This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of arkansas

EPA Region 6 awarded $2.514 million to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission on October 1, 2025, under the Support for the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan program (CFDA 66.485) to implement Arkansas's nutrient reduction strategy and advance the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan through nine integrated watershed projects running through September 30, 2030.

The award funds conservation practice implementation in priority watersheds, water quality monitoring enhancement, wastewater treatment plant optimization, outreach and education, and updates to the Arkansas Nutrient Reduction Strategy best management practices tracker and a statewide water quality analysis report. The University of Arkansas's Arkansas Discovery Watershed program will work with farmers in the Brush Creek-Beaver Lake watershed to reduce fertilizer runoff to below 5% through field-level conservation practices. The Nature Conservancy's Upper Cache River project will reduce sediment and nutrient loads by partnering with drainage districts on grade stabilization structures and ditch management practices including two-stage ditches and gully remediation. Sub-recipients include the Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas for watershed stewardship and water quality analysis; Tetra Tech, Inc., for nutrient reduction strategy design support; the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality for wastewater treatment plant optimization planning; the University of Arkansas for the discovery watershed program; Beaver Watershed Alliance for farmer outreach campaigns; the Arkansas Department of Agriculture for water quality monitoring in priority watersheds; and Olsson, Inc., for best management practices tracking and strategy updates. Place of performance is Arkansas.

The purpose of this agreement is to support and advance the gulf hypoxia action plan through implementation of the recipient's nutrient reduction strategy. Arkansas will use the FY 24-26 gulf hypoxia program funding to advance the goals and objectives of the 2022 arkansas nutrient reduction strategy (anrs). The anrs is designed to address nutrient pollution in arkansas waterways and reduce the state's contribution to the hypoxic zone in the gulf of america. This workplan contains nine projects and will implement conservation practices in priority watersheds, enhance water quality monitoring, assist the optimization of wastewater treatment plants, and conduct outreach and education in most priority watersheds. Additionally, the funding will support the update of the anrs best management practices tracker and the publication of the next major anrs report which includes a statewide water quality analysis and nutrient reduction data. Activities:1. The university of arkansas's arkansas discovery watershed (ADW) program will collaborate with farmers in the brush creek-beaver lake watershed, which includes a 303(d)-listed tributary. Farmers participating in the program can expect to reduce fertilizer runoff to less than 5%. This project will provide clear, evidence-based insights into how field-level conservation practices can effectively improve water quality on a watershed scale. 2. The nature conservancy's (TNC) upper cache river project will focus on reducing sediment and nutrient loads in the upper cache river watershed. This will be achieved by partnering with drainage districts to develop a roadmap utilizing GIS analysis and field reconnaissance. This effort will inform the implementation of grade stabilization structures and ditch management practices, such as two-stage ditches and gully remediation, which will cut sediment and nutrient loads by up to 50%. 3. The wastewater treatment plant optimization plan will aim to enhance nutrient removal from arkansas waters by improving the performance and efficiency of publicly owned treatment works (potws). Subrecipient:this agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of arkansas. The purpose of this agreement is to support and advance the gulf hypoxia action plan through implementation of the recipient's nutrient reduction strategy. Arkansas will use the FY 24-26 gulf hypoxia program funding to advance the goals and objectives of the 2022 arkansas nutrient reduction strategy (anrs). The anrs is designed to address nutrient pollution in arkansas waterways and reduce the state's contribution to the hypoxic zone in the gulf of america. This workplan contains nine projects and will implement conservation practices in priority watersheds, enhance water quality monitoring, assist the optimization of wastewater treatment plants, and conduct outreach and education in most priority watersheds. Additionally, the funding will support the update of the anrs best management practices tracker and the publication of the next major anrs report which includes a statewide water quality analysis and nutrient reduction data.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include a quality assurance project plan, water quality sampling of 12 designated sites for nutrients, streamflow, conductivity, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen, targeted conservation practices to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment runoff, and community engagement. The expected outcomes include enhanced soil and water health, improve aquatic ecosystems, increase dissolved oxygen levels, mitigate impairments, and enhance aquatic habitats, communities adopting sustainable practices that improve soil health, water retention, and productivity, fostering long-term commitment to watershed sustainability, and support the anrs. The intended BEN