2020 Arkansas Annual Report

At-a-Glance
Arkansas NRCS
State Conservationist Mike Sullivan; michael.sullivan2@usda.gov

FY20 TOTAL PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

EQIP—Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Active Contracts: 3,642              Acres: 652,390
New Contracts: 1,226                 Acres: 181,642.5
Obligations: $45,484,470

CSP—Conservation Stewardship Program

Active Contracts: 2,328              Acres: 2,020,223
New Contracts: 293                     Acres: 1208,747
Obligations: $28,030,494
Previous Year Contract Payments in FY20: $143,220,000

ACEP—Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

Easements: 18               Acres: 7,924
Acquisitions and Restoration: $27,518,772

RCPP—Regional Conservation Partnership Program

Contracts: 53     Acres: 8,227
Obligations: $2,957,449

EQIP—Environmental Quality Incentives Program

*Does not include wildlife in other fund codes.

* Does not include wildlife in other fund codes.

In FY20, Arkansas NRCS worked with more than 200 partners to help put conservation on the ground.

Ongoing Program Workload—Active Contracts, Easements

EQIP:   3,642 contracts
CSP:   2,328 contracts
ACEP/WRP:   743 easements

Total Direct Technical Assistance (TA), Financial Assistance (FA) and Full-Time Equivalents (FTE)

FY 1997 through FY 2020 Allocations)

NRCS Investing $66.9 Million in Four Projects to Address Ag Water Management, Water Quality, Flood Control in Arkansas Watersheds

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is investing in one existing and three new multi-year projects in Arkansas that will build vital infrastructure and conserve natural resources.

The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (Public Law 83-566 [PL – 566]) Watershed Program allows NRCS to work with local groups to reduce damages from flooding, protect watersheds, improve municipal and agricultural water management and enhance wildlife habitat.

The projects are:

• Grand Prairie Irrigation Project - The project, in portions of Arkansas, Lonoke, Monroe and Prairie counties, will allow continuation of intensive irrigated crop production on 245,400 acres utilizing surface water from the White River once all measures are constructed The White River Irrigation District and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture are the project sponsors. The $35.6 million in federal funding includes $28.3 million for construction that requires a local match of $9.4 million. An additional $7.3 million is available for technical services.
• Bayou Meto Irrigation Project - This project, in portions of Lonoke, Prairie, Jefferson, Arkansas, and Pulaski counties, is designed to move much of the agricultural water demand to surface water sources and create a long-term sustainable use of the aquifers for municipal users and remaining industrial and agricultural users. The Bayou Meto Water Management District and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture are the project sponsors. The $28.1 million in federal funding includes $22 million for construction that requires a local match of $7.3 million. An additional $6.1 million is available for technical services.
• The West Fork of the White River Watershed Project is a joint project between the Watershed Conservation Resource Center, the Beaver Water District, Walton Family Foundation, Beaver Watershed Alliance and NRCS. The $375,000 funded will be utilized to develop the designs and construction plans for streambank restoration projects.
• A long-term project, Departee Creek Watershed received $2.5 million in federal construction funding and $250,000 for technical services to protect frequently flooded lands along Departee Creek. The overall project will provide flood control benefits and water quality improvements in the watershed. quality, greatly reduced flooding, improved wildlife habitat and reduced nutrient loss will be some of the many benefits of the project.

PL – 566 watershed projects take place in smaller watersheds that cover 250,000 acres or less. The projects are owned and managed by the local sponsors. NRCS serves as the primary technical adviser to project sponsors because of its technical expertise and ability to deliver solutions that provide benefits that exceed costs.

Full FY20 Arkansas AT-a-Glance Document (PDF)