AGP Executive Report

Data Center Oversight in Fort Smith: Fort Smith’s Board of Directors will vote Oct. 6 on an ordinance that would tighten local control over new data center development, including planning-commission review, full board approval in industrial zoning, an 8-foot opaque perimeter wall, 500-foot setbacks, and utility letters on capacity and proposed energy load. Forest Health Research Boost: UA-Monticello opened a $17.5 million Arkansas Forest Health Research Center to detect invasive insects and diseases earlier, protect the state’s forestry economy, and train students in forest technology, wildlife management, conservation, and environmental science. Invasive Fish Warning: Missouri wildlife officials are urging anglers to kill northern snakeheads—by severing the head, gutting, or sealing in a bag—after a confirmed sighting in Oregon County, warning the invasive predator could spread from Arkansas and harm native fish. Energy Project Lawsuit Limits: Senate negotiators reached a permitting deal that would shorten the deadline for opponents to sue major energy projects to 150 days instead of six years, a move that could reshape how environmental and historic reviews are challenged. Local Housing for Adults with IDD: The Learning Center of Northeast Arkansas announced “The Village of TLC,” a $6 million project in Jonesboro with 20 accessible apartments, supported by a $1.5 million gift from the Chris and Jamie Fowler family.

Invasive Species Alert: Missouri officials say the northern snakehead—an air-breathing, land-walking invasive fish spreading from Arkansas—has been confirmed in the state’s Eleven Point area, urging anglers to kill it by severing the head, gutting it, or sealing it in a bag. Local Conservation & Safety: Hot Springs National Park is hosting a free Hot Springs Water Festival Oct. 10, spotlighting local springs, watersheds, and conservation partners. Public Lands Preparedness: Buffalo National River will station volunteer preventative search-and-rescue teams at select trailheads this fall to help visitors plan safer hikes and water trips. Arkansas Research & Forestry: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and UAM leaders opened the Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, a $16.8 million facility focused on forestry and waterfowl. Community Water & Resilience: A North Carolina food bank installed a solar microgrid to keep freezers and coolers running during grid outages—an example Arkansas groups may watch as extreme weather strains services.

Invasive Species Watch: Missouri officials say the northern snakehead—an air-breathing, land-walking invasive fish—has reached the state via the Eleven Point River system, urging anglers to kill any they catch by severing the head, gutting it, or sealing it in a bag. Public Lands Safety: Buffalo National River is stationing volunteer Preventative Search and Rescue teams at select trailheads this fall to help visitors plan safer hikes and water trips. Arkansas Water & Cleanup: Attorney General Tim Griffin announced Arkansas will receive at least $32 million (up to $80 million) from Monsanto to resolve PCB contamination claims, with funds restricted for water-quality work. Forestry Research Boost: The University of Arkansas at Monticello opened the Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, a $16.8 million facility aimed at tackling forest health challenges and training future forestry professionals. Wildlife & Health: A lone star tick bite is linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a growing meat allergy affecting more people as tick exposure rises.

Monsanto PCB Settlement: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the state will receive at least $32 million and possibly up to $80 million from Monsanto to resolve claims tied to polychlorinated biphenyl contamination, with the funds restricted to water-quality work. Local Wildlife & Invasive Species: Missouri wildlife officials urged anglers to kill northern snakehead fish caught in state waters, warning the invasive predator could harm native fish and spread from Arkansas. Research & Forestry: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman helped open the $16.8 million Arkansas Forest Health Research Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, aimed at tackling forest health threats and training future foresters. Water & Conservation Events: Hot Springs National Park will host a free Hot Springs Water Festival Oct. 10, featuring spring-water tastings and programs focused on local watersheds and conservation partners. Urban Greening: Dunbar Garden in Little Rock is offering free trees, highlighting shade and air-quality benefits from sustainable urban planting.

