Summary of Arkansas’ Surface and Ground Waters: Quality, Uses, and Supply

Arkansas’ nickname, the Natural State, could easily be applied to many of its surface waters. The northern Ozark Mountains are the origin of rivers designated “extraordinary resource waters” by the state, and the Boston and Ouachita Mountains both have exceptionally high quality water. However, the natural variation of Arkansas’s landscape has also endowed the state with a variety of resources - river valleys and rich soils - which have long been put to use for development, animal husbandry or crops - sometimes to the detriment of its water quality.

Impacts to surface water quality have been greatest in the Arkansas River basin, which is urbanizing rapidly and experienced a rapid expansion of confined animal operations in the 1990s. These factors combined with highly erosive soils often lead to high levels of long-lasting turbidity. These problems, along with removal of gravel, are the same ones that cause water quality problems in the extraordinarily clean spring-fed waters of the Ozark highlands in northern Arkansas. In southern Arkansas, where the dominant resource harvested is timber, water quality impairments stem mainly from historical mining and extraction activities.

While agricultural activities have been the major source of waterbody impairment in the Razorback state, in recent years overall surface erosion - not solely due to agriculture - has caused high stream turbidity. Impaired waters in the row-crop dominated Delta and relatively new TMDLs (or “total maximum daily load” standards for pollutants in waters that do not meet state water quality standards Compiled List of Arkansas TMDLs) have spurred the formation of watershed groups to address these problems through improved management, habitat restoration and education. However, “the vast majority of waterways in this region form a network of extensively channelized ditches,” according to the Arkansas Dept. of Environmental Quality’s 2008 water quality report. About this area, the agency states, “the best that can be expected in terms of a fishery is an altered fishery. Once a natural stream has been channelized, only those organisms which do not require in-stream cover and can exist in highly turbid waters will survive. Within these systems the fishable goal of the Clean Water Act is being met, even though the aquatic life communities have been substantially altered.”

Approximately 60% of total water use in Arkansas comes from ground water. Shallow, freshwater aquifer systems are found throughout Arkansas, and comprehensive sampling of the aquifers was completed in 2006. Both nonpoint and point sources of contamination occur in Arkansas, as well as overdrawn aquifers. In eastern Arkansas, the Mississippi Alluvial Valley aquifer and the Sparta aquifer are the most important, together supplying more than 95% of water used in this region.

However, aquifer water levels have declined and large “cones of depression” have developed in several areas. A cone of depression is a depression in a water table caused by a pumping well. This level of use is unsustainable and 11 counties have been designated as critical ground water areas for both aquifers.

The Groundwater Section of the Department of Environmental Quality is currently developing statewide groundwater standards and guidelines for management of remediation projects. For more information, see the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report of 2008.

Another concern was recently highlighted by researchers at the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. At current and projected rates of use including water export to other states, the Diamond State “will not be in a position to provide water to all the potential claimants outside the state and still have adequate flows for expanded uses within the state.”

An excellent and detailed source of information is ArkansasWater.org, self named “Your one-stop for Arkansas water quality information.” The website compiles and shares water quality information and resources. It is a collaborative effort to which many people and agencies have contributed.

For just about every form of agricultural or habitat manipulation, there are “best management practices” designed to maintain water quality and avoid negative impacts. BMPs, as they are called, are sometimes voluntary, as they apply to water, and sometimes regulatory. For example, a minimum level of BMPs are required on land that receives cost share under the Conservation Reserve Program.

Developed by experienced practitioners or management and research organizations, BMPs are tested and based upon the best available science. BMPs will often save landowners money in the long term even as they improve conditions for wildlife and people in the short term.

Courtesy Exams
Arkansas BMP staff offer water quality courtesy exams as a public service. The objective is to convey a BMP/Water Quality Plan that addresses the BMPs needed to ensure water quality protection during an activity. An on-site training of landowners, logging contractors, road contractors, site-preparation contractors and foresters ensures everyone involved in the activity is aware of the applicable BMPs for the operation. Courtesy exams are simply to provide assistance. BMP staff will not enforce implementation of any recommendations. Click here to contact BMP staff.

The following are a selection of BMPs culled from various national, regional, state and local sources. Each is available for download as a pdf.

This factsheet explains the results of a study and guidelines for using bermuda sod pasture as a means of removing P from soil by adding only N and K, then removing the forage to sites low in soil P. Read More »


This Univ. of Arkansas fact sheet explains “Testing soil for nutrients is an integral part of nutrient management planning for the use of animal manure as fertilizer.Nutrient management planning has been adopted as a requirement in virtually all the state and federal environmental laws related to confined livestock operations in Arkansas.” These include State regulation #5 and state laws defining nutrient sensitive areas, as well as the Federal Animal Feeding Operation Regulation. Read More »


This factsheet explains soil phosphorus or "P" numbers, the concerns about phosphorus, and suggested BMPs for managing phosphorus in the soil.


This 5-pager defines BMPs, explains how they are developed and gives a good overview of low-cost BMPs related to nutrient management and filter strips as well as BMPs that could require cost-share related to stream protection.
Read More »


Explains the objectives and benefits of developing a nutrient management plan.  Federal law requires plans for all concentrated animal feeding operations and the northwest Arkansas counties with areas designated as “nutrient sensitive” also require nutrient management plans.

Read More »


Discusses grass, 3-zone, 2-zone, wildlife, urban and naturalized buffers and recommendations for how to choose, establish and cost-share. Read More »


Defines riparian buffers and discusses various benefits, including property value, wildlife habitat, timber, and recreational/aesthetic/spiritual values.
Read More »


This 26-page booklet introduces the Stream-A-Syst system to help landowners assess and manage their streams.  It contains a worksheet, action plan with recommended steps and sources of information to address various issues, and a visual (photographic) assessment guide. Read More »


This 14-page summary from the Univ. of Ark., Division of Agriculture describes various forms of grazing management that can improve compaction, riparian degradation and runoff from beef cattle operations.  It also discusses management of heavy use areas, carcass disposal and confinement areas.

