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Buffalo River conservation update: state funds leveraged with USDA grants for watershed projects
Summary
Secretary Wes Ward reported to the committee that $1 million in governor discretionary funds plus partner commitments and USDA grants totaling about $7.7 million are being leveraged for Buffalo River watershed projects; officials said two unpaved‑road projects could move forward quickly while other sites need refinement.
Wes Ward, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and chair of the Buffalo River Conservation Committee (BRCC), briefed the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on watershed projects and funding the BRCC has coordinated since its February meeting.
Ward said the state allocated $1 million from the governor’s discretionary fund and that partner commitments plus USDA programs brought additional resources; he cited a combined USDA contribution of roughly $7.7 million for water‑quality, forest‑health and watershed enhancement projects. The BRCC prioritized proposals for unpaved‑road stabilization and several water and wastewater projects and identified sites that will need further refinement and county commitment before contracts are finalized.
Ward said the BRCC organized subcommittees and stakeholder meetings to shape project priorities and emphasized coordination among the Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Transportation and National Park Service to maximize leverage. He told the committee the BRCC would return with more detailed project agreements and that some projects could be started quickly to provide visible results to local communities.
Legislators representing the watershed praised the collaborative process and urged transparency, follow‑through and a schedule of deliverables. Officials said the BRCC will continue refining site details and asked the committee for feedback on next steps; committee leaders suggested reporting progress at the next meeting to maintain public accountability.
