Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

AGFC controls, manages, restores, conserves and regulates bird, fish, game and wildlife resources of the state, including acquiring and establishing hatcheries, sanctuaries, refuges, reservations and all property now owned or used for these purposes under the auspices of a seven member commission appointed by the Governor for seven-year terms.   Some of the AGFC programs related directly and indirectly to the NPS Management Program are listed below:

Water Development Projects.  Coordinate among federal, state, and other interests to protect fish and wildlife resources on private and public lands associated with federal water development activities, including to: (1) review and evaluate federally permitted projects such as Section 404 Permits (Clean Water Act), and Section 10 Permits (Rivers and Harbors Act) administered by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers; (2) identify and recommend opportunities for fish and wildlife restoration and enhancement features associated with planning of federal and state water development projects; and (3) coordinate with federal assistance programs (Section 1135, Section 206, and Section 22 programs) administered by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Stream Teams are voluntary groups of citizens interested in working on water conservation efforts sponsored by a coalition of agencies and private groups, including the AGFC, Keep Arkansas Beautiful, ADEQ, Audubon Arkansas, USDA NRCS, the Arkansas Bass Association, the ANRC, the Arkansas Cattleman’s Association, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, the Arkansas Chapter of the Sierra Club and about two dozen other agencies and groups.  Stream Teams help control litter, work on stream bank stabilization projects, improve fish habitat, and monitor water quality.  Some 500 stream teams are active in Arkansas.

Threatened and Endangered Species Conservation.  In cooperation with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), AGFC has developed and maintains conservation programs for resident federally-listed threatened and endangered species

Wildlife Conservation State Grants Program.  AGFC offers competitive grants to public agencies, universities and nonprofit organizations to conserve non-game species of concern and their habitats, including aquatic species and habitats. 

Nature Centers.  The Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center located in Pine Bluff opened in 2001, followed by the Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro. The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center opened in Fort Smith in 2005.  The final center will be located in central Arkansas.  These nature centers offer an opportunity to expand water quality education for the general public; for example, the Pine Bluff center focuses on wetlands education.

Lakes and Wildlife Management Areas.  AGFC manages more than 100 lakes and wildlife management areas spanning thousands of acres in Arkansas.