Read More »


This is a Univ. of Ark., Division of Agriculture fact sheet about the Arkansas Natural Resource Commissions mandate to safeguard water quality in the state.  This sheet contains a map showing the 8 nutrient surplus watersheds originally designated by the Ark. General Assembly in 2003 and updated in 2005.  Within nutrient surplus watersheds, nutrients must be applied by a certified nutrient applicator according to a nutrient management plan developed by a certified plan writer or using   designated conservative nutrient application rates. Read More »


This factsheet from the Arkansas Watershed Advisory Group lists 10 simple but important measures that anyone can undertake, and provides a map overview of Arkansas watersheds. Read More »


This factsheet from the Univ. of Ark., Division of Agriculture delineates nutrient content, application procedures and guidelines for application and storage of poultry litter as a fertilizer and source of organic matter for row crops. Read More »


Regulation No. 5 requires that a permit be obtained from Ark. Dept. of Environmental Quality before the construction and operation of a confined animal operation that uses a liquid waste management system. This means any individual or organization that is currently operating a liquid waste management system must have a permit. The objectives of the regulation are to prevent point source water pollution, to minimize nonpoint source water pollution and to reduce offensive odors produced by confined animal operations.  The factsheet explains permitting and technical requirements of the regulation. Read More »


This Univ. of Ark., Division of Agriculture 4-pager covers three major options for phosphorus planning and management. Read More »


A Univ. of Arkansas, Division, of Agriculture factsheet by Asst. Prof. Dirk Philipp describes riparian vegetation and its relationship to water quality, and options for managing cattle including streambank crossings, partial livestock exclusion, livestock management, offstream watering, and grazing management. Read More »


A practical guide to ways agricultural producers can profit from the growing environmental marketplace from American Farmland Trust, 2010. An in-depth 55-page handbook that introduces and surveys the types of environmental markets, how to get involved including evaluating financial returns and assessing risks, and what farmers and ranchers can do to encourage these markets.

Read More »


This 14-pager from the Univ. of Arkansas Div. of Agriculture summarizes the Arkansas P Index, or API, adopted by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission effective Jan. 1, 2010, which guides the preparation of nutrient management plans in watersheds that are “nutrient surplus areas.”  The API is also part of the nutrient management plans required by the Natural Resources Conservation Service for participation in most cost-share programs.  Any land application of manure in Arkansas generally requires a nutrient management plan and compliance with the API.  This API document covers diversion, fencing, field borders, filter strips, grassed waterways, ponds, riparian forest buffers, fences and herbaceaous cover, and terracing. Read More »


This 30-page document developed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with numerous state and federal agencies, provides a comprehensive overview of recommended voluntary practices for energy companies during exploration, drilling and reclamation activities.  The BMPs help ensure that such activities are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner and address the following issues: migratory, threatened and endangered species; wetlands; geophysical and construction activities; vehicle maintenance and chemical handling; gas condensate, well servicing and solid wastes; chemical controls; transmission lines; storm water; reclamation and abandonment; and good house keeping practices for publicly-owned properties. Read More »


This brief factsheet from the Univ. of Ark defines liquid manure, discusses storage and management options, as well as solids removal and equipment. Read More »


This fact sheet developed by Univ. of Ark at Pine Bluff discusses requirements and considerations for AFOs and CAFOs in vegetation maintenance, space requirements for hogs, and nuisance smell issues. Read More »


This 40+ page booklet, produced by the Kings River Watershed of northeast Arkansas, provides an overview of water quality rules and regulations as well as riverine ecosystems.  Half of the document explains the effects of sedimentation and erosion on stream quality and describes practices to prevent, improve and remediate streamside and riparian zone erosion damage. Practices include easements, riparian buffer zones, engineered streambank restoration and financial/technical resources available to assist in these practices.  Click here to download the book.


This 2011 document from EPA provides an extensive listing of service providers who can assist farm operations in turning waste into energy.  EPA’s AgSTAR Program produces this Industry Directory to assist livestock producers and others involved in developing anaerobic digestion systems to identify consultants, designers, developers, equipment vendors, and other providers of biogas energy services. Read More »


This handbook address potential management actions that can be taken by individuals or groups at
households, businesses, institutions, municipalities, industrial facilities, farms, and construction sites to maintain or improve the water quality of the Illinois River. Read More »


Improved performance at competitive costs is promised by this 2002 EPA publication all about anaerobic digestion and biogas recovery for energy. Read More »


This brief document is full of photos that will help landowners to determine what form of algae they may have.  It describes the major types, their causes, effects, and what can be done to manage algal blooms. Read More »


When managed properly, irrigation of crops with effluent reduces a producer’s reliance on commercial ferti- lizers and helps protect surface and groundwater quality. To use effluent efficiently while avoiding over irrigating it on crop and pasture land, producers must know:
• The N, P and K needs of the crop,based on a realistic goal for yields.
•    The N, P and K in the soil available to the plants before irrigation.
The amounts of N, P and K in the effluent that will be irrigated.
This Texas Agrilife publication tells you how. Read More »


Application of dairy compost for stormwater management and on Dept of Transportation projects. Read More »

The purpose of this guide is to assist private landowners in the conservation and management of Arkansas’ wetlands and associated agricultural lands. It contains information on voluntary programs that provide technical and/or financial assistance for wetland and riparian habitat restoration and agricultural land management activities.

Many different conservation programs are available through various government agencies and private organizations. Detailed program information and agency contacts were combined in this guide to provide a “one-stop” source of information on all wetland-related programs currently available to Arkansas landowners. These programs offer:

• TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE on combining wetland restoration and management with agricultural production, including integrated manage- ment plans for wildlife, forestry, and agriculture.
• FINANCIAL INCENTIVES including cash benefits, improvement cost sharing, tax incentives, conservation easements, and limited develop- ment materials such as water control structures.
   

