reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
AR Code § 15-20-210 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 2 - Arkansas Natural Resources Commission|§ 15-20-210. Underground aquifers

 It is found and determined by the General Assembly that:   (1) The Sparta Aquifer is being depleted and damaged by salt water instrusion;  (2) The preservation and protection of the Sparta Aquifer can best be accomplished through an interstate compact;  (3) The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission is currently authorized to enter into interstate compacts to protect interstate waters occurring in streams, lakes, reservoirs, and natural or artificial channels or impoundments; and  (4) The commission's authority should be expanded to allow it to enter into interstate compacts for the protection of underground aquifers.
AR Code § 15-20-301 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-301. Title

 This subchapter may be cited and referred to as the “Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973”.
AR Code § 15-20-302 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-302. State policy

 To the end that the environment and resources of the State of Arkansas shall be used and preserved for the welfare of all people, it is the policy of the State of Arkansas to:   (1) Preserve, manage, and enhance the lands, waters, and air of the state with full recognition that this generation is a trustee of the environment for succeeding generations;  (2) Preserve, to the fullest extent possible, areas of historical, geological, archeological, paleontological, ecological, biological, and recreational importance;  (3) Promote as wide a range of choice as possible among beneficial uses of the environment; and  (4) Strike a proper balance among population growth, economic development, environmental preservation, and ecological diversity.
AR Code § 15-20-303 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-303. System of natural areas — Establishment

 (a) A state system of natural areas, hereinafter called the “system”, is established.  (b) The system shall consist of lands, waters, and interests therein acquired and administered as provided in this subchapter.
AR Code § 15-20-304 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-304. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission — Establishment

 The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, hereinafter called the “commission”, is established.
AR Code § 15-20-305 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-305. Commission — Members

 (a)  (1) The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall consist of fifteen (15) members.  (2)  (A)  (i) Nine (9) of the members shall be appointed by the Governor from persons with an interest in the preservation of natural areas, with two (2) members to be appointed from each congressional district and one (1) member to be appointed from the state at large.  (ii) One (1) member of the commission shall be a member of the board of directors of a levee or drainage district.  (iii) One (1) member shall be chosen from a list of five (5) persons jointly nominated by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation and the Agricultural Council of Arkansas.  (iv) One (1) member shall be appointed by the Governor from the state at large subject to confirmation by the Senate.  (v) One (1) member shall be appointed by the Governor after consulting the Arkansas Wildlife Federation and subject to confirmation by the Senate.    (B) Three (3) members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to serve at the pleasure of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  (C) Three (3) members shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to serve at the pleasure of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.      (b) Any successor appointments and appointments to vacancies on the commission shall be appointed in the same manner.  (c) Members appointed by the Governor shall serve terms of nine (9) years, and all members shall serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified.  (d) When an appointment is made to fill a vacancy, the appointment shall be for the remaining term of the position vacated.  (e) A member of the commission appointed by the Governor who has served two (2) consecutive full terms shall not be eligible for reappointment for a period of one (1) year following the expiration of the second full term.  (f) Members of the commission appointed by the Governor shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.  (g) Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except that they may receive expense reimbursement and stipends in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq.  (h) In addition to the per diem, members shall be paid a mileage allowance equal to the rate designated for state employees for each mile in traveling from their homes and returning.
AR Code § 15-20-306 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-306. Commission — Organization

 (a) The Governor shall designate one (1) of the initial appointees as Chair of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.  (b) At its first meeting, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall elect a secretary from its membership and shall adopt procedural rules for transacting its business and keeping records thereof.  (c) Eight (8) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  (d) The chair shall have a vote in all cases.
AR Code § 15-20-309 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-309. Commission — Power to receive gifts of property and to acquire real estate for trade or exchange

 The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall have the following rights, powers, and duties in addition to those already established by law:   (1)  (A) To receive gifts, grants, donations, fee conveyances, or transfers of money and property, both real and personal, from private and public sources, or federal, or either, and to sell or dispose of such property, real and personal, or either, as the commission deems advisable.  (B) Any funds and income from any property described in subdivision (1)(A) of this section shall be deposited into the State Treasury into the Department of Arkansas Heritage Endowment Trust Fund and expended in the same manner as other state moneys are expended upon vouchers drawn by the Director of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission; and    (2)  (A) With the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and the Governor, to acquire, by purchase or otherwise, real property for the purpose of trade or exchange, and to trade or exchange any such property acquired for lands to be included in the system.  (B) However, the commission shall exercise this power in such a manner that any and all property acquired for the purpose of trade or exchange shall in fact be traded or exchanged forthwith and without delay.
AR Code § 15-20-310 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-310. Acquisition of natural areas properties — Categories

