An $8 million loan has been approved for the White River Regional Irrigation District in Prairie County to continue construction of the Grand Prairie Demonstration Project.
The project is designed to provide surface water irrigation to more than 362,000 acres within critical groundwater areas once completed.
The approval represents the largest share of an $8.2 million water infrastructure funding announcement from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
FUNDING SUPPORTS CONTINUED IRRIGATION CONSTRUCTION
The White River Regional Irrigation District’s $8 million loan comes through the General Obligation Bond Program.
According to the announcement, the additional money will support continued construction of the Grand Prairie Demonstration Project. The announcement did not provide a completion date.
Sanders said reliable water infrastructure is essential to Arkansas farms, businesses and families, and that the approved projects will strengthen critical systems and support economic growth.
ARKANSAS FACES LONG-TERM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said the state faces more than $20 billion in water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years because of aging systems and insufficient capacity.
Chris Colclasure, director of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division, said investments in irrigation, drinking water and wastewater systems support dependable service for agriculture, businesses and residents.
According to the announcement, $2.8 billion in state and federal funding has been approved for water and wastewater projects benefiting all 75 Arkansas counties since Sanders took office.
ADDITIONAL LOANS APPROVED FOR BLACK ROCK AND STAMPS
The funding package also includes a $100,000 emergency loan for sewer lift station improvements in Black Rock and a $100,000 emergency loan for wastewater treatment plant repairs in Stamps.
Both loans come through the Water Development Fund. The projects serve reported customer bases of 590 in Black Rock and 1,258 in Stamps.
ARKANSAS WATER PLAN UPDATE UNDERWAY
Sanders initiated a comprehensive review and update of the Arkansas Water Plan through Executive Order 23-27 in 2023.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the 1st phase in August 2024. According to the announcement, the 2nd phase is underway and scheduled for completion in 2026.
The plan guides management of Arkansas water resources, including water supply, demand and quality.
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