Read More »


Texas Agrilife summarizes how to use soil, manure and effluent testing to determine  and calibrate land application rates for nutrients. Read More »


A lengthy document from EPA (2004), Managing Manure contains information pertinent to Large CAFOs in the Dairy Cows and Cattle other than Veal Calves and the Swine, Poultry, and Veal Calves subcategories of the final CAFO regulations. Read More »


For horse enthusiasts, veterinarians and operators of boarding stables, handling and disposing of horse manure can pose numerous challenges. Frequently, operators of equine facilities and large-animal veterinary clinics must pay someone to take the manure off the property.  However, there is an excellent way to stimulate demand for a product that would otherwise be a liability. Composting manure can eliminate a messy problem and provide a modest additional income. Read More »


Best Management Practices For: Boarding Stables, Equestrian Centers, Small Farms, Urban Horse Owners, and Kennels.  Developed because animal waste contributes to water pollution when it is improperly stored or left uncovered near small streams and storm drains. During rainfall, without proper precautions it is washed into storm drains and flows untreated, directly into surface waters. Read More »


Best Management Practices For: residential homeowners, small businesses, landscapers, teenagers taking care of lawns as a summer job, golf courses, etc. Read More »


A publication that addresses issues arising when landowners answer “yes” to these questions:
Are you aware of manure sampling and testing procedures?
Do you store livestock waste for longer than 90 days on your property?
Do you store livestock waste for short periods (30 to 90 days) on your property?
Do you store livestock waste closer than 150 feet from any water wells?
Do you use lagoons or detention ponds to store livestock waste?
Are there any abandoned livestock waste storage facilities on your property? Read More »


Texas Agrilife discusses the efficiency, bacteria, management, pumping, salts and pH of lagoon management for poultry and livestock waste.
Read More »


This 1998 document from Florida Dept. of Agriculture provides educational, rather than regulatory, information on pesticide storage, mixing, application and spill management as well as practices for fertilizer, solvents and other chemicals associated with agricultural operations. Read More »


A 50-page document from the Arkansas Forestry Commission gives the definitive treatment for streamside management zones, roads, harvesting, chemical use, site prep, reforestation, fire and soils. Read More »


By: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Nutrient Management is defined as the management of the 4R's of Nutrient Management:Right amount (rate), Right source, Right placement (method of application), Right timing of commercial fertilizers, manure, soil amendments, and organic by-products to agricultural landscapes as a source of plant nutrients while protecting local air, soil and water quality.
 
The corner stone for Nutrient Management is the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 590 Nutrient Management Conservation Practice Standard. Contact John Davis via phone at 202-720-2308, or email j.russell.davis@wdc.usda.gov
 
In addition to the 590 Nutrient Management Standard, NRCS provides further guidance on the application of nutrient management via the National Nutrient Management Policy and National Instruction.
Read More »


Clovers are beneficial additions to many forage programs because of improved forage growth distribution, increased forage yield, increased forage quality and reduced nitrogen fertilizer costs. These benefits lead to increased animal performance and profitability of the livestock enterprise. Winter annual clovers are considered to be better adapted to soil and envi­ ronmental conditions in southern Arkansas than perennial clovers. Perennial clovers are slower to estab­ lish than annuals and are not very long-lived in the hot, humid Coastal Plains region of southern Arkansas.

Because annual clovers complete their life cycle each year, they must be re-established from seed.

Read More »


Pros and cons and essentials for this system.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »


Important personal, feasibility, and financial factors to consider.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »


The basics on “the most important species of aquatic animal commercially cultured in the United States.”  Discusses blue, white, brown bullhead, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, and flathead catfish species.
A list of all Southern Regional Aquaculture Center factsheets (more than 150) are available at https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/
Read More »


The importance of aeration in aquaculture and various methods how to.
The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center also lists all their available factsheets online.  A list of all SRAC factsheets (more than 150) are available at https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »


Advantages and disadvantages of one of the four primary methods of aquaculture: ponds, raceways, recirculating systems or cages.
The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center also lists all their available factsheets online.  A list of all SRAC factsheets (more than 150) are available at https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/ Read More »


Characteristics and requirements of the three most common baitfish in the South:  the golden shiner, fathead minnow or goldfish.The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center also lists all their available factsheets online.  A list of all SRAC factsheets (more than 150) are available at https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/

Read More »


A 20-page report from the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center conducted research in Arkansas and other states to determine actual production costs, breakeven prices, and profits.  Six Arkansas catfish foodfish ponds yielded net results ranging from $80 to $1,847 per acre over a three-year period, averaging $669 per acre.  Two catfish fingerling ponds yielded a net ranging from $1116 to $3132 per acre, and averaging $2073 per acre. Read More »


Discusses general considerations and various designs for such systems. Read More »


This Univ. of Arkansas fact sheet discusses the relationship between the poultry and cattle industry in Arkansas, namely their production and use, respectively, of phosphorus-rich poultry litter.  It concludes, “Inherent in the different grazing techniques is the potential to reduce compaction and improve vegetative surface cover (percent), which has a dramatic impact on runoff, erosion and P loss.”  Inclusion of vegetated buffers can have an even more dramatic impact. Read More »


This Univ. of Arkansas fact sheet discusses benefits and sampling principles for testing poultry litter because, “Applying poultry litter without knowing its nutrient content is similar to applying commercial fertilizer without knowledge of its nutrient content (e.g., % N/P/K).” Read More »


Explains the benefits of using alum for both poultry production and water quality. Read More »


A factsheet that explains the watershed concept and their relationship to hydrological unit codes, or HUC, and water quality management. Read More »


Defines stormwater and its associated management issues and gives guidelines for the use of trees to filter and mitigate the effects of stormwater in developed areas. Read More »


A Univ. of Arkansas fact sheet detailing the water cycle and  little ways to save lots of water at home - both inside and outside. Read More »


Explains how throwing old medicines in the toilet or trash can pollute water, alternatives for disposal and protection for various types of water systems. Read More »


Beyond simply covering poultry mortality with litter, includes water contamination concerns. Read More »

BMPs oriented more specifically toward invasive & native species, farming & agriculture, energy efficiency, forest resources and wildlife habitat management are also available.

The following news articles are provided by the Google News service and do not reflect the views or imply an endorsement by the Arkansas Conservation Center and its affiliates. We cannot guarantee the relevance of the content of this page or any links that may be followed from the articles herein.

