Forests and Drinking WaterAFA Annual Meeting

October 5, 2016

Arkansas Forestry Commission

MISSION

To protect Arkansas’s forests and those who enjoy them from wildland fire and natural hazards

while promoting rural and urban forest health, stewardship, development and conservation

for all generations of Arkansans

AFC VISION

Arkansas’s healthy rural and urban forests provide clean air and water, functioning ecosystems, economic and social benefits. An agency of leaders in forest protection, emergency response, and forest management is committed to maintaining and enhancing these attributes.

Facts About ArkansasFacts About Arkansas

• Arkansas ranks 27Arkansas ranks 27thth in size among the States, with a area of 53,187 in size among the States, with a area of 53,187 square miles (34 million acres) square miles (34 million acres)

• 56% of Arkansas is forested (19 million acres)56% of Arkansas is forested (19 million acres)• There are 2.97 million people living in ArkansasThere are 2.97 million people living in Arkansas• There are 11.8 billion trees growing within Arkansas’s forests (3,973 There are 11.8 billion trees growing within Arkansas’s forests (3,973

trees/person)trees/person)• The private non-industrial sector owns 68% of the forestland.The private non-industrial sector owns 68% of the forestland.• The timber in the State is growing faster than being harvested. The timber in the State is growing faster than being harvested. • In 2014, 14.7 million tons of pine were delivered to mills, $533 milIn 2014, 14.7 million tons of pine were delivered to mills, $533 mil• Ouachita National Forest is the oldest national forest in the SouthOuachita National Forest is the oldest national forest in the South• The State has over 600,000 acres are lakes with 9,740 miles of The State has over 600,000 acres are lakes with 9,740 miles of

streams.streams.• The Arkansas River is the longest stream to flow into the The Arkansas River is the longest stream to flow into the

Mississippi-Missouri river system. Its total length is 1,450 milesMississippi-Missouri river system. Its total length is 1,450 miles• The lowest point in the state occurs along the Ouachita River, 54ft The lowest point in the state occurs along the Ouachita River, 54ft

elevationelevation• The State’s highest point is 2,753 feet elevation at Mount MagazineThe State’s highest point is 2,753 feet elevation at Mount Magazine

QUESTIONS?