TO: Arkansas Natural Resources Commission
PETITIONERS STATE:
We the undersigned hereby petition the Commission to overturn/deny the Director of Arkansas Natural Resources’ approval of the CAW/WMWA request for Service Area Expansion for water in Pulaski and Perry Counties. A majority of the proposed water service expansion area’s acreage, consisting of 4,445 acres or 6.95 square miles, belongs to two developers who initiated the CAW/WMWA request according to a Central Arkansas Water “CAW” official at the June 24, 2024 public hearing. One of the developers who operates in this area also has a history of enforcement issues with state and federal agencies and has been issued two “cease and desist” orders by the Corps of Engineers and an “Administrative Order of Consent” by the EPA along with several “Consent Administrative Orders” by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Our natural resources include private and public drinking water wells and should be guaranteed protections by the Natural Resources Division prior to approval of potable water which could usher in sewage treatment plant usage for a bad actor.
The main reasons we oppose the CAW/WMWA service area expansion for water service are as follows:
1. Water service to this area will mainly benefit two (2) developers who own a majority of the acreage in the proposed service area for expansion & asked for this new service. CAW could not name one resident who requested the new service. One developer has a history of disregard for impacts to natural resources.
2. The current infrastructure was paid for and is currently being paid for via $32/month surcharge by the Wye Mountain Water Association (WMWA) users which will make possible new water to the expansion area. The WMWA water users should not be forced to pay for infrastructure that will benefit mainly 2 developers and a large water utility (CAW). This is reprehensible.
3. CAW held a poorly advertised meeting on June 24, 2024. Information on costs to voluntarily connect to the public line was missing at that meeting (example: monthly water consumption costs including $32 surcharge, one time ~$720 meter connection, etc.) and was necessary for residents to make an informed decision about this proposal. Since that meeting, many have learned facts not presented and are vocally against.
4. CAW failed to ask for comments from all the water systems within five (5) miles of the proposed expansion. The Bigelow Waterworks was not contacted and they are 2.83 miles from the proposed expansion.