Submission Draft
April 1, 2011
Section Two
Program Description
2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan
Introduction
The Arkansas Natural Resource Commission (ANRC) is the lead agency responsible for
Arkansas’ Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Plan. The plan provides a broad
framework and aspirational objectives for implementation of the NPS Pollution
Management Plan.
Program Structure
Arkansas’ NPS Pollution Management Plan includes two major components: a statewide
program consisting of issue specific areas of concern and a select group of priority
watersheds identified and proposed by engaged stakeholders.
Statewide programs focus prevention and, to a lesser extent, abatement activities on a
particular land use or group of land and water uses. Typical activities may include
identification and/or development of appropriate best management practices (BMPs),
BMP monitoring, demonstration projects, training, and outreach. Table 2.1 lists the
2011-2016 statewide programs and identifies the section where the program description
can be found.
Table 2.1: 2011-2016 statewide programs
Section
Statewide Program
4
Agriculture, including row crop agriculture and animal agriculture
5
Silviculture
6
Resource Extraction
7
Surface Erosion, including construction, and hydrologic modification
8(a)
Road construction and maintenance
8(b)
Urban runoff
9
Developing Issues: Adapting the NPS Program to New and Changing Policies,
Resources and Technologies
The priority watershed program focuses watershed implementation on priority 8digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) watersheds where there are known impairments or
significant threats to water quality from present and potential future activities.
Waterbodies with an approved total maximum daily load (TMDL) will automatically be
Program Description
Arkansas 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
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considered a priority watershed, except in cases in which the TMDL does not have an
NPS component or the source cannot be identified (e.g., TMDLs for pH or mercury only).
Typical priority watershed program activities may include assessments to identify target
sub-watersheds, development of a Nine Element Plan, and implementation projects.
Implementation projects that target sub-watersheds where measurable water quality
improvements can be expected in a specified timeframe will be given preference. The
Arkansas NPS Pollution Management Plan recognizes that water quality improvements
most often occur where there are active and effective local watershed groups involved.
Table 2.2 shows the status of local institutional capacity and planning in each of the
identified priority watersheds as well as the section where the priority watershed
program is described.
Table 2.2: Status of priority watersheds, 2011
Sec
Action
Plan
Reaches
Nine
with
Element NPS
Plan
TMDL1
Priority Watershed
Watershed Group
10
Beaver Reservoir
Ozark Water Watch
West Fork of the White River
Group
ABLE – Association for Beaver
Lake Environment
Beaver Lake Watershed
Partnership
Kings River Watershed
Partnership
11
Poteau River
12
Bayou Bartholomew
Bayou Bartholomew Alliance
x
Update
2009
8
13
Illinois River
Illinois River Watershed
Partnership
x
Update
2010
In Process
14
Lake Conway Point
Remove
15
Lower Ouachita
Smackover
Region III Stream Team
8
16
Strawberry River
Strawberry River Watershed
Group
8
17
Upper Saline River
Alliance For An Improved
Middle Fork
2
18
L’Anguille River
L’Anguille Watershed Group
x
January
2004
3
2
3
Program Description
Arkansas 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
x
March
2009
5
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19
1
Cache River
Cache River Watershed Group
5
Completed NPS-related TMDLs only
Funds Allocated On a Project Basis
Funds are allocated on a project basis. Watershed projects promote understanding of
the full range of stressors in a watershed – physical, chemical, and biological – that may
be affecting aquatic life and human health. When all significant sources and stressors
are understood, the program is better able to focus on those controls that are more
likely to produce measurable improvements in ecosystem health.
Administratively, watershed projects are highly efficient. They encourage local and
statewide cooperating entities to focus staff and financial resources on prioritized
geographic locations and facilitate coordination of resources among interested parties.
Also, they provide local agencies with an opportunity to take leadership roles in
ecosystem protection. Individual watershed projects provide a statewide proving ground
for innovative approaches as new models are developed and new watershed-level
management approaches are tested. Finally, watershed projects encourage local
agencies and citizen groups to get involved either by participating in state or federal
projects or by starting their own watershed projects. Successful projects create a sense
of ownership within the project area and engender enthusiasm that will carry forward to
new initiatives.
The elements of an effective watershed project are:

Building a Project Team and Public Support: Developing effective
institutional arrangements and ownership of the project by stakeholders.

