February Meetings Identify Top Issues March Meetings Set for Recommendations
The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission’s (ANRC) Water Plan Update Team hit the road during February, conducting Issues and Recommendations Workgroup meetings throughout the state. Meetings were held in each of the five Water Planning Regions: East – Jonesboro; North –Mountain View; West-central – Russellville; South-central – Hot Springs; and Southwest – Texarkana. Workgroup meetings were held during the day, and informational meetings, designed for the general public, were conducted at night. All sessions were open to the public. Total attendance for all meetings was nearly 300.
Attendees at the Workgroup meetings heard an update of the Water Plan process and a presentation discussing the water demand and supply numbers (gap analysis) for their particular regions. They were then divided into their sectors and asked to develop no more than five of the highest priority issues regarding their sectors for their specific region. Each sector then wrote their issues on large sheets of paper hanging on walls around the room.
After that process was completed, the spokesperson for each sector was given 10 blue “stick-on” dots. During the next hour or so, that spokesperson, taking advice from other members of his or her sector, had to vote for the top 10 most important issues for the entire region, not just his or her sector, by placing one or more dots adjacent to the issues listed. There were some very serious discussions and some shared laughter as the spokespersons began the voting process. To see the results, go to the Water Plan Update website at www.arwaterplan.arkansas.gov.
March meetings for the Issues and Recommendations Workgroup have been scheduled for each Region throughout the state. During these sessions, the Workgroup members will use the list of priority issues as a focus for the formulation of recommendations. The public is invited to attend the meetings. For more information, call ANRC at (501) 682-3979, or visit the website.
March I&R Meetings
Southwest Region – Texarkana, AR – March 13:
Four States Fairgrounds, Agri Learning Center, 3700 East 50th St.
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:30, Issues & Recommendations Workgroup
East Region – Stuttgart –March 17:
Grand Prairie Center, Phillips Community College of the U of A. 2709 Highway 165.
- 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., optional session on water management and conservation practices, funding, and enrollment process.
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:30, Issues & Recommendations Workgroup
North Region – Fayetteville – March 18:
Fayetteville Town Center, 15 West Mountain St.
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:30, Issues & Recommendations Workgroup.
West-central Region – Russellville – March 19:
Lake Point Conference Center, 171 Lake Point Lane.
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:30, Issues & Recommendations Workgroup
South-central Region – El Dorado – March 20:
El Dorado Conference Center, South AR Community College, 311 South West Ave.
- 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., optional session on local water issues.
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:30, Issues & Recommendations Workgroup
