Senate committee advances bill to codify Buffalo River Conservation Committee

Ms. Urban told the Senate committee SB536 would codify a gubernatorial executive order establishing the Buffalo River Conservation Committee and formalize a group already meeting to address infrastructure and conservation needs around the Buffalo River. "We have probably close to 40 stakeholders," she said, describing in‑county meetings and virtual sessions that included county judges from Newton and Searcy counties and local residents.

The sponsor said the committee identified projects to address wear on unpaved roads that county road departments must maintain and that inadequate road construction and erosion are contributing pollutants to the Buffalo River. She also said the committee helped Jasper with water‑system issues strained by tourism, citing a lack of restrooms and parking that has increased local infrastructure pressure.

On funding, Ms. Urban said the governor initially provided about $1 million for committee efforts and that participating agencies have absorbed ongoing administrative costs. "The million dollars has literally been to just fund, you know, these additional needs that have been highlighted for that area," she said, and added that volunteers have contributed substantial time to subcommittees.

The bill's backers named Secretary Wes Ward and other officials as committee leaders and asked the committee to continue the work. Following brief questions about expenses and administrative burden, a committee member moved that the bill "do pass"; the motion was seconded and SB536 was approved by voice vote in committee.

The bill will proceed from committee for further consideration.