Little Rock, Arkansas – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has successfully completed the first phase of the Arkansas Water Plan (AWP) update. This effort, directed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders through Executive Order 23-27, marks a significant achievement in the development of a comprehensive strategy for managing the state’s water and land resources, ensuring benefits for all Arkansans.
“Every Arkansan deserves access to safe, reliable drinking water. My administration’s ongoing review and update of our Arkansas Water Plan is key to that goal,” stated Governor Sanders. She emphasized the importance of this milestone in the overall plan and expressed eagerness to move forward with the next phase while continuing to invest in necessary improvements statewide.
A Proactive Approach to Water Management
Governor Sanders has been praised for her proactive stance on water issues, with Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward highlighting her leadership in this area. “Governor Sanders has been the most proactive Governor in the country in addressing water issues,” Ward said. He pointed to several initiatives under her administration, including the signing of Executive Order 23-27, which set the AWP update in motion, the initiation of a statewide levee inventory and analysis to mitigate future flooding, and efforts to address critical groundwater issues for agriculture. Additionally, the administration has overseen over $2.5 billion in water development projects across all 75 counties in Arkansas.
Comprehensive Review and Stakeholder Engagement
Phase I of the Arkansas Water Plan update involved a thorough review of the existing plan to identify areas requiring reevaluation or updates. This phase was critical in setting the stage for a more effective and comprehensive water management strategy. Between March and May 2024, seven stakeholder meetings were held across the state to gather input and insights from various communities. Additionally, a stakeholder survey was distributed to encourage citizen feedback, ensuring that the plan reflects the current needs and concerns of Arkansans.
The data collected during Phase I has been instrumental in shaping the goals for the updated Arkansas Water Plan. These goals focus on several key areas, including ensuring access to safe drinking water, supporting environmental and economic benefits, using the best available science and technology for water management, maintaining and improving infrastructure, protecting water quality, and reducing the impacts of future flooding events.
Goals for the Arkansas Water Plan Update
The completion of Phase I identified six primary goals for the Arkansas Water Plan update:
- Ensure access to safe drinking water to support public health and well-being.
- Support environmental and economic benefits and uphold interstate agreements.
- Utilize the best available science and technology for current and future water resource planning and management.
- Maintain and improve water-related infrastructure and plan for future needs, including wastewater, stormwater, and flood control systems.
- Protect and improve water quality to support designated uses of water bodies.
- Mitigate the impacts of future flooding events on people, property, infrastructure, industry, agriculture, and the environment.
Looking Ahead to Phase II
With Phase I now complete, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is preparing to embark on Phase II of the update process. This phase is scheduled to begin before the end of the 2024 calendar year and will continue building on the foundational work established in Phase I.
The Arkansas Water Plan update represents a critical step forward in ensuring the state’s water resources are managed effectively and sustainably for the benefit of all residents. As the state moves into Phase II, continued collaboration, innovation, and investment will be essential to achieving the goals set out in this comprehensive plan.
