25-02-2025
New bill introduced in Arkansas legislature to end Buffalo River, watershed protections
Video: Future of Buffalo National River discussed in Marshall
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A bill introduced in the Arkansas legislature on Tuesday would end a practice used to protect Buffalo River and other watershed protection.
was introduced by Sen. Black Johnson (R-Corning) to prohibit moratoriums on issuing permits in watersheds by state agencies if it becomes law. The bill makes a slight change from an earlier bill Johnson filed with the same intent, Senate Bill 84, introduced in January.
Bill introduced in Arkansas legislature to end Buffalo River, watershed protections
SB290 would allow moratoriums if the Senate and House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development committees approve them for a year at a time. The previous bill did not have this provision but instead required Legislative Council approval.
SB84 remains stalled in committee.
Arkansas reaches deal to shutter hog farm near Buffalo River
The state currently maintains a temporary moratorium on issuing new permits for medium and large confined animal feeding operations along the Buffalo River. The Department of Environmental Quality initiated the moratorium in 2014 after environmental concerns about the waste generated by a large-scale hog farm near the river. The farm closed in late 2019 when the state purchased its assets.
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