 (a) In choosing lands, waters, and interests therein for acquisition for the system, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall observe the policies set forth in § 15-20-302.  (b) The following categories of real property shall be eligible for inclusion in the system:  (1) Areas representative of the various types of lands and habitats typical of those portions of the state still substantially untrammeled by the works of humans;  (2) Areas of substantially undisturbed natural quality;  (3) Areas containing habitat for rare, vanishing, or endangered species, subspecies, or populations of animals or plants;  (4) Areas of unusual aesthetic or ecological quality along the banks of rivers, lakes, or streams;  (5) Areas in private ownership within the boundaries of national forests, wildlife refuges, state wildlife management areas, or similar publicly owned or administered areas;  (6) Swamps, overflow lands, flood plains, or wetlands of unusual aesthetic or ecological quality;  (7) Areas necessary or desirable to serve as buffer zones to protect other portions of the system; and  (8) Any other lands, waters, or interests therein listed in the Registry of Natural Areas.    (c) No acquisition of lands, waters, or any interests therein, whether by dedication or otherwise, shall become effective until after the Governor shall have received thirty (30) days' notice in writing.
AR Code § 15-20-311 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-311. Limitation on purchase of land

 (a)  (1) In any county in this state in which thirty-three percent (33%) or more of the total acreage in the county is publicly owned land, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall not purchase in excess of forty (40) acres per year.  (2) However, the commission may purchase not to exceed forty (40) additional acres in any year in any such county if it first obtains approval of the Legislative Council for such a purchase.    (b) The commission shall not under any circumstance purchase in excess of eighty (80) acres in any such county in any one (1) year unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation enacted by the General Assembly at a regular session, fiscal session, or extraordinary session.
AR Code § 15-20-312 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-312. Dedication of property — Definition

 (a) As used in this subchapter, “dedication” means the creation of a scenic, conservation, or environmental easement to be vested in and legally enforceable by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.  (b) Dedication may be either donative or for a consideration.  (c) The owner of the fee title to certain real property, whether a private individual, a private organization, or a public or governmental agency or department, may impress such an easement upon his, her, or its property by executing and delivering to the commission, with its consent, articles of dedication specifying the terms and conditions of the easement.  (d)  (1) Articles of dedication shall be in writing, under seal, and acknowledged.  (2) The commission shall cause the articles to be recorded by the recorder of deeds in each county wherein any portion of the property affected by the articles shall lie.
AR Code § 15-20-313 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-313. Designation of areas of local significance

 (a) The system and each portion of the system are declared to be areas of local significance within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. § 138.  (b) This chapter does not prohibit or prevent any project or activity authorized or undertaken pursuant to an act of the United States Congress.
AR Code § 15-20-314 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-314. Changes in property interests as result of dedication

 (a) Interests in land created by dedication shall be perpetual and may not be altered, changed, or modified unless the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall find, after public notice and hearing, that:  (1) The particular change, alteration, or modification is required by imperative public necessity;  (2) There is no feasible and prudent alternative thereto; and  (3) All possible planning has been done to minimize harm caused to the system thereby.    (b) At least thirty (30) days' written notice of any such hearing shall be given to:  (1) The Governor;  (2) Each official advisor to the commission;  (3) Each member of the General Assembly; and  (4) Each person, organization, or entity that shall have requested notice.    (c) Any finding made by the commission as a result of such a hearing shall be subject to judicial review under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq.  (d) No such alteration, change, or modification in any interest created by dedication shall become effective until the next regular session of the General Assembly following the fulfillment of this section shall have adjourned sine die.
AR Code § 15-20-315 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-315. Restrictions on alienation or encumbrance

 No portion of the system may be alienated or encumbered, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 15-20-314.
AR Code § 15-20-316 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-316. Exemptions to §§ 15-20-314 and 15-20-315

 None of the provisions of §§ 15-20-314 and 15-20-315 shall be deemed to apply to:   (1) The acquisition of land or the construction of structures thereon required for the operation of railroad facilities; or  (2) The construction of necessary public utility structures or facilities, the construction of which has been permitted by order of the Arkansas Public Service Commission or any successor agency, if the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission has been given notice of and an opportunity to comment upon and participate in each application and hearing which resulted in such an order of permission.
AR Code § 15-20-317 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-317. Fees for research services

 The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall establish by rule and operate a system of fees or special charges to defray the expense of providing research services to users of the natural heritage data system.
AR Code § 15-20-318 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-318. Use of funds

 Any moneys, funds, and property described in § 15-20-309 shall be used solely for the purpose of carrying out § 15-20-308.
AR Code § 15-20-319 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973|§ 15-20-319. Deposit of moneys

 Any moneys collected under § 15-20-317 shall be deposited into a bank account created specifically for the continuing operation of the natural heritage data system developed by the Nature Conservancy.
AR Code § 15-20-401 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 4 - Conservation Easement Act|§ 15-20-401. Title

