The diverse terrain and climates of Arkansas, represented in their seven distinct ecoregions, create a broad range of habitats that support a rich array of species. The Ozark hellbender and alligator gar are just two of the more than 200 species of fish found in Arkansas and their health, and the health of their habitat, help to sustain the natural beauty and resources of the state, but also its economy. Fishing, aquaculture, and waterfowl hunting are major pieces of the Arkansas economy. The Arkansas State Wildlife Action Plan has created a coordinated and partner-based approach for long-term wildlife conservation. It has identified 18 categories of threats to wildlife and prioritized 369 species. As part of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s continuing efforts to provide critical information to the state’s outdoorsmen, the agency is developing the Conservation for Arkansas Network, a database to connect with hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers.

Arkansas State Wildlife Action Plan

More about conservation in Arkansas

SARP Contact: Mike Armstrong, Chief of Fisheries, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Key Focus Areas:

AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES (ANS)
ARKANSAS ANS Management Plan Project
Current Status of ANS Management Plan: Final revisions.
SARP ANS Contact: Mark Oliver, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
For more information: http://www.aragriculture.org/horticulture/invasivespeciesguide08.pdf
SARP ANS Coordinator:  Marilyn Barrett-O’Leary

Program Activity:

SOUTHEASTERN INSTREAM FLOW NETWORK (SIFN)
Arkansas Instream Flow Project
Current Instream Flow Policy:  Arkansas Game and Fish Commission established the “Arkansas Method” in 1987 as their instream flow policy.  The policy informs permitting of surface water withdrawals to riparian users by the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission.  The “Arkansas Method” sets seasonal minimum flows as:  60% mean monthly flow (MMF) November-March; 70% MMF April-July; and 50% MMF or median monthly flow July-October.

SIFN State Team participant organizations:

• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
• Arkansas Natural Resource Commission
• US Geological Survey
• Arkansas Heritage
• The Nature Conservancy

SARP SIFN Contact:  Steve Filipek, Assistant Chief, Fisheries Division, AGFC

SIFN Coordinator:  Marilyn Barrett-O’Leary

Instream Flow Update:

1. The AGFC, TNC, and others would like to strengthen the state instream flow criteria currently used for permitting water withdrawals, particularly for high conservation priority streams and rivers.  Studies are needed to develop the scientific basis for new criteria.  The SIFN state team has submitted a funding request for the 2009 legislative session for these studies.
2. In preparation for additional studies, the SIFN state team has initiated pilot studies on the Upper Saline and Little Red Rivers to establish flow requirements.  If successful, the methods and data that result from these studies will inform improved instream flow criteria in the future.