New study: Fracking hasn't polluted Arkansas water Wilkes Barre Times-Leader But Avner Vengosh, a Duke University professor of geochemistry and water quality, said making generalizations about fracking in Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Colorado doesn't make scientific sense. "Each basin will have its own dynamics and its own rules ... and more »

---

Groundwater unaffected by shale gas production in Arkansas - EurekAlert! EurekAlert (press release) ... from shale gas production in Arkansas. "Our results show no discernible impairment of groundwater quality in areas associated with natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing in this region," said Avner Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and ... Duke Study Shows No Contamination Near Fracking Wells In ArkansasWUNC all 2 news articles »

---

Water quality monitoring in select watershed project areas in Arkansas Newton County Times (subscription) LITTLE ROCK — Farmers and landowners in Arkansas have until June 14, 2013, to submit applications to receive financial assistance for a new project to monitor edge of field water quality on agricultural lands in targeted watersheds throughout the state.

---

Legislature's political shift evident, advocates say Log Cabin Democrat Glen Hooks, associate regional director for the Sierra Club of Arkansas, said the state's ability to protect it's water resources and air quality took hits during the session. “What happened with the Legislature is, there were a lot of folks huffing ...

---

Pro-Obama Group Launches Attack On Republican “Climate Deniers” TIME Cleanup crews have already recovered about 28,200 barrels of 'oily water' and 2,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and debris, but may still have a long way to go before all of the 22 residents evacuated from Mayflower, Arkansas, can return to their ... and more »

---

Severe Weather For Oklahoma, Kansas Expected In The Wake Of Destructive ... Huffington Post The National Weather Service said severe storms would likely pummel the Ozarks and the middle Mississippi Valley, with northwest Arkansas, far southeast Kansas, southern Missouri, most of Oklahoma and northern Texas facing the greatest risk. "A very ... and more »

---

OGJ Newsletter Oil & Gas Journal The company recovered seven oil samples to surface, one of which it opened for early oil quality assessment that showed 33° gravity oil. The net oil-bearing reservoir is ... The rig will be capable of drilling in about 500 ft of water in harsh ...

---

L'ORAL USA's New Jersey Research & Innovation Facility is Awarded... CSRwire.com (press release) LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resource selection and indoor environmental quality. “Sustainable buildings are an ... In ... and more »

---

Arkansas Landowners Can Help Wildlife with Grassy Waterways - KARK.com KARK "Fortunately for them," said Dirk Philipp, an assistant professor with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, "there is one way to manage both of these problems. Grassed waterway systems are a way to both preserve wildlife and water ...

---

RT

ADEQ continuing to monitor Lake Conway THV 11 The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality continues to monitor water quality in and around Lake Conway to track any potential environmental impact from an oil spill that started in Mayflower on March 29. Since early April, ADEQ has taken samples ... ExxonMobil claims in dispute as spill reaches Arkansas lakeRT Faulkner County Neighbors Don't Believe ExxonMobil's Results - KARK.comKARK Arkansas AG on Why He's Taking Exxon Spill Probe Into His Own HandsInside Climate News Grist -UPI.com -Log Cabin Democrat all 29 news articles »

The Illinois River Watershed in Arkansas

The Illinois River in Arkansas has its source in the northwest corner of the state in the Ozark Mountains of Washington County. It then flows into the state of Oklahoma, where it is a state-designated scenic river popular for its bass fishing, finally flowing into the Arkansas river, which heads back into its namesake state.

Oklahoma has long complained that phosphorus-rich chicken waste, often used as fertilizer, runs off Arkansas farms and into Oklahoma streams. For decades, the states of Oklahoma and Arkansas have clashed over water quality impacts and standards for the river. One lawsuit led to a Supreme Court decision that ruled a downstream state’s water quality laws must be met at the state line. With additional lawsuits filed and at least one agreement between both states concerning phosphorus standards for sewage treatment plants, the controversy continues. The phosphorus standard in Oklahoma has been set at roughly 1/10 the level of phosphorus in the Arkansas portion of the river.

However, federal and state agencies in Arkansas have put numerous programs in place to address phosphorus pollution in the Illinois River. On one hand, limits on treated sewage water emissions from the major and growing urban areas in northwest Arkansas - Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville and Siloam Springs - are in place. In addition, both research and cost-share programs to assist agricultural producers in reducing the runoff of phosphorus and other pollutants derived from poultry litter have increased. Among these are:

• Several 319 grants under the Clean Water Act have studied and improved best management practices for poultry manure management.
• State laws designate northwest Arkansas counties as “nutrient-surplus,” where only those who are certified and trained according to state standards can spread litter; farmers in this area must also follow state-approved nutrient management plans.
• Poultry growers must register with the state to track their poultry concentrations.
• The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, or CREP for the Illinois River Watershed, initiated by USDA in 2009 is providing funds to enroll 15,000 acres in northwest Arkansas in the program.

The Arkansas Illinois River CREP is supported by the Farm Services Agency and the State of Arkansas. It seeks to address Illinois River water quality issues by enrolling 15,000 acres of marginal pasture or farmland in 14 to 15 year contracts. The contracts generally cost-share and require the restoration of riparian areas and grasses that act as filters for runoff and stabilize streambanks, the erosion of which can be a powerful contributor to in-stream pollution.

The USDA estimates the total cost for the Arkansas Illinois River Watershed CREP over the life of the project will be $25 million for a total enrollment of 15,000 acres. The state of Arkansas will contribute about $6 million as support of the overall program cost.

For more information on CRP continuous sign-up which funds riparian and other types of habitat restoration, contact the Farm Services Agency office in Benton County Arkansas.

According to Ducks Unlimited, in most years, Arkansas winters more mallards than any other place in North America. Much of that wintering habitat is located in the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley of eastern Arkansas. The Mississippi River forms nearly the entire eastern boundary of Arkansas and nourishes its floodplain forests, making it of great significance to the state of Arkansas.

