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The Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology (ADPC&E) requires that confined animal operations (CAOs) in the Buffalo River watershed apply for "water permits" if they use liquid-waste handling facilities. ADPC&E announced a moratorium on the issuance of new permits in October 1992, due to degrading water quality in the watershed. CAOs include dairy farms, hog farms, and chicken farms, so new farms cannot be established during the moratorium, nor can existing farms be substantially expanded, except those that avoid liquid waste operations. This article provides background, an overview of some programs in place, and the current status of the moratorium.
THE RESOURCE
The Buffalo River watershed covers approximately 1,323 square miles spread over nine counties in Arkansas. Its drainage involves twenty major tributaries, three major springs, and countless smaller run-offs and fresh water springs. Public and private lands including the national river, back country and wilderness, national forest, municipalities, businesses, farms and more lie within the watershed boundaries.
The major waterway, the Buffalo National River (BNR), comprises just over 11% of the watershed. The narrow river corridor containing "unique scenic and scientific features" was brought under federal protection by legislative mandate twenty-two years ago. The State of Arkansas designated the Buffalo River as an Outstanding National Resource Water and Natural Scenic Waterway, the highest designation a waterway can receive under state water quality standards. ADPC&E is charged with protection of this extraordinary recreational and aesthetically valued resource.
In 1991, data collected from water monitoring on the BNR indicated water quality was being impacted by disturbances associated in part with agricultural practices. In October 1992, a five-year study showed increasing contamination levels in the river. As a result, ADPC&E Director Randall Mathis issued a Notice of Intent not to issue further water permits within the watershed of the Buffalo River.
A recent study on Calf Creek, a major tributary of the Buffalo, continued to indicate that all standards for various pollution parameters were exceeded continuously during storm events. Fecal coliform concentrations were approximately 100 times the documented background level for the watershed and approximately 250 times the standard. Certain other parameters including turbidity and nutrients exceeded standard and/or background concentrations by 9 to 200 times. Total pollutants entering this Extraordinary Resource Water must ultimately be limited to the resource's capacity to assimilate pollutants.
To project load capacities and identify best management practices for the drainage basin, cooperative efforts with land owners have been implemented. These include Task 700, a Buffalo River Demonstration Project for liquid waste management from confined animal operations (CAOs) within the watershed. Surface and ground water monitoring and soil plot testing is underway in partnership with the Soil Conservation Service and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Data gleaned from these studies will be utilized in review of regulations governing construction and operation of CAO facilities and liquid waste applications.
In addition, pilot projects are in place where ADPC&E allows
dry applications with-
out permit requirement when operators dry-stack and apply techniques
achieved under farm management plans. Such plans are formulated
in cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service
and the Cooperative Extension Service. Under
these programs, with ADPC&E reviewing and monitoring operations
but not requiring site-specific approval, new dairy operations
of fifty head or less using such plans are not banned under the
Notice of Intent.
Further, scientific evidence reveals that surface and ground water quality management within the Buffalo River watershed is complicated by its inclusion of two distinct eco-regions, the Boston Mountains and the Ozark Highlands. Each eco-region carries separate water quality standards due to the composition of its rock and soil. Outreach programs make land owners aware of diverse management practices necessary for this previously unconsidered criterion. Programs stress exchange of new information, the overall task, and the positive results expected as other watershed studies provide data for total management to prevent ultimate degradation of this formerly pristine waterway.
Since the Notice of Intent on October 12, 1992, neither individuals, business, nor government entities within the watershed have made application for water permits to ADPC&E. No legal challenges have been instituted. This seems to reflect awareness of area residents and watershed users of the current challenges to improve water quality and to maintain existing uses while seeking improvements of existing practices. Watershed residents support ADPC&E's task and the positive results envisioned for the future. The Buffalo River is an integral part of the lives of countless Arkansans.
Buffalo River watershed planning is a long range proposition. There is no information within ADPC&E that indicates that an alteration in current policy is warranted. There is no action intended which will alter the existing Notice of Intent not to issue additional water permits in the Buffalo River watershed. There may be, however, enough information after the winter and spring rains to make a decision on the Notice of Intent.
Barbara Black Meyer is the Watersheds Project Manager for the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology (ADPC&E) based in Little Rock