Statewide cooperation on wetland policy issues began in 1993 when Governor Jim Guy Tucker issued Executive Order #94-03 creating the Water Resources and Wetlands Task Force. Task Force membership included representatives from federal and state agencies, environmental organizations, tourism and agricultural interests, academic institutions, as well as members of the Arkansas general Assembly. The Task Force developed the following mission statement:

The Wetlands and Water Resource Task Force is to develop recommendations to he Governor that will result in the preservation and protection of Arkansas water and wetland resources, including conserving, enhancing, and restoring the acreage, quality, biological diversity and ecosystem sustainability of Arkansas Wetlands, and recommendations regarding the long term health of the aquifers (groundwater) including surface water projects, restoration and clean water initiatives as they relate to agriculture and wetlands."

The Task Force recommended two legislative initiatives that were passed during the 1995 legislative session. Acts 561 and 562 authorized two new conservation programs to be administered by the Arkansas Soil & Water Conservation Commission. The first program provided state income tax credit for wetland creation and riparian zone restoration. The second program established a state-sponsored mitigation-banking program.

ACT 561- Arkansas Private Wetland and Riparian Zone Creation and Restoration Incentives Act. An Act to create tax credit incentives for the creation and restoration of private wetlands and riparian zones; and for other purposes. Up to $50,000 total credit for each project and a maximum annual credit of $5,000/project for up to 10 years.

• WZRTC Rules
• WZRTC Application
• Riparian Fact Sheet

ACT 562- Arkansas Wetlands Mitigation Bank Act. An Act to create an Arkansas Wetlands Mitigation Bank; allow for purchase, creation, restoration, or enhancement of wetlands by the state of Arkansas; allow for sale of credits on wetlands for meeting federal permit requirements; use the Arkansas Water Development Fund for financial aspects of the mitigation bank; and other purposes.

• Mitigation Banking Rules
• Mitigation Banking Legislation
• Mitigation Banking Fact Sheet

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