The Arkansas State Wildlife Action Plan states, “The Mississippi Alluvial Plain has been widely cleared and drained for cultivation; this widespread loss or degradation of forest and wetland habitat has impacted wildlife and reduced bird populations. Presently, most of the northern and central sections of this ecoregion are in cropland . . .soybeans, cotton and rice are the major crops and aquaculture is also important. Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and livestock waste have degraded surficial water quality.

“Concentrations of total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, sulfates, turbidity, biological oxygen demand, chlorophyll a and fecal coliform are high in the rivers, streams and ditches that flow from this region into the Mississippi River.” Ultimately these pollutants contribute to the Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” caused by excessive nutrient runoff and resulting low oxygen.

Moreover, Old Man River is not what it once was, having been confined, over the past hundred years or so by 1600 miles worth of levees meant to control its flooding. However, in the aftermath of recent flood events and increasing recognition of the value of ecosystem services provided by a functioning river system, recent studies and some organizations have argued for ecological restoration in the form of levee setbacks and large-scale, controlled diversions of water and sediment from the Mississippi River to reconnect it to the delta. There is also a movement to promote natural heritage tourism throughout the lower Mississippi region.

Currently, there are at least nine multi-state or regional initiatives and coalitions that focus on various aspects of conserving or promoting the Mississippi River, and by extension parts of Arkansas State. These initiatives have implications for the citizens and private landowners of Arkansas, some through direct availability of resources and others by shaping the broad nature of development and policy priorities in years to come.

1. Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee
2. The Lower Mississippi River Aquatic Resource Management Plan
3. GreenTrees sucessfully completes planting over 4 million trees
4. Lower Mississippi River Conservation Initiative
5. Mississippi River Commission
6. NRCS Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative
7. Audubon Mississippi River Initiative
8. Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund
9. Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture
10. Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative

Look below for more information on the above topics.

In November of 2009, Secretary Vilsack announced a commitment of $320 million over the next four years for a   Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative to address water quality, wildlife habitat and natural resource conservation concerns in the Basin.   The Agency’s focus will bring badly needed resources to bear on the very serious water quality problems in the Basin.  Read More »

The National Audubon Society is advocating a new vision for the Mississippi River watershedas a connected natural system that deserves greater attention from the nation.

Audubon is advocating a major public investment in the Mississippi River system by Congress and the states to address the biggest challenges: the decline of many birds, other wildlife and their habitats; the loss of riverine and coastal wetlands; and inputs of excess nutrients, mainly from farms, that lead to the huge annual "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.

The program has four goals:

1. Protect and enhance bird species drawn from the Audubon Watchlist and vulnerable common birds tied to five target habitats: Bottomland Forest, Emergent Wetlands, Grasslands, Coastal Areas and Urban Areas.
2. Improve water quality, focusing on reduction of excess nutrients tied to the Gulf of Mexico dead zone.
3. Restore natural hydrology to sustain river functions and reduce loss of coastal wet­lands in Louisiana.
4. Coordinate actions at hemispheric, national, regional, and local scales.

The organization is taking action to restore and protect critical habitat for birds, other wildlife and people on more than 2 million acres in the Mississippi watershed. These Conservation Action Sites are near Audubon Centers and Field Offices with staff and capacity for on-the-ground work.

While not specific to Mississippi, the National Pollution Funds Center administers the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which may be a source of funding for personal damages and ecosystem restoration in Mississippi and other Gulf states in the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon debacle. Discharges of oil into the aquatic environment can be extremely disruptive, causing both direct and indirect injury to living resources and their habitat, with subsequent loss of associated services (e.g., biological productivity and diversity, recreation, sediment trapping, and shoreline stabilization) and economic values. Read More »


GreenTrees. In addition to planting over 4 million trees with 6 million more to be planted in the next few years as part of the NS contract, C2I has done more to change policy than anyone in recent years. For example, in 2008 we got CP31, 23, 23A and 37 incentives changed. The increased incentives announced in this Notice for CP 31, CP23A, CP23 and CP37 (Continuous CRP) are:
A. A one-time Signing Incentive Payment of $100/Acre.
B. A Practice Incentive Payment totaling 40% of the FSA-authorized establishment (tree planting) costs.
C. An additional 20% increase in the per acre soil rental rate paid each year of the contract.

The Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture, or LMVJV, is a self-directed, non-regulatory private, state, federal conservation partnership that exists for the purpose of implementing the goals and objectives of national and international bird conservation plans within the Lower Mississippi Valley region.  It is one of about 24 joint ventures in the United States that has formed to help implement the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), passed in 1989 to reverse the continent-wide decline of waterfowl.  Like all the bird joint ventures, the LMVJV plays a key role in recommending projects for funding under the NAWCA standard and small grants programs.  

The LMVJV partnership is focused on the protection, restoration, and management of those species of North American avifauna and their habitats encompassed by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP); North American Land Bird Conservation Plan; United States Shorebird Conservation Plan (USSCP); North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (NAWCP); and Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI). Collectively, these national and international plans are recognized as the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI).

Joint Venture planning, implementation, and evaluation are specific to Bird Conservation Regions (BCR's) as defined by the U.S. NABCI Committee. The LMVJV’s primary geographic focus is the two BCR's lying entirely or mostly within the LMVJV administrative boundary - the Mississippi Alluvial Valley and West Gulf Coastal Plain. However, Joint Venture planning, implementation, and evaluation extends in varying degrees to the limits of the Joint Venture's administrative boundary.  

The Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee (LMRCC) is a cooperative, nonprofit organization of state and federal agencies working to renew and effectively managie the natural resources of the Lower Mississippi River.

 

The LMRCC has three broad goals that will improve the Lower Mississippi River’s aquatic resources.  These goals are to:  

1. raise public awareness of the River as an ecosystem (most people aren’t aware of the river’s natural resources)  
2. implement sustainable land use changes on the floodplain by working with willing private landowners to reforest marginal agricultural lands, and  
3. increase public interaction with the river by promoting consumptive (hunting and fishing) and non-consumptive (tourism, bird watching, camping, recreational boating, etc.) uses. 

Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, or LCCs, are self-directed partnerships that link science with conservation actions to address climate change and other stressors within and across landscapes. They complement and build upon existing science and conservation efforts — such as fish habitat partnerships and migratory bird joint ventures — as well as water resources, land, and cultural partnerships. Read More »

The Mississippi River Conservation Initiative, or MRCI, is the implementation phase of the LMRCC’s Aquatic Resource Management Plan.

MRCI is comprised of three primary components: 

1. Assessment of conservation needs and opportunities; 
2. Project planning and design; and 
3. Project implementation.  

Through this process the LMRCC, in partnership with a wide array of federal, state, local and non-governmental organizations, will implement projects to restore aquatic habitat, improve water quality and provide sustainable economic development.

MRCI was formally launched in November, 2001 with the first state planning meeting held in Jackson, Tennessee. Meetings were held for Missouri and Kentucky in 2002, in Arkansas and Mississippi in 2003, and in Louisiana in 2004. A total of 239 conservation and habitat restoration opportunities have been identified.  

The Mississippi River Commission (MRC) was established by an Act of Congress on June 28, 1879. Congress charged the MRC with the mission to develop plans to improve the condition of the Mississippi River, foster navigation, promote commerce, and prevent destructive floods—perhaps the most difficult and complex engineering problem ever undertaken by the federal government up to that take.

Read More »

Arkansas seems to straddle a line between the “arid west” and the eastern US where rainfall is “plentiful.” Whether it suits a thrifty inclination to avoid waste and save on water bills or whether motivated by a larger sense of meeting climate challenges, individual households in Arkansas can make a difference by conserving in their everyday water use. In fact, an analysis performed by Tetra Tech consulting firm in 2010 for the Natural Resources Defense Council found that more than 1,100 counties -- one-third of all counties in the lower 48 -- will face higher risks of water shortages by mid-century as the result of climate change. More than 400 of these counties will face extremely high risks of water shortages. In Arkansas, the study projected that at total of 64 counties, or 85% of the total, will be at risk for water shortage, with 24 at extreme risk. The value of all crops produced in those at-risk counties was $2.7 billion.

Water Saving Measures (“BMPs”) for Arkansas Homeowners

• Water your lawn only when it needs it. Deep soak the lawn rather than sprinkling lightly which tends to evaporate quickly.
• Water during the cool part of the day such as early morning. Don't waste water on gutters, driveways, and sidewalks.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch will hold moisture longer and slow evaporation.
• Purchase a rain barrel that captures water from your house gutter for irrigation use during summer.
• Use automatic dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
• Don't let the faucet run when cleaning vegetables or washing dishes. Rinse them in a stoppered sink or pan or clean water. Similarly, don't let the water continuously run when brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. Running tap water to cool it off for drinking is wasteful.
• Check faucets, pipes, and toilets for drips or leaks.
• Install water saving showerheads or flow restrictions.

The following are a selection of BMPs culled from various national, regional, state and local sources. Each is available for download as a pdf.

Discusses grass, 3-zone, 2-zone, wildlife, urban and naturalized buffers and recommendations for how to choose, establish and cost-share. Read More »


This 26-page booklet introduces the Stream-A-Syst system to help landowners assess and manage their streams.  It contains a worksheet, action plan with recommended steps and sources of information to address various issues, and a visual (photographic) assessment guide. Read More »


This factsheet from the Arkansas Watershed Advisory Group lists 10 simple but important measures that anyone can undertake, and provides a map overview of Arkansas watersheds. Read More »


This 40+ page booklet, produced by the Kings River Watershed of northeast Arkansas, provides an overview of water quality rules and regulations as well as riverine ecosystems.  Half of the document explains the effects of sedimentation and erosion on stream quality and describes practices to prevent, improve and remediate streamside and riparian zone erosion damage. Practices include easements, riparian buffer zones, engineered streambank restoration and financial/technical resources available to assist in these practices.  Click here to download the book.


This handbook address potential management actions that can be taken by individuals or groups at
households, businesses, institutions, municipalities, industrial facilities, farms, and construction sites to maintain or improve the water quality of the Illinois River. Read More »


For horse enthusiasts, veterinarians and operators of boarding stables, handling and disposing of horse manure can pose numerous challenges. Frequently, operators of equine facilities and large-animal veterinary clinics must pay someone to take the manure off the property.  However, there is an excellent way to stimulate demand for a product that would otherwise be a liability. Composting manure can eliminate a messy problem and provide a modest additional income. Read More »


Best Management Practices For: Boarding Stables, Equestrian Centers, Small Farms, Urban Horse Owners, and Kennels.  Developed because animal waste contributes to water pollution when it is improperly stored or left uncovered near small streams and storm drains. During rainfall, without proper precautions it is washed into storm drains and flows untreated, directly into surface waters. Read More »


Best Management Practices For: residential homeowners, small businesses, landscapers, teenagers taking care of lawns as a summer job, golf courses, etc. Read More »

Conducting a water audit can help you save money by reducing your home water bill (and sewer bill if you are connected to a public sewer system).  Conducting a water audit will make you aware of how you use your water and help to identify ways you can minimize water use by implementing certain conservation measures.  It is possible to cut your water usage by as much as 30 percent by implementing simple conservation measures and without drastically modifying
your lifestyle.

Read More »


Defines stormwater and its associated management issues and gives guidelines for the use of trees to filter and mitigate the effects of stormwater in developed areas. Read More »


A Univ. of Arkansas fact sheet detailing the water cycle and  little ways to save lots of water at home - both inside and outside. Read More »


Explains how throwing old medicines in the toilet or trash can pollute water, alternatives for disposal and protection for various types of water systems. Read More »

"When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water" – Benjamin Franklin

As many of you already know, the well is running dry. Do you know the worth of water? These days, water conservation is a necessity. There are a number of ways that we can help conserve this valuable and ever dwindling resource. The first step is awareness. The next step is to conduct a home water audit. This simple tool will help you calculate the amount of water your household uses on a given day, and in the process, you will begin to see where water savings can be had. Do you have low-flow toilets installed in every bathroom? Does the landscaping on your property utilize native species or are they non-native water hogs? These are just a few of the water conservation suggestions that will be addressed with your audit and our indoor and outdoor water saving tips.

