The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is seeking input as it revamps the state’s water plan and develops the state’s first-ever statewide flood plan.
As part of the analysis required by an executive order by Gov. Sarah Sanders, the ag department is asking for help in identifying current water issues, needs and best practicable solutions, according to a Department of Agriculture release issued Thursday.
The state has seen its share of water problems, with fear of aquifers drying up and infrastructure failures such as that experienced recently in Helena-West Helena. Residents there were without water for two weeks following leaks and breaks in lines after severe winter weather damaged an already fragile water system.
The first meeting will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 26 at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Office at 2301 S. University Ave. in Little Rock.
The second meeting will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 27 at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences located at 1371 W. Altheimer Drive in Fayetteville. Additional public meetings will be held over the course of the planning process.
Among those encouraged to attend the meetings are representatives from all water use sectors, including water planning groups, state and federal agencies, legislators and local entities, according to the release.
The update of the Arkansas Water Plan and the flood-plan development is being conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Arkansas Water Plan conserves and protects the state’s water resources. The water plan was last updated in 2014.
