AGP Executive Report

Water Protection: Tulsa is developing an 18-month plan for the Eucha-Spavinaw watershed, which supplies drinking water to the city and extends into Arkansas. The effort includes up to 10,000 water tests a year and partnerships across state lines. Wildlife: University of Arkansas at Monticello researchers report that Arkansas’s wintering mallard population fell by more than half from 2016 to 2022; they’re also studying habitat use to inform conservation. Clean Energy: UA researchers plan to test 96 floating solar panels on a rice reservoir near Stuttgart, exploring power generation without taking farmland out of production. Habitat: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission renewed its commitment to the Bayou Meto project, while conservation guidance urges homeowners to leave or mulch fall leaves to benefit soil and small wildlife. Pollution Accountability: Attorney General Tim Griffin secured a Monsanto settlement of at least $32 million, resolving claims over PCB contamination. Water and Parks: Arkansas voters will consider a $500 million water bond, and a $100 million Bezos-backed project is set to turn former highway land in Little Rock into a 20-acre park.

Spring River Bridge: ARDOT is seeking public feedback on plans to replace the Highway 62 bridge in Imboden. A public meeting is set for Oct. 15, and comments are due Oct. 29. Waterfowl Research: University of Arkansas at Monticello researchers estimate Arkansas’ wintering mallard population fell by more than half from 2016 to 2022; the finding does not establish whether the decline has continued. Solar Research: University of Arkansas researchers plan to test 96 floating panels on a rice-farm reservoir near Stuttgart, exploring solar power that doesn’t take farmland out of production. Pollution Settlement: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin secured at least $32 million, potentially up to $80 million, from Monsanto and related companies over PCB contamination claims. Water Funding: Arkansas voters will decide on a proposed $500 million water bond this November.

Yard & Wildlife: Arkansas homeowners can help return nutrients to the soil and shelter small wildlife by mowing fallen leaves into lawns instead of bagging them. Solar Research: University of Arkansas researchers plan to test 96 floating solar panels on a rice-farm reservoir near Stuttgart, exploring how solar power could spare farmland while generating electricity. Water & Wetlands: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is urging priority funding for Bayou Meto improvements, which aim to support agriculture, aquifers, flood control and wetland habitat. Urban Green Space: A $100 million initiative backed by Jeff Bezos includes plans to turn a former motorway ramp in Little Rock into a 20-acre park. Water Quality: Arkansas settled Monsanto PCB claims, with up to $80 million earmarked for water quality. Voters will also consider a $500 million water bond this November.

Water and Wildlife: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission urged state officials to make Little Bayou Meto hydrology improvements a top funding priority. The project aims to protect aquifers, reduce flooding and sustain wetlands and waterfowl habitat. Persistent drought is also making it harder and costlier to keep water on duck-hunting areas. Little Rock Green Space: A $100 million Bezos Earth Fund initiative includes a 20-acre park on a former downtown highway ramp, planned to connect more than 100 acres of riverfront green space. Water Quality: Attorney General Tim Griffin announced a $32 million Monsanto settlement over environmental contamination. Arkansas voters will also decide on a $500 million water bond. Air Quality: State officials issued an ozone advisory for Northwest Arkansas, warning that pollution levels could affect sensitive groups.

Waterfowl & Drought: Persistent drought is making it harder and more expensive for Arkansas wildlife managers to flood duck habitat. Low water supplies and thirsty soils mean more pumping — and more diesel — may be needed. Little Rock Green Space: A $100 million Bezos Earth Fund initiative includes a proposed 20-acre park on a former highway ramp, linking downtown green spaces and adding room for recreation and nature. Water Quality: Arkansas has reached a Monsanto PCB settlement worth at least $32 million, with funds earmarked for water quality. Voters will also decide on a proposed $500 million water bond. Air & Forests: Northwest Arkansas received an ozone advisory Friday, with health officials urging sensitive groups to limit time outdoors. Meanwhile, UAM has opened a $17.5 million Forest Health Research Center to support research on Arkansas forests.

