Title 15 — Natural Resources and Economic Development
42 chapters · 1,687 sections in this title.
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-1001 Legislative findings
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(1) The 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 a…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-1002 Buffalo River Conservation Committee
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(a) The Buffalo River Conservation Committee is created to establish measurable objectives and lead partnership projects to benefit water quality and resource management in the Buffalo River Watershed. (b) The committee members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of t…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-101 Cache River declared nonnavigable
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The General Assembly approves the declaration of the United States Congress in declaring the Cache River to be nonnavigable.
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-102 Mulberry River
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(a) (1) The Mulberry River, from confluence with the Arkansas River, Section 12, Township 9 North, Range 29 West, upstream to headwaters west of Salus, North Line of Section 32, Township 13 North, Range 23 West, is declared to be a scenic river of the State of Arkansas.(2) It sha…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-103 Lee Creek Development Authorization Act of 1985
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(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Lee Creek Development Authorization Act of 1985”. (b) (1) Authority is granted to develop that portion of the Lee Creek Waterway located in Crawford County, commencing at the three-and-two-tenths-mile point of Lee Creek, me…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-104 Kings River
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(a) The General Assembly finds that the portion of Kings River located in Madison County possesses unique and outstanding scenic, recreational, botanical, geological, historical, piscine, faunal, and other outdoor values of great present and potential benefit to the people of the…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-105 [Repealed.]
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A.C.A. § 15-23-105Current through all legislation of the 2025 Regular Session.Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated Official EditionCopyright © 2026 by the State of Arkansas All rights reserved
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-106 Point Remove Creek Development Authorization Act
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(a) This section shall be known as the “Point Remove Creek Development Authorization Act”. (b) (1) Authority is granted to develop that portion of the Point Remove Creek Waterway located at the Old Stagecoach Low Water Crossing of Point Remove Creek at the nine-and-three-tenths-m…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-107 Prohibition on moratorium in watersheds and other bodies of water — Definition. [Effective February 1, 2026.]
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(a) As used in this section, “moratorium” means a prohibition on the issuance of permits or any other limitation on agricultural production, including without limitation livestock and poultry operations, contained animal feeding operations, and the cultivation of crops and orchar…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-201 Establishment — Members
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(a) There is established the Arkansas Waterways Commission to consist of seven (7) members to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, as follows:(1) The Governor shall consult the organized associations established to promote the development of the…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-202 Duties
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(a) The Arkansas Waterways Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “commission”, is authorized to:(1) Study and coordinate efforts designed to promote the development of the navigable stream areas in this state for water transportation purposes;(2) Encourage and coordinate the…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-203 Director
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(a) The Director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor and upon confirmation by the Senate. (b) The director shall report to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce.
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-204 Report
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The Arkansas Waterways Commission shall biennially submit to the Governor and to the General Assembly a report of its activities, findings, and recommendations for the biennial period.
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-205 Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program
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(a) The Arkansas Waterways Commission shall establish and administer the Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program that shall be used for one (1) or more of the following purposes:(1) To provide financial assistance to port authorities and intermodal autho…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-301 Title
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This subchapter shall be known as the “Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System Act”.
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-302 Intent
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(a) It is declared that certain rivers in the State of Arkansas possess outstanding natural, scenic, educational, geological, recreational, historical, fish and wildlife, scientific, and cultural values of great present and future benefit to the people. (b) Those rivers that are …
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-303 Definitions
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(1) As used in this subchapter:(1) “Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System” means those rivers or sections thereof designated as natural and scenic rivers by act of the General Assembly;(2) “Natural rivers” means those rivers or sections thereof that are generally free from ma…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-307 [Repealed.]
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A.C.A. § 15-23-307Current through all legislation of the 2025 Regular Session.Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated Official EditionCopyright © 2026 by the State of Arkansas All rights reserved
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-308 Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission — Duties
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(1) The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall:(1) Survey, evaluate, and assess the rivers to be considered for designation as components in the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System;(2) Recommend to the General Assembly rivers to be considered for entry into the system;(…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-309 Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission — Power to obtain property
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(a) The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall have the authority to purchase or receive by gift, devise, grant, or dedication conservation easements in real property for the protection of rivers and streams in this state. (b) The commission shall not have the power of eminen…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-310 Proposed contracts and compacts with the federal government
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Notwithstanding any provisions of this subchapter or any other law to the contrary, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall submit proposed contracts between it and the United States Government to the Legislative Council for its review and shall not enter into any such con…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-311 Procedure for designation of river
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(1) The procedure that the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall follow to submit a river to the General Assembly for designation as a component into the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System is as follows:(1) The commission shall decide, based upon the classification an…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-312 Approval of management plan
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(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subchapter, no management plan or part thereof for a river or portion of a river included in or designated for inclusion in the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System shall be implemented or submitted to the General Assembly for…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-313 Specific designations — Prohibitions — Policy — Exemptions
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(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subchapter, the following segments of rivers or streams are designated as components of the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System:(A) The Cossatot River, from Gillham Reservoir, Section 8, Township 5 South, Range 30 West, u…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-314 Protection of private lands
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Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to give the public any greater right or privilege of access to private lands.
