North-Central Arkansas Hopes For Passage of Fertilizer Bill

Crooked Creek, in north-central Arkansas, is a popular fishing spot.
Image courtesy of Arkansas Game and Fish

The Senate has recently approved legislation to exempt ranches and farms around Crooked Creek in north-central Arkansas from fertilizer restrictions. According to the AP, the bill was approved 25-0 and if it becomes law, farmers and ranchers in the Crooked Creek watershed would have no restriction on the amount of fertilizer they apply to their land. The bill is a compromise agreed to by the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission. It was written by Rep. Monty Davenport of Yellville with the intent of reducing levels of phosphorous in many of the state's streams. High levels of phosphorous-a common ingredient found in commercial fertilizer???????(R)-can deplete oxygen in water; which promotes the growth of unsightly plants. There has been much discussion of late regarding high phosphorous levels in streams that flow into Oklahoma and Missouri. However, Crooked Creek's waters do not flow into these and the bill was approved because the extra fertilizer would only affect the immediate area.