Federal Funding Pause Halts Arkansas Watershed Projects, Raises Concerns

The Facts -

Federal Funding Halt Stalls Watershed Improvements in Southern Arkansas

A plan aimed at enhancing watersheds to reduce flooding in Pine Bluff and other areas of southern and eastern Arkansas is facing delays due to a pause in federal funding. This setback comes despite the promise of significant financial investment under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Originally, the law earmarked $918 million for watershed projects nationwide, with Arkansas slated to receive $96 million for improvements across 14 communities, overseen by the Arkansas Black Mayors Association. Pine Bluff alone was to benefit from $32 million of this funding. However, as of October 2024, Edwin Jones, CEO of Dallas-based EJES Inc., indicated that the required funds for Pine Bluff had increased to $50 million, forming part of a broader $200 million need.

The progress came to a halt on January 20 when President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled Unleashing American Energy, which prompted the termination of the Green New Deal. This order also paused funding sourced from both the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the IIJA. It mandates all agency heads to report on their financial disbursements, impacting the planned watershed improvements in Arkansas.

In September 2022, the Arkansas Black Mayors Association had reached an agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to manage the watershed initiative. Executive Director Frank Bateman confirmed that former NRCS Chief Terry Cosby had approved the construction and reconstruction plans by November of the same year.

Bateman remarked, "We were in the process of putting out an RFP (request for proposal) for design," highlighting the readiness to advance the project pending financial release. A contract was established with EJES and FTN Associates, now Olsson FTN, in Little Rock in May 2023.

Efforts to resume funding have included communication with Arkansas' congressional representatives, such as Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Representative Rick Crawford, whose district spans northern and eastern Arkansas. They aim to engage Representative Bruce Westerman, whose district covers Jefferson County and significant portions of southern Arkansas.

Senator Boozman conveyed his intent to collaborate with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to prioritize Arkansas' needs, stating, "My office has been in contact with the department...to make sure the needs of Natural State residents are met."

In light of the funding pause, an NRCS timeline had initially outlined a multi-phase approach: six to twelve months for preliminary investigation, 18 to 24 months for planning, another 18 to 24 months for design, and construction spanning two to five years. The planning phase alone was estimated to cost $11 million.

Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers emphasized the preventative nature of these efforts, noting the substantial costs involved for residents. "There are so many people struggling within the city proper and outside the city who cannot keep their homes dry and who cannot get insurance," she stated.

Meanwhile, a severe weather event earlier this month, triggered by a frontal boundary, resulted in significant flooding across Arkansas, particularly in areas targeted for watershed improvements. Frank Bateman confirmed, "Camden was hit pretty good and Forrest City was hit pretty good."

Pine Bluff and Altheimer, another community involved in the initiative, managed to avoid extensive damage. Altheimer Mayor Zola Hudson reported that "we missed a lot on our end," despite facing heavy rainfall.

As it stands, the Arkansas Black Mayors Association is awaiting authorization to proceed with the watershed projects, with hopes tied to changes in the current funding status.

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