USDA conservation partnership removes two waterways from Arkansas impaired waters list

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that two of the 10 segments of the Illinois River on Arkansas’ impaired waters list have been removed due to conservation partnership efforts that have reduced their turbidity, or haziness.

“Agricultural producers know NRCS [National Resources Conservation Service] practices are based on sound science that helps them remain productive and competitive, while providing water quality and environmental protection,” Illinois River Sub-Basin and Eucha-Spavinaw Lake Watershed Initiative (IRWI) Executive Director Delia Haak said. “We want to help agricultural producers be successful and assist them with the tools and knowledge they need to implement best management practices.”

Through the NCRS and IRWI, Bruce Norindr, a poultry farmer operating in the Lower Muddy Fork Watershed, was able to build a 2,641-square-foot composting facility that uses organic matter and chicken litter.

“When Mr. Norindr purchased his farm, the previous owner didn’t say he couldn’t use the existing stacking shed (used to store chicken litter) as a composter for chickens,” NRCS District Conservationist in Washington County Rhonda Foster said.

Norindr said that the facility and the technical assistance received from the IRWI to better operate it will aid in his operations, allowing him to dispose of chicken carcasses without impacting the watershed.