The residents of Fulton and McNab, Arkansas are interested in a solutions-based study about flood prevention and flood damage reduction for landowners, agricultural producers, neighborhoods and municipalities. In partnership with independent experts as trusted sources, the solutions will explore potential for green infrastructure, economy and hydraulic efficiency of culverts, and roadway ditch design to address persistent residential and roadway flooding. It will also contribute to reduction of downstream flood peaks and the effects of erosion and sedimentation by floodwaters.
Hempstead County, Arkansas is a rural community rich in history and culture with around 19,343 residents (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023). The county has long been a cultural, travel, commerce, and settlement crossroads. Native American Caddoan cultures lived in villages along the Red River. Post-European settlement, travel and tensions were significant due to its shared border with the Spanish territory (later Mexico) and imperialistic westward expansion. In 1836, when Arkansas became a state, Hempstead was one of the original counties, producing twelve counties as the years progressed. In the post-Civil War South the Freedmen’s Bureau Southwest District field office was established in the County.
In the present day, key demographic constituencies include Black or African American residents (30%), Hispanic or Latino individuals (15.6%), seniors 21% of the population and 24% are under the age of 18. These communities are concentrated across various municipalities, creating localized pockets of vulnerability within the Project Area.
The natural environment in Hempstead County challenges the area’s residents, businesses and agricultural pursuits. The Red River valley and its tributaries have long been prone to flooding, with the McKinney-Posten Bayous Watershed and Bridge Creek Watershed being particularly impacted. Additionally, proximity to high-traffic roadways and industrial activity increases pollution, further threatening the watershed and groundwater supply.
In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri brought the worst winter storm to the Southern Plains in 30 years, severely impacting communities across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The Fulton Waterworks utility was offline for five days. In response, Ms. Sylvia C. Brown, founder and chairperson of the project organization lead is a seasoned public policy analyst and community organizer. Drawing on her expertise, she organized the Ad Hoc Committee on Fulton Water Operations, which was administratively managed by Visibility Outreach Touch Engage South Arkansas (VOTE SoAR). She recruited trusted local leaders and spearheaded a petition that not only highlighted the community’s demands but also provided solutions and offered partnership with utility managers.
Later, the Ad Hoc Committee was selected for the Trust Building Support Initiative sponsored by River Network and WaterNow Alliance. Leaders at River Network connected the Ad Hoc Committee to Anthropocene Alliance (A2), which has since provided continued support for the committee, now formally absorbed into VOTE SoAR. VOTE SoAR’s partnership with A2 led to the opportunity to work with Thriving Earth Exchange.
Hempstead County faces significant environmental challenges. The County includes 19 census blocks, 18 of which were designated as EPA Disadvantaged Communities by the Inflation Reduction Act (PL 117-169). Four of the seven census tracts in the county were classified as “disadvantaged” by the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool due to climate change impacts.
In addition to these features, the area ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for drinking water non-compliance, the 85th percentile for wastewater discharge, and the 83rd percentile for exposure to Particulate Matter 2.5, according to EJScreen’s Supplemental Indexes. Many communities within the county experience even higher levels of these environmental stressors, compounding existing vulnerabilities.
These factors make Hempstead County an ideal location for hosting a series that brings attention to the impacts of polluting industries, climate-driven disasters, and the need for sustainable transitions. By focusing on areas directly affected by these challenges, such as ours, this series can amplify local voices, raise awareness, and inspire action toward equitable and sustainable solutions.
In partnership with independent experts that use layperson language and enough detailed information for residents to understand the merits of the solutions/alternatives, stakeholders can determine whether a Plan-Environmental Assessment or Plan-Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared. With this knowledge we are able to advocate for funding with government agencies, including the sponsoring local government, identify additional funding sources, and activate neighborhood and community leaders to increase community participation in implementing flood reduction measures that reduce or prevent flood water damages, identify and implement watershed public education campaigns and produce collateral through a culturally relevant lens.
Sylvia C. Brown is a multi-faceted professional with 20-plus years of experience implementing and supporting local, state, and federal government electoral and issue campaigns and grassroots community engagement.
Sylvia founded and chairs Visibility Outreach Touch Engage South Arkansas, a nonprofit community collective finding joy in civic engagement, community building and sharing power. VOTE SoAR’s mission is to foster community-led solutions to modern challenges, with a focus on environmental justice, civic engagement, and equitable resource distribution.
Bwalya Elisabeth Funga has over ten years of experience in urban and socio-economic planning, community engagement, research, gender and social inclusion, and climate change. She has worked with both local and international organizations.she is specialized in climate change initiatives, food systems, community engagement, and water security. She is committed to continuous learning, inclusive urban development, innovation, integrity, accountability, and sustainable urban futures.
The science expert should have expertise in flood risk management and be able to collect data that will help the town address environmental challenges.
Thriving Earth Exchange asks all scientific partners to work with the community to help define a project with concrete local impact to which they can contribute as pro-bono volunteers and collaborators. This work can also position the scientists and communities to seek additional funding, together, for the next stage.
Anthropocene Alliance is a national network of over 400 communities impacted by climate change and environmental abuse. We do that by providing scientific, technical, fundraising and community organizing assistance. We have connected several of our member communities to Thriving Earth Exchange and are now seeking to collaborate with VOTE-SoAR on their stormwater management project. We hope to be involved in connecting VOTE-SoAR to additional local partners and resources, including the South West Environmental Finance Center and WaterNow Alliance. We will also support stakeholder engagement efforts and work to raise awareness about the project.
