life. Water and Farms: Millwood Lake water sales to Texas are advancing toward state review, while Southern SARE grants offer farmers and ranchers up to $25,000 to test sustainable practices on their operations.

Sustainable Agriculture: Arkansas farmers and ranchers can apply for Southern SARE grants of up to $20,000 individually or $25,000 through producer groups to test sustainable practices on their operations. Wildlife & Access: Duck hunting disputes are flaring along the St. Francis River, where hunters say blinds are being used to reserve public-water spots; the AGFC says people may use the navigable river as long as they don’t block it. Conservation Education: The AGFC and Arkansas Economic Development Commission are offering schools more than $690,000 for conservation programs, funded by hunting and fishing violation fines. Water Quality: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority has submitted comments on EPA draft guidance for PFAS in biosolids, keeping questions about managing these persistent chemicals in wastewater materials on the state’s agenda. Wildfire Risk: A recent cold front brought fall temperatures to Arkansas, but forecasters warned that wildfire risk remains.

Wildlife and Access: Duck hunters are clashing over spots on the St. Francis River in northeast Arkansas, where some say people camp in blinds to reserve locations. The river runs through the 30,574-acre Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area; state officials say people may use the navigable waterway as long as they don’t block it. Conservation Education: AGFC and the state’s rural-services division are offering Arkansas schools more than $690,000 for conservation programs, funded by hunting and fishing fines. Pollinators: A $249,000 ARDOT grant will support Arkansas State University research on roadside seeding, plant diversity and pollinators, with the aim of improving planting guidance. Duck Habitat: Declining mallard numbers are prompting new habitat and conservation research, while an Arkansas wildlife refuge important to migrating ducks is set to expand. Fire Risk: Cooler weather is reaching Arkansas, but forecasters warn wildfire risk continues.

Conservation Education: Arkansas schools can apply for more than $690,000 in AGFC grants to support conservation programs, funded by hunting and fishing violation fines collected in each county. Wastewater Upgrades: Siloam Springs voters will decide whether to continue a sales tax supporting up to $55 million in sewer and treatment plant improvements; the city says stricter discharge limits mean some equipment must be upgraded. Pollinator Habitat: ARDOT awarded Arkansas State University $249,000 to study roadside seeding practices and identify ways to support native plants and pollinators. Water and Wildlife: Texarkana’s board voted to seek state approval for a sale of Millwood Lake water to Texas, while Arkansas wildlife refuge expansion and new habitat research aim to aid migrating ducks amid declining mallard populations. Pollution: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority submitted comments on EPA draft guidance for reducing PFAS risks in treated sewage sludge.

Wildfire Risk: A cold front brought cooler weather to Arkansas, but dry, gusty winds raised fire danger. A red-flag warning covered southern areas, with burn bans in 49 counties. Wastewater Upgrades: Siloam Springs voters will decide whether to continue a 0.625% sales tax to fund up to $55 million in sewer and treatment-plant improvements, including upgrades needed to meet stricter discharge limits. Roadside Habitat: ARDOT awarded Arkansas State University $249,000 to study how roadside seeding can support native plants and pollinators. Wildlife Conservation: Arkansas’ Bayou Meto project is set to expand a refuge important to migrating ducks, while separate research tracks declining mallard populations and habitat needs. Water Quality: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority submitted comments on EPA guidance for reducing PFAS risks in biosolids.

Wastewater: Siloam Springs voters will decide in November whether to authorize up to $55 million in bonds for treatment-plant upgrades and sewer repairs. The work would help the city meet stricter discharge limits; the funding would continue an existing sales tax, not add a new one. Wildfire Risk: Cooler fall weather has arrived, but dry conditions and gusty winds prompted a red-flag warning in southern Arkansas. Burn bans were in place in 49 counties Friday. Pollinators: ARDOT awarded Arkansas State University $249,000 to study roadside seeding and identify native plants that support pollinators and resilient vegetation. Pollution and Permits: Little Rock’s water reclamation authority commented on EPA draft guidance for PFAS in biosolids. Separately, Arkansas’ Energy and Environment Department submitted a plan to streamline its permitting processes, following a review of 112 programs.

Wildfire Risk: A cold front is bringing cooler weather, but dry conditions and gusty winds have raised fire danger across Arkansas. A red flag warning covered southern areas Friday, burn bans were in place in 49 counties, and a wildfire near Pine Bluff Arsenal had burned at least 200 acres. Wildlife Habitat: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is adding 435 acres to Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, expanding habitat important to migrating ducks. Water Resources: Texarkana’s board voted to let a regional water district seek state approval to send up to 110 million gallons a day from Millwood Lake to Texas; any sale would require further approval. Roadside Ecology: ARDOT awarded Arkansas State University $249,000 to study how roadside seeding can support native plants, pollinators and more resilient vegetation.

Wildfire Risk: A cold front brought cooler weather but gusty winds and dry conditions raised fire danger across Arkansas. A red flag warning covered parts of southern Arkansas, burn bans were in place in 49 counties, and a wildfire near Pine Bluff Arsenal had burned at least 200 acres. Wildlife Habitat: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will add 435 acres to Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, an important stop for migrating ducks. Arkansas researchers are also studying declining mallard populations and habitat needs. Water Resources: Texarkana’s board voted to let a regional water district seek state approval to send up to 110 million gallons a day from Millwood Lake to Texas. The vote allows an application to proceed; it does not approve a water sale. Environmental Oversight: Arkansas’ Department of Energy and Environment submitted a plan after reviewing 112 permitting and licensing programs under the governor’s order to streamline approvals while protecting natural resources.

