About Us —
Citizens Protecting Maumelle Watershed (CPMW)

Mission Statement

To assure sound management of the Maumelle Watershed as a community resource while maintaining the highest quality drinking water at the least cost.

Our Concern

Competing interests who would like to develop land around Lake Maumelle despite warnings that development in critical areas could jeopardize water quality.

Our Method
Lobby for appropriate regulations and laws.

Monitor activity in the Maumelle Watershed.

Obtain knowledge and information relevant to Lake Maumelle.

Participated in the development of a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan.

Provide education to the public about Lake Maumelle and the issues that affect it.

Work collaboratively with existing organizations and public officials at local, state, national and federal levels.

History of Citizens Protecting Maumelle Watershed

In February of 2005 a few hundred people of all ages from all over central Arkansas gathered on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol in the classic format of a grass roots rally with posters in hand and speakers to express to their state legislators their opposition to Senate Bill 230. This was the dramatic scene that gave birth to an organization that would later become known as Citizens Protecting Maumelle Watershed. 

The reason for the opposition to Senate Bill 230 was that it would have limited the ability of the water utility (Central Arkansas Water) to protect the water supply.  SB230 would have allowed development along the shore of the lake with very little regulation. Lake Maumelle, man-made in the late 1950s, serves as the source of drinking water to 360,000 people in the central Arkansas area. It is also an ecosystem that supports fishing, sail boating, bird watching and hiking. The Ouachita National Hiking Trail runs along the north shore of the lake.

SB230 was defeated after a period of several weeks of consideration and debate. It was defeated as the result of efforts of many people, including members of the House of Representatives. Citizens Protecting Maumelle Watershed, CPMW, was notable because they organized rapidly, informed the public and mobilized so many people quickly.

After the dust settled from the SB230 threat, CPMW realized there was a need for continued monitoring of Lake Maumelle and its entire watershed in order to advocate sound stewardship practices for this large natural resource.

The Lake Maumelle Watershed is approaching a critical time. The pressure to build on the lake is ever increasing. The western city limits of Little Rock are rapidly growing closer to the lake. Many questions need to be answered. Where can one build near the lake and not effect the water quality? What building methods are to be used? What other uses can the land near the lake serve? Who is to regulate the development around the lake? Who is to answer all these questions?