Defining the Problem: Developing an inventory of the watershed and its
problems and conducting baseline monitoring.

Setting Goals and Identifying Solutions: Developing project goals, a list of
management measures, and a detailed plan for their implementation.

Implementing Controls: Obtaining funding, securing commitments, and
installing controls.

Measuring Success and Making Adjustments: Documenting success in
meeting goals, monitoring, changing management measures as needed, and
ensuring project continuity.
Incremental Funds
Arkansas will focus watershed implementation on priority 8-digit HUC watersheds where
there are known impairments or significant threats to water quality from present and
future activities. Only watersheds selected as priority watersheds will be eligible for
section 319(h) funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
“incremental funds.” In addition, ANRC will encourage other state agencies to target
their efforts toward these same watersheds. To further focus limited resources to
Program Description
Arkansas 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
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achieve measurable results, Arkansas will give preference to implementation projects
that focus defensibly on sub-watersheds within identified priority watersheds and
effectively leverage limited available resources.
Prioritization of Sub-watersheds
Project proposals for implementation projects will include a description of the data and
the analytic methodology used to prioritize sub-watersheds. The prioritization
methodology will be reviewed on a number of criteria including but not limited to:







what data were used (quantitative analyses will be given preference, analyses
that provide comparative rankings of sub-watersheds will be given preference);
methodology used to analyze the data (e.g., land use change from GIS, SWAT
models, Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP), etc.;
validation methodology and assumptions used in setting modeling parameters;
how the data were collected (rigorous methods of data collection will be given
preference);
how complete and up-to-date the data used are;
whether there is meta-data (GIS) or a data dictionary (databases) that enable
the data to be shared with other analysts/researchers (data that can be shared
will be given preference); and the
degree to which the data/analysis have been or can be verified through analytic
methods or through other objective means.
ANRC will review the prioritization methodology used before a proposal is forwarded for
peer review (see process description below). If the prioritization methodology is
determined to be inadequate, the proposal will not receive further consideration.
Cost-share as a Project Component
Recognizing that agriculture is consistently listed as the most frequent nonpoint source
of impairment to Arkansas waterbodies in the state’s 303(d) List of Impaired
Waterbodies, watershed-based implementation projects may include cost-share to
encourage agricultural producers to implement and maintain specific BMPs as one
component of a project proposal. Proposals that include cost-share for other types of
entities will not be considered. BMPs to be cost-shared are selected and approved on a
project by project basis from BMPs identified in the statewide program sections of this
update (or the best available BMPs at the time the proposal is submitted). ANRC works
with cooperating entities to identify appropriate and economical BMPs that producers
will be able and willing to implement. Projects that include cost sharing are targeted at a
single watershed. Where practical, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), the Conservation Reserve Program
(CRP), the Conservation Reserve Enhanced Program (CREP), the Wildlife Habitat
Improvement Program (WHIP), the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), Mississippi River
Basin Initiative (MRBI), Discovery Farm Projects, conservation easements, and other
state and local cost-share (both public and private) are coordinated with the NPS
Pollution Management Plan’s cost-share. However, many of the USDA programs (EQIP
for example) are not targeted by watershed. The available opportunities to leverage
program funds are limited.
Program Description
Arkansas 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
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Proposal Review Process
Project Selection: Projects are selected through a competitive process. Eligible entities
are invited to submit proposals. Proposals are reviewed through a structured process
and projects are selected for funding consistent with the funds available. NPS Pollution
Management Plan staff work with potential grantees on a continuous basis to encourage
a pool of proposals that address the most critical needs of the NPS Pollution
Management Program as identified by ANRC. The following is a narrative description of
the competitive grant process.
Eligibility: Entities eligible to receive Section 319(h) grants include state and local
government agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and universities. Other entities
are not eligible. ANRC may at its discretion waive eligibility requirements on a case-bycase basis when it is in the best interests of the Arkansas NPS Pollution Management
Plan.
Call for Work Plans: The Arkansas NPS Pollution Management Plan issues a call for
work plans on an annual basis. The ANRC management team maintains an active list of
interested stakeholders (both entities and individuals are included). Any eligible entity
may request to be added to the email distribution list to receive the Call for Work plans.
The call for work plans provides a format for proposal submission and a due date for
proposals. ANRC may at its discretion solicit additional project work plans during the
