White House funding pause halts State’s flood mitigation plan
TL/DR –
The plan to improve watersheds in Arkansas, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, has been halted due to a pause in federal funding. Arkansas was allocated $96 million for watershed improvement in 14 communities, with Pine Bluff set to receive $50 million towards its needs, but an executive order by President Trump called for termination of the Green New Deal, pausing funding. The Arkansas Black Mayors Association has been in touch with three of Arkansas’ congressional delegates about possibly releasing the funds, while the rebuilding of watersheds could take up to 10 years if funding is resumed.
Federal Funding Pause Halts Arkansas Watershed Improvement Plan
A federal funding pause has delayed a plan to improve watersheds and mitigate flooding in Pine Bluff and other areas in southern and eastern Arkansas. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, initially allocated $96 million to Arkansas for a watershed improvement project in 14 communities led by the Arkansas Black Mayors Association.
However, President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Unleashing American Energy,” issued on Jan. 20, has led to a pause in funding, affecting watershed plans. The order demands agency heads to report their review of processes, policies, and programs for issuing grants, loans, contracts, or any other financial disbursements of appropriated funds.
The Arkansas Black Mayors Association had contracted with EJES and FTN Associates, currently known as Olsson FTN in May 2023. The association is now in talks with Arkansas’ congressional delegates to release the designated funds.
If funding restarts, Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers suggests the rebuilding process could take eight to 10 years after preliminary phases. She emphasized the urgency of flood prevention, noting the struggles faced by many residents in keeping their homes dry and acquiring insurance.
The association’s project is one of three facing a funding pause, while funding for 13 other watershed projects remain cleared. This comes after recent storms led to substantial flooding in Arkansas, with Camden and Forrest City being hit particularly hard.
According to Association Executive Director Frank Bateman, Pine Bluff, Camden, Forrest City, Helena-West Helena, and Marianna have funding for design and construction independent of the jobs act funds. However, the other nine communities within the plan lack the necessary components for construction.
During a public comment forum in October, Edwin Jones, chief executive of EJES Inc., mentioned that parts of Pine Bluff would be served by a Caney Bayou watershed project and a Bayou Bartholomew project. The projects were estimated to cost $29.3 million and above $25.5 million from the federal allocation, respectively.
Despite recent heavy rains, Altheimer and Pine Bluff avoided major damage from the recent destructive weather event. Altheimer Mayor Zola Hudson attributes this to functioning pumps that properly drained the excessive rainwater.
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