The Central Arkansas Water Commission reacted cautiously yesterday to a draft land use plan for the watershed of its chief water supply, Lake Maumelle. Its own consultant is at work on how the plan might affect water quality in the future. Caution is in order.
Citizens Protecting Maumelle Watershed have analyzed the latest version of the proposed plan, now with significant amendments inserted by Deltic Timber, the major property owner in the watershed. The allowable development in the watershed has grown to mind-boggling levels. Where the plan first approved by CAW would have allowed 6,000 to 7,000 new homes in the entire 79,000-acre watershed in three counties, the latest draft would allow 36,433 homes (some 90,000 people when built out, or more people than now live in Fort Smith) in Pulaski County alone.
Barry Haas of the Citizens group sent their statement last night: