An Arkansas Bill that sparked concerns about the future of a moratorium in the Buffalo River Watershed has been amended.

Numerous media reports this week state that the amendments were added in through negotiations with the House Sponsor of the Bill along with State Agencies including the Governor's Office. 

The amendments would protect current moratoriums in both the Buffalo River and Maumelle Watersheds while outlining procedures for future proposed moratoriums. 

In an interview with KTLO, Mountain Home Representative Stetson Painter says the amendment lifts any requirement for those two moratoriums having to be officially be renewed to remain in place. Painter adds that his concern was the process of how these issues were being decided and wanted to protect farmers who have been in operation for decades and have been following regulations from moratoriums that could threaten their business. Painter adds that the bill was not designed to try and reestablish a Hog Farm Operation like the one that was closed in the Buffalo River Watershed 10 years ago, Painter says the new bill gives the Legislature more control over the proposed establishing or removing of any moratorium in watershed areas. 

Painter added that with the negotiations complete, he expects Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to sign the bill into law. 

More details from several stories on this issue can be found on the KTLO Website.