 This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Conservation Easement Act”.
AR Code § 15-20-402 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 4 - Conservation Easement Act|§ 15-20-402. Definitions

 As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires:   (1) “Conservation easement” means a nonpossessory interest of a holder in real property imposing limitations or affirmative obligations, the purposes of which include retaining or protecting natural, scenic, or open-space values of real property; assuring its availability for agricultural, forest, recreational, or open-space use; protecting natural resources; maintaining or enhancing air or water quality; or preserving the historical, architectural, archeological, or cultural aspects of real property;  (2) “Holder” means:  (A) Any state agency, county, city of the first class or city of the second class, or incorporated town empowered to hold an interest in real property under the laws of this state or the United States; or  (B) A charitable corporation, charitable association, or charitable trust, the purposes or powers of which include retaining or protecting the natural, scenic, or open-space values of real property; assuring the availability of real property for agricultural, forest, recreational, or open-space use; protecting natural resources; maintaining or enhancing air or water quality; or preserving the historical, architectural, archeological, or cultural aspects of real property; and    (3) “Third-party right of enforcement” means a right provided in a conservation easement to enforce any of its terms granted to a governmental body, charitable corporation, charitable association, or charitable trust, which, although eligible to be a holder, is not a holder.
AR Code § 15-20-403 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 4 - Conservation Easement Act|§ 15-20-403. Applicability and construction

 (a) This subchapter applies to any interest created after July 4, 1983, which complies with this subchapter, whether designated as a conservation easement or as a covenant, equitable servitude, restriction, easement, or otherwise.  (b) This subchapter applies to any interest created before July 4, 1983, if it would have been enforceable had it been created after July 4, 1983, unless retroactive application contravenes the Arkansas Constitution, United States Constitution, or laws of this state or the United States.  (c) This subchapter does not invalidate any otherwise valid interest, whether designated as a conservation easement or preservation easement or as a covenant, equitable servitude, restriction, easement, or otherwise, which was created under §§ 15-20-301 — 15-20-308, 15-20-310, and 15-20-312 — 15-20-316, Acts 1975, No. 882 [repealed], or any other law of this state.  (d)  (1) This subchapter shall not be construed to imply that any restriction, easement, covenant, or condition which does not come within the purview of this subchapter, on account of any provisions hereof, shall be unenforceable.  (2) Nothing in this subchapter shall diminish the powers granted by any general or special law to acquire by purchase, gift, eminent domain, or otherwise and to use land for public purposes.  (3) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to repeal or diminish any of the powers, functions, or responsibilities of any state agency, county, city of the first class or city of the second class, or incorporated town.
AR Code § 15-20-404 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 4 - Conservation Easement Act|§ 15-20-404. Creation, conveyance, etc

 Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, a conservation easement may be created, conveyed, recorded, assigned, released, modified, terminated, or otherwise altered or affected in the same manner as other easements.
AR Code § 15-20-405 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 4 - Conservation Easement Act|§ 15-20-405. Acceptance

 No right or duty in favor of or against a holder and no right in favor of a person having a third-party right of enforcement arises under a conservation easement before its acceptance by the holder and a recordation of the acceptance.
AR Code § 15-20-406 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 4 - Conservation Easement Act|§ 15-20-406. Duration

 Except as provided in § 15-20-409(b), a conservation easement is unlimited in duration unless the instrument creating it provides otherwise.
AR Code § 15-20-407 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 4 - Conservation Easement Act|§ 15-20-407. Effect on existing interests

 An interest in real property in existence at the time a conservation easement is created is not impaired by it unless the owner of the interest is a party to the conservation easement or consents to it.
AR Code § 15-20-408 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 4 - Conservation Easement Act|§ 15-20-408. Validity

 A conservation easement is valid even though:   (1) It is not appurtenant to an interest in real property;  (2) It can be or has been assigned to another holder;  (3) It is not of a character that has been recognized traditionally at common law;  (4) It imposes a negative burden;  (5) It imposes affirmative obligations upon the owner of an interest in the burdened property or upon the holder;  (6) The benefit does not touch or concern real property; or  (7) There is no privity of estate or of contract.
AR Code § 15-20-409 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 20 - General Provisions|Subchapter 4 - Conservation Easement Act|§ 15-20-409. Judicial actions

 (a) An action affecting a conservation easement may be brought by:  (1) An owner of an interest in the real property burdened by the easement;  (2) A holder of the easement;  (3) A person having a third-party right of enforcement; or  (4) A person authorized by other law.    (b) This subchapter does not affect the power of a court to modify or terminate a conservation easement in accordance with the principles of law and equity.  (c) Conservation easements may be enforced by injunction or other proceeding in equity and shall entitle representatives of the holder to enter the land in a reasonable manner and at reasonable times to assure compliance.