This agreement provides support to the state of arkansas to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 awarded a Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants (CFDA 66.460) formula grant totaling $7,002,519 to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) effective October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2030. This five-year award supports implementation of Arkansas's EPA-approved Section 319 nonpoint source management program, addressing water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff through fourteen distinct projects. The funded activities encompass structural and non-structural best management practices (BMPs), watershed planning, water quality monitoring, technology demonstrations, streambank restoration, nutrient reduction initiatives, and comprehensive education and outreach programs. ANRC also is revising the Arkansas Nonpoint Source Management Plan as part of this agreement.

ANRC administers subawards to multiple partner organizations executing specific implementation projects across priority watersheds. Key sub-awardees include The Nature Conservancy (implementing water quality improvements in karst focal areas of Northwest Arkansas and stream barrier remediation in the Upper Little Red River Watershed), Watershed Conservation Resource Center (implementing Little Sandy Creek Restoration Phase II), Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (reducing sediment input in Wilburn Creek), Beaver Watershed Alliance (conducting flood assessment and source water protection activities in the Beaver Lake Watershed), Arkansas State University (implementing advanced water quality monitoring in the L'Anguille River), the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture (conducting water quality monitoring in the Upper Illinois River Watershed and Upper White River Basin), and Buffalo Conservation District (providing cost-share support for Little Red River Watershed efforts). These coordinated efforts target measurable pollutant load reductions and restoration of impaired waterbodies through collaborative, watershed-based approaches.

This agreement provides support to the state of arkansas to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from nonpoint sources. Nonpoint source implementation projects include a variety of structural and non-structural best management practices (bmps), watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and a variety of education/outreach programs. Activities:the proposed work in this agreement includes fourteen projects that will support nutrient reduction, coordination with partner agencies, priority watersheds, implementation projects, streambank restoration, education and outreach and revising the arkansas nonpoint source management plan. Nonpoint source implementation projects include a variety of structural and non-structural best management practices (bmps), watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and a variety of education/outreach programs. Subrecipient:the proposed work in this agreement includes fourteen subaward projects that will support nutrient reduction, coordination with partner agencies, priority watersheds, implementation projects, streambank restoration, education and outreach and revising the arkansas nonpoint source management plan. Nonpoint source implementation projects include a variety of structural and non-structural best management practices (bmps), watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and a variety of education/outreach programs. Projects are: 25-100 improving water quality in karst focal areas of northwest arkansas 25-200 growing green: cultivating demand for native landscapes on the illinois river watershed 25-300 beaver lake watershed flood assessment, smart growth implementation and technical assistance for source water protection 25-400 arkansas unpaved road education project 25-500 sediment input reduction within wilburn creek, a major tributary of the little red river 25-600 little red river watershed cost share 25-700 water quality monitoring in the upper illinois river watershed and upper white river basin 25-800 stream barrier remediation and unpaved road erosion reduction in the upper little red river watershed 25-900 pilot program: establishing riparian buffers on impacted tributaries in the buffalo river watershed 25-1000 implementation of little sandy creek restoration (phase II) 25-1100 upper saline river watershed project 25-1200 streambank stabilization and habitat restoration for ferndale creek in lower arkansas maumelle watershed 25-1300 implementing advanced water quality monitoring in the l'anguille river watershed 25-1400 middle fork little red river bank stabilization/sediment reductionoutcomes:the anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include reduced nutrient loading in watersheds, restored streambanks, best management practice implementation, increased awareness of nonpoint source pollution sources and methods to reduce them. Direct beneficiaries of this program include residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary, in the state of arkansas.