Arkansas Multi-Agency Wetland Planning Team

ABOUT US

Federal, state and local agencies have complementary responsibilities in wetland management. At the federal level, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Geological Survey-Biological Resources Division (USGS-BRD), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) all play important roles. In Arkansas, no fewer than seven state agencies have direct responsibilities for water resources, while none has discreet wetland authority. There is no state natural resource planning office and no state natural resources plan. Agencies are traditional, client-captured organizations with separate commissions, some of which are constitutionally independent. Development of comprehensive water code legislation, begun in the 1980s, continues to define agency water authorities. Generally, water quantity is the responsibility of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC), and water quality that of the Arkansas Department Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) may protect unique and rare wetland types. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) may monitor wetland-dependant wildlife habitat. Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) manages forested wetlands subject to timber harvest. Rural landowners are direct clients of all the natural resources agencies. Except for reservoir or water supply development, there is little history of regional land use planning. However, strong partnerships with federal agencies and interagency cooperation and information exchange results in more coordination than indicated by the traditional organizational structure.