Winter Outlook: NOAA favors a wetter-than-average winter across the South, offering a possible reprieve for Arkansas, though seasonal forecasts are not guarantees. Drought: Recent warmth and rainfall deficits worsened drought in southern Arkansas and nearby states. Pollinator Habitat: Arkansas State University received $249,000 to study roadside seeding practices that could improve plant diversity and pollinator habitat along state highways. Water Quality: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority weighed in on EPA guidance for reducing PFAS in biosolids. Wildlife: Arkansas refuge expansion, new research into declining mallard populations and habitat, and renewed AGFC support for the Bayou Meto project highlight efforts to protect migratory ducks. Environmental Accountability: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin reached a $32 million settlement with Monsanto over environmental contamination. Water Funding: Arkansas voters will consider a ballot issue authorizing up to $500 million in bonds for water, waste-disposal and pollution-abatement projects.

Drought: Warm, dry conditions are worsening drought in southern Arkansas and across the lower Mississippi Valley, even as rain eased conditions elsewhere. Roadside Habitat: ARDOT awarded Arkansas State University $249,000 to study roadside seeding practices, with a focus on improving plant diversity and pollinator habitat. Water Funding: Arkansas voters will decide whether to authorize up to $500 million in bonds for water, waste disposal and pollution abatement. River Development: A Van Buren harbor project moved forward with approval of pre-construction work; the estimated $18.16 million project has faced engineering and environmental reviews. Environmental Cleanup: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin reached a $32 million settlement with Monsanto over environmental contamination.

Wildlife Conservation: The Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Arkansas will grow by 435 acres, adding public access and 1.2 miles of protected riverfront to a key wintering ground for ducks. Data Center Debate: In an Arkansas Third District debate, candidates agreed on the need for AI safeguards; Democrat Robb Ryerse called for a data-center pause until facilities are energy independent. PFAS Oversight: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority has urged the EPA to address concerns in draft guidance on PFAS risks from land-applied sewage sludge. Local Action: Little Rock’s Repair Day will offer free repairs and workshops to keep usable goods out of landfills, while UA Little Rock student groups plan cleanups of Coleman Creek. Pollution Settlement: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced a $32 million Monsanto settlement over environmental contamination.

PFAS and Wastewater: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority has commented on EPA draft guidance for reducing risks from PFAS in biosolids, which can be spread on farmland. Local Cleanup: UA Little Rock student groups will clean Coleman Creek on Oct. 16 and 21 as part of the Great Arkansas Cleanup. Growth and Infrastructure: Northwest Arkansas utility providers and planners say rapid development is outpacing coordination, as the region heads toward an estimated 1 million residents by 2050. Pollution Accountability: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin reached a $32 million Monsanto settlement over environmental contamination. Water and Wildlife: Arkansas voters will decide on a $500 million water bond, while new research tracks declining mallard numbers and habitat needs. Clean Energy: Arkansas is testing a solar project at a rice farm, using local agriculture to help address a key challenge for solar power.

Sustainable Agriculture: Arkansas and Japanese experts at a Little Rock summit called for more training, research partnerships and farmer outreach to help smart technology support sustainable food production. Northwest Arkansas Growth: Regional planners and utility providers say rapid development is making it harder to coordinate infrastructure; the region is projected to reach 1 million people by 2050. Water and Wildlife: Arkansas voters will decide on a proposed $500 million water bond, while new research is examining declining mallard populations and habitat needs. AGFC also renewed its commitment to the Bayou Meto project. Clean Energy: An Arkansas initiative is testing how a local rice farm could help solve a major obstacle to solar power. Pollution Accountability: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin reached a $32 million Monsanto settlement over environmental contamination. Shared Watershed: Tulsa is developing a drinking-water protection plan for the Eucha-Spavinaw watershed, a third of which lies in Arkansas.

Water Protection: Tulsa is developing an 18-month plan for the Eucha-Spavinaw watershed, which supplies drinking water to the city and extends into Arkansas. The effort includes up to 10,000 water tests a year and partnerships across state lines. Wildlife: University of Arkansas at Monticello researchers report that Arkansas’s wintering mallard population fell by more than half from 2016 to 2022; they’re also studying habitat use to inform conservation. Clean Energy: UA researchers plan to test 96 floating solar panels on a rice reservoir near Stuttgart, exploring power generation without taking farmland out of production. Habitat: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission renewed its commitment to the Bayou Meto project, while conservation guidance urges homeowners to leave or mulch fall leaves to benefit soil and small wildlife. Pollution Accountability: Attorney General Tim Griffin secured a Monsanto settlement of at least $32 million, resolving claims over PCB contamination. Water and Parks: Arkansas voters will consider a $500 million water bond, and a $100 million Bezos-backed project is set to turn former highway land in Little Rock into a 20-acre park.

Spring River Bridge: ARDOT is seeking public feedback on plans to replace the Highway 62 bridge in Imboden. A public meeting is set for Oct. 15, and comments are due Oct. 29. Waterfowl Research: University of Arkansas at Monticello researchers estimate Arkansas’ wintering mallard population fell by more than half from 2016 to 2022; the finding does not establish whether the decline has continued. Solar Research: University of Arkansas researchers plan to test 96 floating panels on a rice-farm reservoir near Stuttgart, exploring solar power that doesn’t take farmland out of production. Pollution Settlement: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin secured at least $32 million, potentially up to $80 million, from Monsanto and related companies over PCB contamination claims. Water Funding: Arkansas voters will decide on a proposed $500 million water bond this November.