Duck Habitat: Persistent drought is making it harder and more expensive for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to keep wildlife areas flooded for duck season. Dry soil quickly absorbs water, and diesel costs make pumping a challenge. Little Rock Green Space: A Bezos Earth Fund initiative is backing plans for a 20-acre park on a former downtown highway ramp, designed to connect more than 100 acres of riverfront green space. Water Quality: Arkansas secured at least $32 million in a Monsanto PCB settlement, with funds earmarked for water quality; voters will also decide on a $500 million water bond in November. Forest Health: The University of Arkansas at Monticello has opened a $17.5 million Forest Health Research Center.

Urban Green Space: Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund is backing an eight-city greening effort that includes a 20-acre Little Rock park on land reclaimed from a highway ramp, linking the Clinton Presidential Center with Riverfront Park and other nearby green space. Air Quality: Arkansas regulators issued an ozone advisory for Northwest Arkansas, warning that levels could affect children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions. Water Funding: Arkansas voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to authorize up to $500 million in bonds for water, wastewater, pollution-control and related projects. Pollution Cleanup: Attorney General Tim Griffin reached a Monsanto settlement worth at least $32 million and potentially up to $80 million over PCB contamination, with funds earmarked for water quality. Trails and Forests: New Lake Maumelle trails open Oct. 19, giving hikers access to 13.5 miles of routes through protected forests and along the drinking-water reservoir; meanwhile, UAM has opened a new Arkansas Forest Health Research Center.

Air Quality: Arkansas’ Division of Environmental Quality issued an ozone advisory for Northwest Arkansas on Friday, warning that pollution could affect children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions. Water Funding: Voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to authorize up to $500 million in bonds for water, wastewater, pollution-control and related projects. Energy Permitting: DEQ granted temporary approval for construction of data-center gas turbines, according to Little Rock Public Radio. Pollution Cleanup: Arkansas’ settlement with Monsanto could provide up to $80 million for water quality following PCB claims. Outdoor Access: A new 13.5-mile trail network near Lake Maumelle opens Oct. 19, linking natural areas and offering views of the watershed that supplies drinking water.

Outdoor Access: A 13.5-mile trail network near Lake Maumelle opens Oct. 19, linking Blue Mountain, Rattlesnake Ridge and Pinnacle Mountain through forest and along the drinking-water reservoir. Water Funding: Arkansas voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to authorize up to $500 million in bonds for water, wastewater, pollution-control and related projects. Climate: September was the planet’s second-hottest on record and the hottest September for the U.S., according to NOAA; January through September also ranked second-warmest globally. Pollution Cleanup: Arkansas has reached a Monsanto settlement worth at least $32 million over PCB contamination, with funds designated for water quality. Forest Health: UAM will host a statewide forest health workshop Oct. 27–28 at its new research center, bringing together researchers, foresters and landowners.

Forest Health: UAM will host a statewide workshop Oct. 27–28 at its new Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, bringing researchers, foresters and landowners together to discuss forest health. Data Center Rules: Fort Smith approved a data-center ordinance but is seeking tighter restrictions. In Pulaski County, land-use planning and resident concerns about hyperscale data centers have become major campaign issues. Water Quality: Arkansas settled Monsanto PCB claims for at least $32 million, with funds earmarked for water-quality efforts. Recycling: Southern Arkansas University was named the 2026 University Recycler of the Year by the Arkansas Recycling Coalition.

Rain and Drought: Recent storms brought at least 2 inches of rain to parts of northern Arkansas, easing dry conditions in some areas. Water Quality: Arkansas reached a settlement with Monsanto over PCB contamination, securing at least $32 million, with up to $80 million earmarked for water-quality work. Forest Research: The University of Arkansas at Monticello opened its new Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, focused on forest health. Pollution Oversight: Arkansas environmental regulators entered air-enforcement agreements with facilities in Pulaski and Hot Spring counties. Recycling: Southern Arkansas University was named the Arkansas Recycling Coalition’s 2026 University Recycler of the Year.

Wildlife Management: Arkansas’s deer program now covers 1.47 million acres across 765 hunting clubs. New drone surveys are helping biologists estimate herds and guide landowners’ management plans. Water Quality: Arkansas will receive at least $32 million in its Monsanto PCB settlement, with reported payments potentially reaching $80 million and funds earmarked for water quality. Biodiversity: Researchers, including an Arkansas State University scientist, identified five new freshwater mussel species in Southern rivers and say their limited ranges call for targeted protection. Forest Health: UAM opened a new research center focused on Arkansas forest health. Pollution Oversight: State regulators and Union Pacific agreed to a consent order over alleged unpermitted sources at a Pulaski County rail repair facility; the order assesses a $1,600 penalty. Data Center Concerns: Residents in Arkansas and Missouri are organizing against a proposed Oregon County data center, while Fort Smith approved a data center ordinance and is seeking tighter restrictions.

