Ark. Code Ann. § 8-5-901: Legislative findings and intent

The General Assembly hereby finds that many areas of the state would benefit from long-term environmental remediation projects that significantly improve the effects caused by industrial or extractive activities. However, commitments by private enterprise to remedy such damages are discouraged by the prospect of civil liability based upon rigid application of state water quality standards to the enterprise's activities. The purpose of this subchapter is to preserve the state's approach to establishing water quality standards, while also encouraging private enterprises to make significant improvements to closed or abandoned sites that are of such magnitude that more than three (3) years would be required to complete the project.