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The Arkansas Water Resources Center publishes this e-newsletter each month to highlight research, faculty, news and important events.
April 2014

AWRC Conducts Survey

The Arkansas Water Resources Center has commissioned a survey of stakeholders to gauge perceptions of communication efforts by the center and identify communication needs.

The study, conducted by agricultural communications faculty and graduate students in the U of A department of agricultural education, communications and technology, is now in its first phase. Current students and faculty on the University of Arkansas campus will also be surveyed.

The stakeholder survey is available online and takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Members of the AWRC technical advisory committee, those that currently or have previously worked in the industry, and anyone interested in water resources are encouraged to complete the survey. For more information, please contact Tara Johnson at tljohnso@email.uark.edu.

Brian Haggard, director of the Arkansas Water Resources Center, encourages all stakeholders to participate.

“The results of this survey will give us an idea of what we are doing well with our communication initiatives and how we can improve.  The data will guide how we develop our information transfer strategy,” Haggard said.


Cardin-Boozman Bill

Dr. Brian Haggard, director of the Arkansas Water Resources Center, will travel to Washington D.C. to read testimony to the House Appropriations Committee regarding the Water Resources Research Act (WRRA).

“I’ll be reading testimony in support of funding the WRRA program,” said Haggard.

Senate Bill 970 by Senators Cardin and Boozman will reauthorize the WRRA program which is a line item in the federal budget. Water institutes like ours were created with programmatic funding established under WRRA in 1964, as amended in 1984. 

“The bill is expected to go to the Senate floor, which has to happen by unanimous consent these days,” said Haggard. “This particular bill is likely non-partisan, but you never know for sure.”

Once through the Senate floor, the House and Senate will hopefully  appropriate funding for our program allowing us to continue supporting faculty and students. 

Haggard will speak to the House on April 10th

USGS Celebrates 135th Birthday

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) celebrated its 135th birthday on March 3rd. USGS serves our nation by providing reliable scientific information that can be used in many different ways: to describe and understand the earth; to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters; to manage water, ecosystem, energy, and mineral resources; and to enhance and protect our quality of life. 

Fundamental knowledge of the land and its resources is a basic need for an effective government and a productive economy in any nation. 

"The real strength of the modern USGS is the incredibly broad range of scientific expertise," said Erin Scott, project manager. "USGS scientists study everything from natural hazards to water availability to wildlife disease."

To learn more about USGS and its role during the past 135 years, click here


AWRC Water Quality Lab

The AWRC Water Quality Lab is certified or accredited by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for analyses of multiple constituents in water samples. 
 
“We have a variety of excellent services available through our lab,” said Erin Scott, project manager. “You can choose one of our analytical packages or customize an assessment to meet your needs.”
 
There are nine packages available and were designed for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Packages vary from testing for a fish pond, livestock, wells and irrigation.
 
For more information on the AWRC Water Quality Lab click here.  

Annual Conference

In our last newsletter we announced this year's conference titled "Watersheds, Wicked Problems and Water Words" scheduled for July 15 - 16

"We are still in the planning phase, but are nailing down more details almost daily," said Erin Scott, project manager.

This year's conference will include the following sessions: 
  • Disinfection by-products in drinking water treatment
  • Environmental flows: what, why and how?
  • Unconventional natural gas extraction: policy and research
  • Big Creek and the Buffalo River Watershed
  • Water words that work and effective communication
Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks. 

Washington County Spring Cleanup

Washington County's Environmental Affairs department is hosting the Washington County Spring Cleanup. 

The following will be accepted free of charge from Washington County residents:
  • Furniture
  • Carpet
  • Roofing
  • Bricks
  • Vinyl Siding
  • Bathroom Fixtures
  • Construction Materials
  • Insulation
  • Concrete
  • Treated Lumber
Items will be accepted at Waste Management's Eco Vista Landfill in Tontitown and Boston Mountain Solid Waste District in Prairie Grove.  For more information click here

Above Jennifer Purtle is testing samples for phosphorus in the AWRC Water Quality Lab.  For more information on the lab, click here

Upcoming Events

04/11
Rain Garden Workshop - Huntsville, Ark. 
04/12
Earth Day Hike at Hobbs - Rogers, Ark.
04/17
Board Meeting - Beaver Water District - Lowell, Ark. 
04/19
Washington County Spring Cleanup 
04/19
Fisher Ford Re-Vegetation Project - Siloam Springs, Ark. 
04/26
Pack Rat Demo Boating Day - Fayetteville, Ark.

04/26
East Fork of the White River Cleanup - Elkins, Ark.
04/27
AWW & WEA Association Conference - Hot Springs, Ark.



If you would like to add your event to this list, please email Tara Johnson at tljohnso@email.uark.edu.
Copyright © 2013 Arkansas Water Resources Center, All rights reserved.