Arkansas Environmental Accountability: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced a settlement with Monsanto and affiliates over PCB contamination, with the state set to receive at least $32 million and potentially up to $80 million, with funds restricted to water quality work. Local Conservation & Research: The University of Arkansas at Monticello opened the $16.8 million Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, backed by state leaders, to tackle forest health, wildlife habitat, and rural forestry challenges. Wildlife at the Human Edge: A video from South Carolina shows an eastern diamondback rattlesnake swimming across a backyard pool—an eye-opener for how quickly habitat can overlap with homes. Public Land Access: Arkansas Game and Fish volunteers helped clear trails, boat lanes, and obstructions at multiple wildlife management areas, supporting hunting and access. Climate & Agriculture Impacts: A report on European hop growers links heat and drought to lower yields and reduced alpha acids—another sign of climate pressure on food and drink supply chains.

Water Quality Settlement: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced a settlement with Monsanto over PCB contamination, with the state set to receive at least $32 million and possibly up to $80 million, with funds restricted to water-quality work. Forest Health & Jobs: The University of Arkansas at Monticello opened a new Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, aiming to boost forestry research, train professionals, and tackle rising forest-health pressures. Climate Impacts on Food: A Wired report says heat and drought are already cutting European hop yields and alpha-acid levels, with projections pointing to bigger losses by 2050—an early warning for climate-sensitive crops. Air Compliance: ADEQ and a Hot Springs aircraft-parts facility entered a consent administrative order over alleged air-permit violations, including recordkeeping and reporting issues. Public Land Access: Arkansas Game and Fish is expanding volunteer workdays at multiple wildlife management areas to clear access routes, boat lanes, and obstacles that hinder management and prescribed fire.

Air Quality Enforcement: ADEQ and AAR Component Services in Hot Springs entered an Aug. 14 consent administrative order over alleged air-permit violations, including missed NESHAP requirements and recordkeeping/reporting problems tied to emission limits and opacity rules. Clean Water & Public Access: Volunteers are clearing paths and removing obstructions at multiple Arkansas wildlife management areas to improve access, boat lanes, and support activities like prescribed fire. Maternal Health Funding: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America announced $10 million in state grants tied to rural maternal health efforts, including Arkansas. Grid & Energy Demand: DOE selected 31 reconductoring projects across 26 states, boosting transmission capacity without new land—explicitly linked to rising AI data center power needs. Wildlife/Outdoor Recreation: Fayetteville’s Bryce Davis Park reopened after about three years of improvements, adding shade, access, and upgraded amenities. Local Sustainability/Reuse: A Salida nonprofit is making bikes more affordable and keeping them out of landfills through refurbishment and community repair support. Education Policy: A bipartisan bill led by Sen. Tom Cotton would fund states that ban student cellphone use during the school day.

Clean Water & Community Action: ARDOT, Keep Arkansas Beautiful, and AG Tim Griffin are teaming up for a Fourche Creek litter cleanup at Benny Craig Park (Little Rock) from 9–11 a.m. Oct. 2, with volunteers removing trash that can wash into waterways. Maternal Health Funding: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America announced $20 million in catalytic grants—$10 million for Arkansas and $10 million for Kentucky—aimed at expanding maternity care, strengthening postpartum support, and improving rural outcomes over five years. Local Parks & Shade: Fayetteville’s Bryce Davis Park reopened after about three years of improvements, adding more shade and better access through community-driven planning. Sustainable Building Materials: Modern Mill in Pike County is turning rice husks into ACRE building material, aiming to cut waste from a major Arkansas-region crop. Wildlife & Water Conditions: Colorado lifted a voluntary fishing closure on the Arkansas River tailwater after cooler conditions improved for fish health, while monitoring continues.

Fourche Creek Cleanup: ARDOT, Keep Arkansas Beautiful, and AG Tim Griffin are teaming up for a litter-and-water quality cleanup at Benny Craig Park in Little Rock (9–11 a.m. Oct. 2), with volunteers removing trash that can wash into storm drains and creeks. School Tech Policy: Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) unveiled a bipartisan bill that would reward states for banning personal cellphones during the school day, with exceptions for medical and special education needs. Arkansas Food Safety Research: U of Arkansas researchers report that cleaning food-contact surfaces before sanitizing can boost pathogen removal to nearly 100%, especially on porous materials used in produce packing. Drought Watch: A national drought update highlights intensifying conditions in Oklahoma and shifting rain patterns tied to El Niño, with some Southwest areas seeing heavy rain while others stay dry. Local Industry & Jobs: SANY Nutrition Group opened a new Jonesboro manufacturing facility (over $30M investment), starting production of protein snacks and launching its Beyond Resilience brand in Walmart stores.

