FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senator Bryan B. King
bryan.king@senate.ar.gov
February 2, 2026
The Arkansas State Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee will meet at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 4, at the Berryville Community Center located at 601 Dr. Spurlin Circle, Berryville, AR 72616.
The main topic of discussion will be an interim study of healthy rivers and streams proposed by myself.
A little history about myself; my brother built contract houses with Tyson Foods in 1992. With our father, my brother and I own and operate a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO).
Over 25 years ago the state of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit against Tyson Foods and several other poultry companies accusing them of contaminating the Illinois River Watershed (a river system in northeastern Oklahoma).
Ag Daily noted the lawsuit contended “for decades, chicken waste applied as fertilizer in the region has led to elevated phosphorus levels, degrading water quality and fueling harmful algal growth.”
In response to the Oklahoma lawsuit, then Governor Mike Huckabee appointed me to the Nutrient Management Advisory Committee.
Now, after nearly 20 years of litigation, U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell has issued a final judgment in the Oklahoma lawsuit. In the judgment, the companies are ordered to pay for cleanup and long-term oversight of the Illinois River Watershed.
During the litigation timeframe, Arkansas passed a series of laws to deal with the Oklahoma lawsuit. Due to a possible similar lawsuit with Missouri, the White River Basin was included in those laws. Our family property is in the watershed that flows to Table Rock Lake. The steps taken by the Arkansas legislature were before I was elected to state office.
I have led several rivers and streams meetings with very diverse groups over the past two years. I understand first-hand farm management plans. We have had some great discussion on the issues concerning our rivers and streams, leading to news articles I can share with you.
In response to the information gathered from those meetings, I am filing an interim study proposal. Interim study bills are a discussion starting point outside the time the legislature is in session.
The interim study bill I’m proposing would direct $25 million for rivers and streams studies to North Arkansas College and University of Arkansas. The studies would review validation of farm plans, all other non-point source entities, localize study plans and include balanced local groups from farmers/ranchers to local watershed groups. Gravel Bar buildup , stream bank erosion, population growth and impact of developments along rivers are to be included in the study.
I would welcome the opportunity to explain the interim study proposal in detail.
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