(UALR Public Radio) -
Arkansas and Missouri officials have agreed to meet annually to study ways to protect watersheds and aquifers that cross state lines. The states say the agreement will help keep water fights out of the courtroom.
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe signed the bi-state water agreement with Missouri Governor Matt Blunt at an event today in Springfield, Mo. Beebe says the agreement is a contrast to the state's relationship with Oklahoma, which has sued Arkansas poultry firms over water quality issues.
The agreement calls for Missouri and Arkansas agencies dealing with water issues to meet at least annually, starting next year, and to produce a biennial report on the status of the agreement. It also calls on the states to develop and share monitoring and modeling of water quality in their shared watersheds.
