Section 15-23-1001 - Legislative findingsThe General Assembly finds that:
(1) The Buffalo National River holds distinction as the first national river in the United States of America and is a vital landmark to the people of the State of Arkansas and to the nation;(2) The Buffalo National River is one of the state's and indeed the nation's premier rivers and is a source of scenic beauty, a unique habitat for local biota, an agricultural resource to the state as a whole, and a preeminent tourism destination in the State of Arkansas;(3) The State of Arkansas is committed to the protection and preservation of this irreplaceable natural and cultural resource for all future generations of Arkansans and for the many tourists the Buffalo National River brings to the state;(4) The State of Arkansas recognizes the valuable contributions made by agricultural producers, the tourism industry, and the individual landowners within the Buffalo River Watershed;(5) There is an ongoing need for the state to partner with local stakeholders to proactively manage the Buffalo River Watershed in order to ensure the Buffalo National River is maintained to the highest level of water quality;(6) On September 30, 2016, the Beautiful Buffalo River Action Committee was formed by directive from the Governor to more comprehensively address conservation and environmental concerns in the Buffalo River Watershed;(7) The Beautiful Buffalo River Action Committee successfully developed a watershed management plan and identified areas of need within the watershed, laying the foundation for future partnership with local stakeholders, federal partners, and other partners to leverage funding for projects to improve the Buffalo River Watershed; and(8) The establishment of the Buffalo River Conservation Committee is necessary to establish measurable objectives and lead partnership projects to benefit water quality and resource management in the Buffalo River Watershed.Amended by Act 2021, No. 785,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.