Economic Education: An Arkansas classroom economics push highlights why early financial literacy matters, arguing that students need to understand scarcity, risk, and supply-and-demand—not just “checklist” money skills. Fishing & Wildlife: October fishing coverage spotlights smallmouth bass on the Buffalo National River and a Lake Hamilton Black Bass World Championship with anglers from 23 nations, while a separate report warns waterfowl numbers are slipping and hunters may need to adjust. Homelessness & Community Services: The Reach Center in Baxter County will hold a ribbon cutting Oct. 15 for a reopened shelter serving children and full families, after construction delays and limited seasonal operations. Food Security: Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and Feeding America food banks released the Arkansas Hunger Continuum, finding 37% of Arkansans lack enough food, despite increased charitable distribution. Farm & Energy Costs: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ red dyed diesel deregulation is easing fuel costs for Arkansas farmers, though timing is still a problem for some. Conservation Leadership: Northwest Arkansas Land Trust CEO Grady Spann retires Oct. 1, with Marson Nance named successor.

Drone rules in court: A coalition of 15 states and Harris County sued the FAA over its environmental review for expanded commercial drone package delivery, arguing the agency didn’t properly analyze safety and environmental impacts. Septic pollution warning: A home inspector’s “greener patch” of lawn led to a septic dye test that showed wastewater escaping in about 15 minutes—another reminder that failing septic systems can quickly contaminate yards and soil. Arkansas health funding: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced $54.6 million in Rural Health Transformation Program grants, including projects tied to healthy eating, active recreation, workforce training, and rural hospital support. Nature-based solutions spotlight: The Walton Family Foundation launched “Human Nature,” a multimedia series highlighting how nature-based solutions—like wetlands and oyster reefs—can reduce flood risk and improve water quality, including examples tied to the Arkansas Delta. Conservation leadership change: Northwest Arkansas Land Trust CEO Grady Spann will retire Oct. 1, with Marson Nance named successor. Fish habitat work: Colorado Parks and Wildlife added about 220 native boulders to the Arkansas River to improve trout habitat and connectivity ahead of spawning season.

Drone Delivery Fight: A coalition of 15 states and Harris County sued the FAA over its environmental review for expanded commercial drone package delivery, arguing the agency didn’t properly analyze safety risks and other environmental impacts; the case is filed in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Rural Health Funding: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced $54.6 million in Rural Health Transformation Program grants, aiming to strengthen rural hospitals and services across all 75 counties over five years. Water Quality Update: Arkansas officials lifted a harmful algal bloom advisory for Lake Sophia in Hot Springs Village after toxin levels dropped to safe recreational levels; other nearby lakes still have advisories. Fish Habitat Work: Colorado Parks and Wildlife added about 220 native boulders to Arkansas River sections to improve trout habitat and connectivity ahead of spawning season. Clean Water Rules: Arkansas’ public comment period on a supplemental WOTUS proposal ends Oct. 9, as EPA and the Army Corps seek input on updated definitions that determine which waters get Clean Water Act protections. Rural Climate Context: A Four States Region rain forecast offers some relief from drought, but forecasters say it won’t erase the accumulated deficit.