Daily indoor per capita water use in the typical single family home is 69.3 gallons. Here is how it breaks down: Use Gallons per Capita Percentage of Total Daily Use Showers 11.6 16.8% Clothes Washers 15.0 21.7% Dishwashers 1.0 1.4% Toilets 18.5 26.7% Baths 1.2 1.7% Leaks 9.5 13.7% Faucets 10.9 15.7% Other Domestic Uses 1.6 2.2%

Source: AWWA

Water Savings
The amount of savings depends on current water consumption habits, water, sewer and energy costs, current flow rates of fixtures and flush volumes of toilets, system pressure, and the amount of water leakage through fittings and toilets. Water can be conserved by making improvements in the home or by modifying behavior.

Retrofit or Replace Water Fixtures
Water-saving devices are economical and permanent. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators save valuable water and energy used to heat water without requiring changes in personal water use habits. The following chart highlights how much water can be conserved by installing water-saving equipment in place of conventional plumbing fixtures, fittings and appliances.






Repair All Leaks
A dripping faucet is more than annoying...it is expensive. Even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water. Hot water leaks are a waste of water and of the energy used to heat the water. Leaks inside the toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day. Toilet leaks can be detected by adding a few drops of food coloring to water in the toilet tank. If the colored water appears in the bowl, the toilet is leaking. If you have a leaking faucet or toilet, stop pouring money down the drain and repair it.

How To Save Water In The Bathroom

• When constructing a new home or remodeling your bathroom, install low consumption (1.6 gal/flush) toilets.
• Place a weighted plastic one-half gallon jug or a toilet dam in the tanks of conventional toilets to displace and save water with each flush.
• Install low-flow aerators and showerheads. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and save water and energy.
• Do not let the faucet flow while brushing your teeth or shaving. Use a glass of water for rinsing teeth.
• Take showers instead of tub baths. Consider bathing small children together.
• If your shower has a single-handle control or shut off valve, turn off the flow while soaping or shampooing.
• Leaking diverter valves (valves which divert water from the tub spout to the showerhead) should be replaced.

How To Save Water In The Kitchen And Laundry Room

• Refrigerate a pitcher of drinking water instead of letting a faucet flow until the water is cold enough to drink.
• Use a dishpan or plug the sink for washing and rinsing dishes. Install a low-flow aerator on all faucets.
• Do not pre-rinse dishes prior to loading in a dishwasher. Prerinsing is an unnecessary and wasteful use of water.
• Operate the washing machine and dishwasher only when they are fully loaded.
• Use the proper water level or load size selection on the washing machine.
• When purchasing a washing machine or dishwasher, consider water consumption as well as energy efficiency. Most manufacturers now provide this information to consumers.

How To Save Water Outside The Home
Watering of lawns and gardens can double normal household water use during the hot, dry summer months. At standard household water pressures, a garden hose will discharge up to 10 gallons of water per minute. To apply an inch of water to 1,000 square feet of lawn or garden requires close to 1,000 gallons of water.

Watering should be limited to gardens, and newly planted lawns and landscaped areas. Established lawns and landscape plantings will usually survive without watering. Inadequate watering encourages shallow root growth and increases the risk of mortality. When water is scarce, your community or individual water supply should be reserved for your most essential needs.

• Equip your hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways, steps and sidewalks.
• Water your garden during the coolest part of the day. Do not water on windy days.
• Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and cut down on weed growth.

Tips for the Home Gardener for Efficient Water Use

Water infrequently, deeply, and thoroughly. This will encourage rooting and greater tolerance to dry spells. Plants send out extra roots in dry conditions to seek water. Plants often bloom more profusely when stressed, as the natural instinct to reproduce creates more flowers.

Water responsibly, using correct watering techniques. Water early in the day, especially as the weather warms, to reduce evaporation loss. Water less often for longer lengths of time to encourage deep root growth. Be sure your irrigation system is in proper working condition. If drip irrigation won’t work for you, try a hand held hose rather than a sprinkler.

Properly condition your soil. Water does not easily penetrate clay soils and water passes too quickly beyond the root zone of plants in sandy soil. Adding organic matter to clay and sandy soils will increase the penetrability of clay soils and the water holding capacity of sandy soils. Claybreaker and Ultra-light soil amendments are suggested for proper conditioning.

Mulch soil surface. Mulching cuts down on water loss due to evaporation. A two-inch layer of mulch or compost is recommended. Apply mulches to shrubs, trees, annuals, vegetable gardens, and even containers.

Shelter container plants. To conserve water, move containers to areas with partial shade to keep them from drying quickly in hot windy areas.

Install a drip or other water conserving irrigation system. Slow drip and deep root watering systems can save up to 60% of all water used in garden care. Professionally installed and maintained irrigation systems will further help conserve water.

Discourage water competition from weeds. Keep weeds pulled and reduce the likelihood of them returning by mulching. Consider using landscape fabric between the soil and your mulch to further reduce weeds.

What is a home water audit?
A home water audit is an assessment of how much water is used and how much water can be saved in the home. Conducting a water audit involves calculating water use and identifying simple ways for saving water in the home.

What are the benefits of conducting a water audit? Conducting a water audit can help you save money by reducing your home water bill (and sewer bill if you are connected to a public sewer system). Conducting a water audit will make you aware of how you use your water and help to identify ways you can minimize water use by implementing certain conservation measures. It is possible to cut your water usage by as much as 30 percent by implementing simple conservation measures and without drastically modifying your lifestyle.

How do I calculate water usage in my home?
It is important to realize that water use throughout the year often varies with the season. Most people use more water in the warmer months for gardening, washing cars, and other outdoor uses. If you conduct your water audit in the winter or fall, you should still consider the additional water you use in the summer months. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) estimates that the average indoor water use per person is 94 gallons of water per day; this does not take into account outdoor water use (watering lawns, washing cars).

