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State Wetland Strategy
The  State Wetland Strategy outlines goals, objectives, action plan, and implementation schedule for state conservation efforts. Wetland scientists, policy-makers, landowners and agency regulators agree that case-by-case wetland permitting is not an overall conservation strategy, is often inconsistent and confusing to landowners, and usually does not result in "no net loss". The strategy promotes voluntary, incentive-based, locally lead conservation planning through implementation of the policy, watershed, and statewide objectives.
Policy
- Achieve "no-net loss" and a long-term net gain of wetland functions and values in each Region.
Watershed
- Characterize the composition, function, and landscape patterns of wetlands in Arkansas.
- Conduct analyses that identify priority wetland protection and restoration sites based on the characteristics, distribution and function of existing wetlands in Arkansas.
State-Wide
- Develop better understanding of wetland hydrology, composition, structure, functions and values as well as techniques for management and restoration through research on Arkansas wetlands.
- Increase the quantity and enhance the quality of Arkansas wetlands on public lands through coordinated acquisition and improved stewardship.
- Increase the level of public and landowner knowledge and benefits from wetland conservation on private lands through education and incentives for wetland protection, restoration, stewardship, and enhancement.
- Support creation of urban riparian/wetland greenbelts for education and urban wildlife habitats.
- Increase wetland information delivery to local government, the public, and schools.
- Develop administrative and organizational structure for private and public mitigation activities.
- Develop state capacity for tracking wetland activities and long-term monitoring of wetland restoration and protection efforts.
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