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-315 Funding
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(a) The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission may receive any money or property from federal, state, or private sources, including grants, contributions, gratuities, and loans. (b) This is in addition to any state appropriation for staff salaries and maintenance and operation expe…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-316 [Repealed.]
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A.C.A. § 15-23-316Current through all legislation of the 2025 Regular Session.Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated Official EditionCopyright © 2026 by the State of Arkansas All rights reserved
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-317 [Repealed.]
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A.C.A. § 15-23-317Current through all legislation of the 2025 Regular Session.Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated Official EditionCopyright © 2026 by the State of Arkansas All rights reserved
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-401 Approval and ratification — Text
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ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN COMPACTARKANSAS-OKLAHOMA, 1970 The following interstate Compact between the State of Oklahoma and the State of Arkansas, respecting the waters of the Arkansas River Basin, is hereby approved and ratified. ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN COMPACTARKANSAS-OKLAHOMA, 1970 Th…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-501 Approval and ratification — Text
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RED RIVER COMPACT The following interstate Compact between the States of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, respecting the water of the Red River Basin, is hereby approved and ratified: RED RIVER COMPACT ARTICLE I Purposes SECTION 1.01. The principal purposes of this Compac…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-502 Effective date of compact
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The provisions of the Arkansas River Basin Compact shall be in full force and effect from and after the effective date of the further ratification of the compact by the States of Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana and consented to by the United States Congress.
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-503 Commissioners
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(1) The two (2) commissioners representing the State of Arkansas as provided by Section 9.01 of the Arkansas River Basin Compact ratified by this subchapter shall be designated as follows:(1) The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or such other state agency as may hereaft…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-801 Legislative intent
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It is the intent of this subchapter to create the Ouachita River Commission. The commission's purpose is to promote the recreational benefits of the Ouachita River. Specifically, this subchapter reaffirms the integrity of the river with respect to the existing configuration of th…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-802 Construction of subchapter
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This subchapter shall be cumulative and shall not repeal any existing law, nor shall this subchapter be deemed to take from any levee, drainage, or other improvement district any power or right the district now has to enter into and perform any agreement or contract with the Unit…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-803 Ouachita River Commission created — Powers and duties
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(1) There is created and established the Ouachita River Commission with the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:(1) To cooperate with the appropriate state and federal agencies for the study, planning, and implementation of needed improvements or projects, or both, to …
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-804 Members
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(a) (1) The Ouachita River Commission shall be composed of nine (9) members.(2) The members shall be appointed by the Governor as follows:(A) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Clark County;(B) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Ouachita County;(C) One (1) who is a re…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-805 Funding
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The Ouachita River Commission may receive and use any federal, state, or private funds, donations, and grants made available for the study, planning, and implementation of needed improvements or projects, or both, to and along the main stem of the Ouachita River.
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-806 Ouachita River Waterways Project Trust Fund
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(a) There is established on the books of the Treasurer of State, the Auditor of State, and the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State a trust fund to be known as the “Ouachita River Waterways Project Trust Fund”. (b) This fund shall consist of those moneys approved by the General Asse…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-901 Title
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This subchapter shall be known and cited as the “Arkansas Port Priority Improvement Program Act”.
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-902 Definitions
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(1) As used in this subchapter:(1) “City” means any city of the first class, any city of the second class, or any incorporated town established by the laws of the State of Arkansas;(2) “County” means any county in the State of Arkansas;(3) “Port Priority Improvement Program” mean…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-903 Port Priority Improvement Fund created
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There is created on the books of the Treasurer of State, the Auditor of State, and the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State a fund to be known as the “Port Priority Improvement Fund”, to consist of the funds or other moneys that may be deposited therein as provided by the General As…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-904 Authority to establish programs
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(a) The Arkansas Waterways Commission, working in partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, may establish by rule the criteria of eligibility for awarding funds to any public port authority to aid in the development of port infrastructure, including the engin…
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-905 Port Priority Improvement Program
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(1) The Arkansas Waterways Commission's rules for the Port Priority Improvement Program shall, as a minimum:(1) Provide for the commission to administer the program authorized under this subchapter;(2) Require the commission to take the necessary actions to ensure that the funds …
Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-906 Application and award
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(a) The Arkansas Waterways Commission shall promulgate the application format to be used in applying for funding through the Port Priority Improvement Program. (b) All applications shall be submitted as required by the establishing rules. (c) After receipt of the application, the…