Calculating water use from your water bill
If you obtain water from a community water system, you probably receive a water bill that tells you how much water you use. Many water utilities provide customers with bills that contain information regarding the amount of water consumed and average daily consumption during the billing period. If the average daily consumption is not provided, you can calculate it by dividing the total amount of water used by the number of days in the billing period. Determine whether your water is measured in cubic meters (m³), cubic feet (ft³), gallons (gal), or liters (L) and convert to gallons.

For converting into gallons, use the following conversion factors:
m³ x 264 = gal
ft³ x 7.48 = gal
L x 0.264 = gal

There are several conversion tools available on the Internet that can be used to make your calculations easier. www.onlineconversion.com/volume.htm or www.mathconnect.com/volume1.htm

Calculating water use with a meter
If your water bill does not provide water consumption data, then you can read your water meter to obtain this information. Water meters measure the total amount of water used in your home and are usually located at the property line or on the house. The meter may measure in cubic meters, cubic feet, gallons, or liters. To obtain your water use over the course of a 24-hour day, read your meter at the same time on two consecutive days. You may want to measure water use for several days and then calculate a daily average.

Estimating water use without a meter
If you do not have a water meter you can estimate your water use. It will be important to measure all water use, indoor and outdoor, to accurately estimate the quantity of water used. To determine how much you consume water in your home it is necessary to measure water flow from each fixture in your house:

• To calculate flow for faucets (indoor and outdoor) and showerheads, turn faucet to the normal flow rate that you use, and hold a container under the tap for 10 seconds and measure the quantity of water in the container. Multiply the measured quantity of water by 6 to calculate the gallons per minutes (gpm).
• To calculate flow for toilets, turn off the water supply to the toilet, mark the water line on the inside of the tank, flush, and then fill tank with water from tap. Measure the volume of water that is required to fill water back up to the water line mark on the tank and record this number. Turn water on to the toilet to resume normal use.
• If your appliances or fixtures are relatively new, you may be able to obtain the flow rate from the manufacturer's specifications. Otherwise, use the following averages:
• Washing machine - 41 gal per use
• Dishwashing machine - 9 gal per use

Next, measure how many times per day or how many minutes each day you use each fixture or appliance. Multiply the water flow per fixture by the minutes per day the fixture is used. Multiply the flow average for each appliance by the number of times the appliance is used each week. Don't forget to include the amount of time you use outdoor faucets each day. The water audit spreadsheet is a useful tool to evaluate water use in the home.

How does my water useage rank?
The average citizen uses about 100 gallons of water per day. This includes indoor as well as outdoor water usage. To calculate the per person daily water usage rate, divide your daily water usage by the number of people in your home, and then look at the following chart to rate your water usage.

Gallons Per Person Per Day	Rank	Comments
< 80 gal/day	Excellent	Wow! You use water wisely.  Please share your conseravtion techniques with friends and neighbors
80-100 gal/day	Good	Good Job!  You use less water than the average citizen
101-120 gal/day	Fair	You use more water than the average citizen
>120 gal/day	Poor	You use a lot of water

The following news articles are provided by the Google News service and do not reflect the views or imply an endorsement by the Arkansas Conservation Center and its affiliates. We cannot guarantee the relevance of the content of this page or any links that may be followed from the articles herein.

Two Rivers Obtains Financing for Arkansas Storage Facility PR Newswire (press release) DENVER, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Rivers Water & Farming Company (OTCQB: TURV) (www.2riverswater.com) announced today that it has been granted a loan from the Colorado Water Conservation Board for the first phase of its 25,000 acre-foot ... and more »

---

Game and Fish Commission OKs Maumelle wildlife area Log Cabin Democrat The Game and Fish Commission and Central Arkansas Water agreed on a 99-year conservation easement. AGFC will pay CAW $1 million in three annual installments with 75 percent of the money coming from federal sources — Pittman-Robertson Act funds ... and more »

---

OGJ Newsletter Oil & Gas Journal The rig will be capable of drilling in about 500 ft of water in harsh conditions, and it will be designed with a maximum total drilling depth capacity of 33,000 ft. An initial 4-year contract is ... Bitumen will claim an increased share of sharply ...

---

Hamel wants to see more ideas for capturing water in upcoming plan Pueblo Chieftain “There is an underlying understanding that storage is needed and it will be a vital component of a state water plan,” said Alan Hamel, who represents the Arkansas River Basin on the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The state has been looking at water ... and more »

---

Globe and Mail

Duck, duck, goose: annual North American head count has begun Globe and Mail But from the passenger seat of a Partenavia twin-engine aircraft, Jay Hitchcock, with the rapid-fire delivery of an auctioneer, catalogues all the birds he sees on the ground and paddling in the water, some 45 metres below. “Redhead ... Flying low ... and more »

---

Inside Climate News

Arkansas Oil Spill Damage Assessment: If Not the Feds, Then Who? Inside Climate News "Ecosystems provide the most basic forms of sustenance for us: our food supply, our drinking water, protection against floods and natural disasters," said John Kostyack, vice president for wildlife conservation at the National Wildlife Federation ... Update on Mayflower Oil Spill: Chemist finds benzene, AG investigates ...Treehugger (blog) all 7 news articles »

---

National Volunteer Week: Arkansas Student Volunteer Finds Career, Wins Award USDA.gov (press release) (blog) Luckily, as a student in a soil and water conservation course at Arkansas State University, Carrell was introduced to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's Earth Team program, which allowed her to combine the two. Earth Team is the ...

---

Game and Fish notebook (May 17, 2013) Russellville Courier Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Deputy Director Mike Armstrong emphasized the importance water plays in the everyday lives of Arkansans. “This water plan will be an important wildlife conservation initiative for setting goals of providing water for ... and more »

---

Mississippi River State Park, Arkansas' Newest, Moves Into New Phase Arkansas Business Online The first phase of development cost $8 million, funded by the state 1/8-cent sales tax for conservation, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and a National Scenic Byways Program grant, Ellison said. When the facilities are complete, the park ... and more »

---

Property owners may get incentives to upgrade wildlife habitat Magnoliareporter Farmers and landowners statewide have until June 14 to submit applications to receive cost-share assistance to implement conservation activities through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) for the 2013 program year. In addition, WHIP funding ... and more »