January 23, 2025
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Download PDF
Senate Bill 84 has been introduced by Senator Blake Johnson of Corning and Representative DeAnn Vaught of Horatio prohibiting moratoriums in watersheds and other bodies of water.
An additional section would be added to Arkansas Code Title 15, Chapter 23, Subchapter 1, which prohibits any state agency including the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment from instituting a moratorium on the issuance of permits in watersheds. The language specifically references the Buffalo River Watershed.
An exception is provided if the agency obtains approval from the Arkansas Legislative Council.
Language in the Bill also specifies that existing moratoriums such as the one applicable to the Buffalo River Watershed are unenforceable on the effective date of the Act. A moratorium is currently in place prohibiting certain swine facilities (i.e., concentrated animal feeding operations) in the Buffalo River Watershed.
Senate Bill 84 has been referred to the Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee.
A copy of Senate Bill 84 can be downloaded here.
The Between the Lines blog is made available by Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. and the law firm publisher. The blog site is for educational purposes only, as well as to give general information and a general understanding of the law. This blog is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Use of this blog site does not create an attorney client relationship between you and Mitchell Williams or the blog site publisher. The Between the Lines blog site should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.