LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers have advanced a proposed five-year ban on new hog farms in the Buffalo National River watershed, after an effort by opponents to reject the new regulation stalled before a legislative panel.
The Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday endorsed the ban on new medium and large hog farms. The ban could go before the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission next week.
An effort by opponents of the regulation to reject the new rule failed before the panel. Independent Rep. Nate Bell of Mena said he believed the regulation infringes on property owners' rights.
The ban is a compromise among environmental representatives, the Arkansas governor's office and some state lawmakers. It would have no effect on C&H Hog Farms that's on Big Creek, which has faced opposition from environmental groups.