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Senate committee approves bill moving liquid-animal-waste oversight from ADEQ to ANRC amid environmental concerns
Summary
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted to advance SB550, which transfers oversight of liquid livestock litter from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. Supporters called the change an efficiency measure; opponents warned it weakens Reg 5 protections and could reduce public notice and technical safeguards.
The Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 550 as amended, moving oversight for certain liquid livestock litter activities from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.
Sponsor Senator Stubblefield said the measure is intended to streamline permitting and reduce duplication for farmers who now must work with multiple agencies. "This has nothing to do with CNH," he told the committee, adding the change is about efficiency and simplifying where farmers go for a permit.
Supporters called the change practical for family farms. Farmer John Bailey told the committee the current system forces some operations to navigate two or three agencies and multiple plans, and said ANRC already works with the University of Arkansas on technical matters such as the…
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