Arkansas State Water Plan

[DeBo]

The new plan is in! Comments are due in October. Stay tuned to this thead for upcoming information on scheduled hearings and talking points. Recreation and tourism is huge economic driver for Arkansas and we all want to be sure that we continue to have access to abundant water of high quality flowing in ecologically healthy streams. Check out the new plan and get familiar with the process at:

http://www.arwaterplan.arkansas.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DeBo]

Water Plan Update Public Meetings Scheduled,
All Comments Due October 24th


Seven public meetings have been scheduled throughout the state by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) to receive comments regarding the Arkansas Water Plan Update Draft Executive Summary. The meetings are set for September, but comments on the Executive Summary will be accepted through Oct. 24, 2014. Meeting dates and locations are listed below. The Executive Summary is on the Water Plan Update website http://www.arwaterplan.arkansas.gov" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
Comments from the public can be made verbally or in writing during the meetings, emailed toarkansaswater@cdmsmith.com, or mailed to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Attention Water Plan, 101 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 350, Little Rock, AR 72201.
After the deadline for comments has expired, a Final Executive Summary will be prepared and submitted to the ANRC Commission in November. The Commission will then consider rule-making for implementing the recommendations in the Plan.

In addition to public meetings, representatives from ANRC will be speaking to dozens of organizations throughout the state to explain the key points of the Water Plan Update Executive Summary. If you have questions about the Executive Summary, or if you would like an ANRC representative to speak to your organization, call the agency at (501) 682-1611.

Water Plan Public Meeting Schedule


Sept. 3, Stuttgart, 10 a.m., Grand Prairie Center, Phillips Community College, U of A, 2807 Highway 165 South

Sept. 4, Jonesboro, 9 a.m., Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, 1709 East Nettleton

Sept. 5, Russellville, 10 a.m., Lake Point Conference Center, 171 Lake Point Lane, Training Room C

Sept. 15, Smackover, 1 p.m., Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, 3853 Smackover Highway

Sept. 16, Texarkana, AR, 10 a.m., Southwest Arkansas Electric Coop, 2904 East Ninth St., (must park in designated areas)

Sept. 17, Little Rock, 2 p.m., Central Arkansas Main Branch Library, 100 Rock St., Darragh Center Auditorium

Sept. 19, Fayetteville, 10 a.m., U of A Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center, Room 109, 1335 West Knapp

[stanleyjs]

are these public meetings information sessions or are they for public discussion of the proposed updates??

[DeBo]

There will be a presentation on the new plan and opportunities for people to ask questions. According to the release above, both oral and written comments will be taken at the meetings. Written comments will be accepted until Oct. 24th.

I will post some suggested comments soon.

[DeBo]

The last round of public meetings on the Arkansas Water Plan Update are being held around the state this week. Please attend. If you have not had a chance to review and comment on the Plan now is your chance. A link to the draft update can be found here: http://www.arwaterplan.arkansas.gov/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Two areas to highlight are:
The Update addresses water quantity issues thoroughly, however it does little to address water quality issues.
Section 3.3 proposes removal of the 25% rule that governs the use of excess water in the state before a sound scientific process has determined the amount of excess water in the stream or river.



Sept. 17, Little Rock, 2 p.m. Central Arkansas Main Branch Library, 100 Rock St., Darragh Center Auditorium

Sept. 19, Fayetteville, 10 a.m., U of A Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center, Room 109, 1335 West Knapp