Air Quality: Arkansas DEQ and Union Pacific agreed to a $1,600 penalty over alleged operation of unpermitted sources at the railroad’s Pulaski County repair facility. Recycling: Southern Arkansas University was named the state’s 2026 college recycler of the year for campus waste reduction and student-led projects. Data Centers: Fort Smith approved new review requirements for data center proposals, while directors raised concerns about regional water use and called for tighter rules. Wildlife and Drought: Arkansas duck numbers are expected to remain subdued; the state is in its 14th straight month of drought, and breeding-ground pond counts remain below average. Pollution: Arkansas will receive at least $32 million in a Monsanto settlement over PCB contamination. Forest Research: UAM opened a $17.5 million Forest Health Research Center to support work on Arkansas forests. Wastewater Research: Arkansas State received a $177,108 federal grant to study ways to improve sewage-sludge processing and waste-to-energy systems.

Monsanto PCB Settlement: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the state has reached at least a $32 million settlement with Monsanto over PCB contamination claims, with funds restricted for water-quality work. Wildlife & Drought Watch: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reports duck numbers are similar to 2025, but hunters are still facing drought-stressed conditions as the state enters a 14th straight month of low water. Local Infrastructure & Wildlife Safety: Hot Springs Village directors discussed extending a temporary Garland County road sales tax and how coyotes are affecting pets, tying road upkeep to safer travel and local economic development. E-Waste Recycling Win: Buena Vista’s electronics recycling event diverted 13,712 pounds from a landfill, partnering with local groups to keep hazardous materials out of disposal. Forest Health Research: UAM opened the Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, aiming to tackle invasive pests, disease shifts, and climate stressors threatening the state’s forests. Water Affordability Pressure: A national report says water bills have surged 62% over the past decade, calling it a “quiet emergency” for households. Data Center Rules: Fort Smith approved a data center ordinance with added barriers like opaque walls, setbacks, and utility-capacity letters, while board members pressed for tighter limits. Ballot & Water Bonds: Arkansas voters will weigh November ballot issues including a proposed up-to-$500 million water and infrastructure bond.

Forest Health Research: UA-Monticello opened a new Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, a $17.5M facility aimed at spotting and stopping invasive pests and diseases before they hit the state’s $16B forestry economy. Water Quality & Pollution Cleanup: Arkansas is set to receive at least $32M from a Monsanto settlement over PCB contamination claims, with funds restricted to water-quality work. Wildlife Management: Arkansas alligator hunting season kicked off with 150 alligators harvested across three zones, including a public-land quota hit at Millwood Lake that closed that area early. Local Climate Impacts: Colorado’s 2026 “water year” ended as the warmest on record, with officials linking hotter temperatures to reduced water availability and intensified drought. Diesel Costs on Farms: Fresh produce growers say sky-high diesel prices are squeezing margins and could push costs onto consumers. In-Home Pet End-of-Life: CodaPet launched in-home pet euthanasia services in Little Rock, expanding access to end-of-life care at home. Energy & Land Use: Fort Smith is set to vote on new rules adding oversight for proposed data centers, including utility capacity and load information.

Monsanto PCB Settlement: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin says the state has reached at least a $32 million settlement with Monsanto over PCB contamination claims, with funds restricted for water-quality work and potential to rise to $80 million. Alligator Hunting Update: Arkansas Game and Fish reports 150 alligators harvested in the first weekend of the season across three management zones, with Millwood Lake’s public quota reached early and closing that area for the second weekend. Local Water/Energy Oversight: Fort Smith’s board will vote Tuesday on an ordinance adding more review and limits for proposed data centers, including planning-commission input and utility letters on capacity and load. Forest Health Research: UA-Monticello opened a $17.5 million Arkansas Forest Health Research Center to study invasive pests and diseases and build more resilient forests, with researchers already tracking threats like brown spot needle blight. Outdoor Community Notes: Local groups are organizing hikes, wildlife education for teachers, and Ozark Society youth conservation grants across Arkansas.