course of the year or accept unsolicited project work plans for consideration if it is in the
best interests of the Arkansas NPS Pollution Management Plan.
Work Plan Review and Project Selection: Work plans must pass through multistage review. ANRC staff review submitted work plans for completeness. Staff may
return incomplete work plans for additional work or reject incomplete work plans from
further consideration at their discretion based on the merits of the work plan and the
needs of the NPS Pollution Management Plan.
Completed work plans are forwarded to a peer review team for evaluation. The peer
review team includes representatives of current or past 319 grant recipients selected by
ANRC. No grant recipient may have more than one representative on the peer review
team. Members of the peer review team independently rank all proposals as high,
medium or low priority. NPS Pollution Management Program staff also independently
review and rank work plans.
After all rankings are submitted, the peer review team and NPS management staff meet
as a group to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of work plans relative to the NPS
Pollution Management Program objectives. This group may recommend changes to the
project design in order to strengthen project outcomes.
A committee of NPS Pollution Management Program staff then reviews all rankings as
well as other input to make funding recommendations to ANRC management. ANRC
management review staff recommendations to make the final determination for project
funding.
Program Description
Arkansas 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
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Work Plan Development: Entities submitting projects selected for funding will be
notified and asked to develop a detailed work plan. ANRC may at its discretion ask for
project modifications in order to strengthen project outcomes.
Project Reporting
Projects generate quarterly reports that describe progress toward task completion and
expenditure reporting and annual reports that provide implementation data to estimate
load reduction as well as a discussion of successes and failures and mid-course
adjustments to the scope of work. All projects submit a final report.
To provide input into the adaptive management process, sponsors of active projects will
be invited to participate in a two day peer review process annually. Project holders will
present information and respond to questions about their project from peers and
members of the NPS Pollution Management Program Stakeholder Group. In addition, all
participants in the peer review process will work together to identify lessons learned,
which will be provided to the Stakeholder Group and ANRC staff to guide the adaptive
management process.
Program-level Annual Reporting
As the lead agency, ANRC prepares an annual report that documents the state’s
implementation of the NPS Pollution Management Plan. The Clean Water Act details the
requirements for the Annual Report. Specifically:
Section 319(h)(11) Reporting and Other Requirements. Each State shall report to the
Administrator on an annual basis concerning:
a. its progress in meeting the schedule of milestones submitted pursuant to
subsection (b)(2)(C) of this section; and
b. to the extent that appropriate information is available, reductions in nonpoint
source pollutant loading and improvements in water quality for those navigable
waters or watersheds within the State which were identified pursuant to
subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section resulting from the implementation of the
management program.
In Arkansas, responsibility for (a) and (b) above are divided between two state
agencies.
a. ANRC administers the NPS Pollution Management Plan and reports on progress
toward meeting the schedule of milestones; and
b. the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is responsible for
monitoring and assessing the waters of the state “to the extent that appropriate
information is available.” ADEQ issues two major reports on a roughly biennial
basis: the Water Quality Inventory Report (also called the 305(b) report) and the
List of Impaired Waterbodies (also called the 303(d) report). ADEQ has
responsibility for assessing the waters of the state.
In addition to ADEQ’s monitoring activities, ANRC maintains a limited long-term
supplemental monitoring program that is included in the annual report. ANRC’s longterm monitoring stations supplement but do not duplicate, ADEQ monitoring.
Program Description
Arkansas 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
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On the project level, ANRC estimates load reduction utilizing the Region 5 and STEPL
models, which are entered into the Grants Reporting and Tracking System (GRTS).
Where project monitoring is included as a component of a funded project, monitoring
typically is for the purpose of BMP demonstration. These data are only useful and
available at the completion of the project.
In addition to meeting reporting requirements to EPA, the annual report will be used to
communicate program status to the NPS Pollution Management Program Stakeholder
Group, thus enabling the stakeholders to participate in evaluating programs and
recommending mid course corrections or new projects on an ongoing basis.
Adaptive Management Approach
The 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan will continue to use an adaptive
management approach. The NPS Pollution Management Plan Stakeholder Group will
meet every other year to review the NPS Pollution Management Plan. The stakeholders
include individuals and organizations that have an interest in identifying and solving
water quality problems and in monitoring the effectiveness of these solutions over time.
Entities represented in the Stakeholder Group include but are not limited to:


Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission
Arkansas Highway and
Transportation Department

Arkansas Department of Heritage

Arkansas Home Builders Association

Arkansas Natural Resources
Commission

Arkansas Municipal League

Alliance for an Improved Middle Fork

Beaver Water District

Arkansas Association of Conservation
District Employees

Central Arkansas Water

Arkansas Rural Water Association

East Arkansas Planning and
Development District

Arkansas League of Women Voters

U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency

Arkansas Canoe Club

Friends of North Fork/White River

Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association

FTN Associates

Arkansas Chapter, Associated
General Contractors

Fulton County Conservation District

Arkansas Department of
Environmental Quality

Kings River Watershed Group

Illinois River Watershed Partnership

L’Anguille River Watershed Coalition

Arkansas Department of Health

Lake Fayetteville Watershed
Partnership

Arkansas Department of Parks &
Tourism

Leatherwood Creek Watershed
Program Description
Arkansas 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
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
Arkansas Environmental Federation

Little Red River Action Team

Arkansas Farm Bureau

Livestock and Poultry Association

Arkansas Forestry Association

Lower Little River Watershed
Coalition

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

MacGeorge Construction

Arkansas Association of Conservation
Districts

National Weather Service

Arkansas Pork Producers Association

Ouachita Watch League

National Park Service

Ozark Foothills RC&D Council

Northwest Arkansas RC&D Council

Plum Creek Timber Company

Arkansas Public Policy Panel

Scott County Organization to
Protect the Environment

Arkansas River Valley RC&D Council

Southwest Arkansas Planning and
Development District

Arkansas Office of the Governor

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Arkansas State Plant Board


Arkansas State University
University of Arkansas Division of
Agriculture Cooperative Extension
Service
University of Arkansas Division of
Agriculture Research Stations

Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Water Resource Center



University of Arkansas Watershed
Research and Education Center

University of Arkansas Division of
Agriculture Public Policy Center
Association of Arkansas Counties

University of Center Arkansas

Southwest Arkansas RC&D Council

Upper White River Basin Foundation

Audubon Arkansas

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Bayou Bartholomew Alliance

U.S. Geological Survey

St. Francis County Conservation
District

USDA Farm Service Agency

The Nature Conservancy

USDA Forest Service

Arkansas Poultry Federation

USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Watershed Conservation Resource
Center
Program Description
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Effective Date: October 1, 2011
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
West Center Arkansas Planning and
Development District
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

West Fork – White River Watershed

Western Arkansas Planning and
Development District

White County Conservation District

White River Planning and
Development District

University of Arkansas at Monticello

The stakeholder review will include:





lessons learned from the annual project review process;
NPS Annual Reports and estimated load reductions;
review changes in water quality as reported by ADEQ in its 305(b) water quality
report and 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies, monitoring data from
implementation projects in sub-watersheds, and water quality data from other
sources;
review the updated Qualitative Risk Assessment Matrix. The Qualitative Risk
Assessment Matrix will be updated prior to each task force meeting, (using the
most recent information available from ADEQ, USGS and other resource entities,
new NPS-related TMDLs, most recent land use data, etc); and
review objectives and milestones for priority watersheds and statewide
programs.
Based on this review, the stakeholders will make a recommendation to ANRC about
proposed modifications to the NPS Pollution Management Plan. The stakeholders may
recommend changes to the list of priority watersheds, objectives, or milestones.
Based on this review, ANRC will determine whether or not to submit a program update
to EPA for consideration.
Program Description
Arkansas 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
2.9