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<br />ARKANSAS <br /> <br />Arkansas has a legisltively authorized natural and scenic river act that <br />was passed in 1979. The act provides for three classes of rivers - natural, <br />scenic, and pastoral - based on the relative degrees of development and scenic <br />qualities of the corridor. General criteria for classification are stated in <br />the act. To date, no streams have been designated as part of the state Natural <br />and Scenic River system. The administration of the system \Jas assigned to <br />Natural and Scenic River Commission which was created by the act. The <br />commission consists of twelve members appointed by the governor to represent <br />farming, forestry, conservation and free-flowing stream interests, An advisory <br />council provides assistance to the Commission, ~ <br /> <br />The commission, based upon the classification and evaluation criteria, <br />decides the priority of rivers to be considered for inclusion into the system. <br />An advisory committee is created, after a river has been selected for potential <br />designation, to work with the Commission on planning for management and <br />protection of the river. At least one public hearing must by held after the <br />advisory committee has been appointed and a management plan drawn up. The <br />commission then submits a report to the Legislature showing the proposed area <br />and classification, the characteristics which qualify the river for inclusion <br />into the system, the general ownership and land use in the area and the <br />management plan approved by the commission, The Quorum Court of each county on <br />which the corridor lies must approve the management plan before it is submitted <br />to the General Assembly. The management plan is not effective until enacted <br />into law by the General Assembly. <br /> <br />The commission does not have the power of' eminent domain. <br /> <br />At this time, the Commission has selected six streams upon which to focus <br />its efforts. Local landowners along these streams are being contacted in an <br />attempt to obtaim their participation in the program. Only one local advisory <br />committee has been established. <br /> <br />Cor:TACT: Director <br />Arkansas Natural and Scenic <br />Rivers Commission <br />Suite 500 <br />Continental Building <br />Maine & Markham Streets <br />Little Rock, AR 72201 <br />(501) 371-8134 <br /> <br />BIBLIOGRAPHY: <br /> <br />"Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System Act of 1979", Natural and Scenic <br />Rivers Commissior.. <br /> <br />4 <br />