Water Quality Watch: Arkansas lifted a harmful algal bloom advisory for Lake Sophia in Hot Springs Village after toxin levels dropped to safe recreational levels, though advisories remain for several other nearby lakes. Clean Water Rules: The U.S. EPA and Army Corps ended a new round of public comment on a supplemental WOTUS proposal, keeping the fight over which waters get Clean Water Act protections front and center for Arkansas agriculture and landowners. Drone Delivery Review: A coalition of 15 states, including Arkansas, sued the FAA over an environmental review tied to expanding commercial drone package delivery rules, arguing the agency didn’t properly assess environmental impacts. Energy & Pollution Policy: The Trump administration released new fuel economy standards that relax pollution controls for gasoline vehicles, a move environmental groups say will increase planet-warming emissions. Deep-Sea Mining Push: Former ExxonMobil executive Liam Mallon joined a board as a company advances plans for seabed mining, part of a broader push for critical minerals. Local Conservation Education: Clarksville High School is working toward an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission School of Conservation Leadership designation, adding habitat and water-quality projects to student learning.

Drought Watch (Four States Region): The National Weather Service says a rain push could bring 2–3 inches across parts of the region this week, but it likely won’t erase the drought deficit because hard, compact ground will shed much of the water instead of soaking it in. Community & Early Learning (Northwest Arkansas): Arkansas Imagination Library received a $60,000 grant from the Arkansas Community Foundation to build a long-term fund supporting Benton and Washington counties as program costs rise. Wildlife Conservation (Great Plains): The plains spotted skunk is being reviewed for possible Endangered Species Act protection after researchers say sightings are becoming harder to detect in parts of its range. Clean Air/Water Policy (Drone delivery): California AG Rob Bonta joined a multistate lawsuit arguing the FAA didn’t properly assess environmental impacts of expanding commercial drone package delivery. Energy & Water (Arkansas turf): Researchers are testing “bluemuda” turfgrass mixes to keep fields greener year-round while cutting irrigation and overseeding needs in transition-zone states like Arkansas. Local Power & Growth (Arkansas): A new nearly $3 million U.S. Department of Education grant will fund an interprofessional AI simulation center at UA Little Rock to train students through immersive practice before internships and clinical work.

Arkansas River Water Quality: Four weeks after the Pueblo sewage spill, E. coli is still above Arkansas swim standards at nearly every sampling site from Pueblo to Holly, with rain blamed for repeated spikes and even the river below John Martin Dam now failing. Local Education & Health Workforce: UA Little Rock won nearly $3 million to build a new interprofessional AI simulation center to help students practice real-world skills before internships and clinical work. Arkansas Energy & Grid: DOE awarded $1.9 billion for transmission upgrades under SPARK, aiming to add power capacity and cut congestion—an issue Arkansas families and businesses feel when reliability and costs rise. Arkansas Community Support: Summit Utilities handed out $175,000 in Summit Cares grants to dozens of nonprofits across Arkansas and Texarkana, focusing on food insecurity, youth, and community needs. South Arkansas Lithium Update: Smackover Lithium amended its South West Arkansas offtake deal, adding up to 4,000 metric tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year to support debt financing and production. Wildlife & Outdoors: Arkansas hunters harvested 150 alligators in the first weekend of the Sept. 18-21 season, with Millwood Lake’s new public quota filled quickly.

Energy & Jobs: A new Arkansas economic push is being framed as depending on continued access to affordable, reliable electric power—site-selection consultants say without available power, expansions get cut. Education & Families: As Arkansas implements the LEARNS Act and universal school choice, a new look at how families should evaluate day-to-day learning, safety, support, and fit is prompting more switching conversations. Water Quality Watch: Four weeks after the Pueblo sewage spill, E. coli remains above Arkansas River swim standards at nearly all sites from Pueblo to Holly, with rain and runoff still driving spikes. Wildlife & Habitat: Arkansas Game and Fish released 2026-27 hunting regulation updates, including new WMA openings and changes to bicycle access and chronic wasting disease rules. Conservation in Action: Wild Connections is returning to Chubb Park for a second phase of fence removal to improve wildlife movement for elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. Local Public Service: Clinton School MPS students are partnering with nine Arkansas organizations on 2026-27 practicum projects spanning healthcare, education, energy, and economic development. Health Policy: Federal medical marijuana rescheduling is expected to change taxes and operations for Arkansas dispensaries as patient numbers rise and sales shift.