Board backs suit on EPA water rule
The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission board voted Wednesday to oppose the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s revision to the Clean Water Act known as the Clean Water Rule or Waters of the United States.
The opposition supports Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s existing federal lawsuit against the rule.
Commissioner Sloan Hampton of Stuttgart called for the resolution to oppose the revision, which was seconded by Commissioner Ann Cash of Lake Village.
The rule, among other things, expands regulation to bodies of water that perform similar functions as already-protected waters within a certain distance.
Agricultural groups have opposed the rule, arguing that it would regulate too many new bodies of water.
Environmental groups and federal officials have argued that the rule would add protections to public health and water resources.
“My farm has water coming from five directions,” Hampton said. The new rule is confusing and leaves too much up to interpretation, he said.
On a voice vote, Commissioner Don Richardson of Clinton was the only one who opposed the resolution.
“To me, it’s not overreach,” he said. “I just think it’s a proper rule for the EPA, and I think it’s what they should be doing.”
The rule was first announced last year and was revised after public comment this year. It is set to go into effect Aug. 28.
Water systems get improvement loans
The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission board approved three loans totaling $1.2 million, two grants totaling $126,690 and a $1.9 million loan with “principal forgiveness” Wednesday, denying only one application for a loan from a Pulaski County water district.
The commission declined to vote on East End Water Improvement District’s application for a loan after Commissioner Mike Carter of Fort Smith asked why the district was asking for a $350,200 loan when it listed $1.6 million in certificates of deposit.
The city of Eudora in Chicot County will receive a loan of up to $1,850,000, which won’t have to be repaid, as it upgrades its water distribution system to reduce its water-loss rate from 50 percent, among other upgrades. The city will also get a loan for the same project of up to $250,000 that must be repaid.
Using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funds, the commission is obligated to disburse some loans “with principal forgiveness,” meaning they won’t have to be repaid, said Mark Bennett, manager of the water development division.
Additionally, the city of Tuckerman will receive a deferred loan for up to $72,100 for water system improvement and to cover cost overruns related to a new water treatment plant.
The commission approved a loan of up to $875,000 for the Lake Catherine Waterworks and Sewer Facilities Board of Garland County for improvements to its wastewater plants that are required under a corrective action plan with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.
A grant of up to $3,090 will go to the city of Sparkman to make emergency repairs at the wastewater plant there, and a grant of up to $123,600 will go to the North Howard County Water Association to install check valves on a transmission line.