City Council

ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 1 Natural Resources Drive, Lithe Rock AR 72205 rieulture. arkar Say.- Huckabee Sanders a vlles Ward Goverror 501) 225- 1598 Secretary of Agriculture May 28, 2026 D v , Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District ac, PO Box 840 Cherokee Village, Arkansas 72525 Dear Commissioners: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture ( Department) appreciated the opportunity to discuss the status of Lake Sequoyah Dam with Commissioner Stallsworth, Council Member Thompson, Governor' s Office Representative Rachel Smith, and State Representative Trey Steimel on May 20, 2026. This letter is intended to provide you with the current status of dams in the Cherokee Village Suburban Development District ( CVSID) and clarifies the role of the Department with respect to the Olsson Engineering report titled " CVSID Lake Sequoyah Dam and Spillway Potential Modifications, Existing Conditions Assessment, Conceptual Improvement Codifications, Engineer' s Opinion of Probable Cost, Recommendations for Future Action" ( herein, Olsson Report). Sequoyah Lake Dam A study of the existing earthen dam and spillway of the Lake Sequoyah Dam was conducted by Olsson Engineering in 2025 and documented in the January 27, 2026, Olsson Report. As discussed at the May 20th meeting, this study was not requested by the Department, nor initiated in response to a regulatory requirement from the Department. Additionally, the analysis is not part of the operation renewal process as the Sequoyah Lake Dam permit is valid through 2033. The Department received a copy of the Olsson report from CVSID Chairman, Brent Hunstad on May 23, 2026. Please note that the Department did conduct a condition assessment of Sequoyah Lake Dam on June 28, 2024. The structure was inspected as part of an effort to identify high hazard dams most in need of maintenance, repairs, and/ or renovations. During the inspection, the dam appeared to be in poor operational condition: There was thick overgrowth on the downstream slope, limiting inspection of the downstream embankment. The inlet works were overgrown with vegetation. The principal spillway was cracked and overgrown with vegetation.  EMIT 1 a The emergency spillway was leaking through timbers, and bare reinforcement wire was exposed. Additionally, the spillway was overgrown with aquatic vegetation. The overgrowth on the embankment was of particular concern as the density of the vegetation prevented thorough assessment of slumps, cracks, and depressions. Trees on the slope should be removed as possible overturning could lead to partial to full dam failure and the root intrusions provide pathways for seepage failure. Though deficiencies were identified, a formal engineering review and report was not required. CVSID Dam Permits There are seven ( 7) permitted dams in the CVSID. Six( 6) of the dams are High Hazard and one is a Significant Hazard dam ( see table below). High Hazard dams are classified as having economic damage exceeding$ 500, 000 and likely loss of human life in the event of dam failure. Whereas Significant Hazard are anticipated to have no loss of human life and anticipated damages between $ 100, 000 and $ 500, 000 in the event of dam failure. DAM ARNUM HAZARD AGE OF PERMIT PERMIT MOST RECENT MOST RECENT Emergency DAM ISSUANCE EXPIRATION INSPECTION, Action Plan' Lake Chanute Dam AR00244 High 54 1971 2021 2020 2014 Lake Omaha Dam AR00245 Significant 56 1975 2025 2019 Not Required Lake Navajo Dam AR00247 High 61 1973 2023 2022 2014 Lake Thunderbird Dam AR00250 High 63 1973 2023 2022 2014 Lake Aztec Dam AR00243 High 51 1981 2031 2020 2019 Cherokee Lake Dam AR00248 High 69 1983 2033 2022 2014 Sequoyah Lake Dam AR00249 High 67 1983 2033 2024 2014 1 Date refers to date of document provided to the Department. The owner/ operator may have a more recent document onsite, but it has not been provided to the Department Expired Permits Four of the dams (Chanute, Omaha, Navajo, and Thunderbird) are operating under expired operation permits. Within 60 days of this letter, the Department will schedule a meeting with the CVSID to discuss the renewal process. The operation permit renewal process provides a framework for assessing the condition and operational safety of older dams and equips dam owners and operators with data to make informed decisions with respect to continued investment in their structures. Operation permits are valid for a 50- year period commensurate with the initial date of issuance and in alignment with the industry standard service life for earthen dams. The CVSID Update Page 2 of 4  c,5,- process is a four phased collaborative effort, engaging dam owners and operators, engineers, yri O1 and Department staff. The four phases include: Phase 1 Operation Permit Renewal Application: Dam owners notify the Department that they wish to renew their Operation Permit. Applicants are provided a three- year period to bring their dam in compliance with state dam safety regulations and receive a new operation permit. Phase 2 Operation Assessment: Dam owners retain the services of an engineer to assess current compliance with state regulations and identify deficiencies including existing deficiencies identified by Department. Phase 3 Compliance Certification: An engineer must certify that the dam is in compliance with state regulations and is safe to operate or provide a plan for bringing the dam into compliance. Phase 4 Issuance of New Operation Permit: The Department will review submitted documents and either issue a new Operation Permit or provide guidance for dam owners who must repair or renovate their dams to achieve compliance. This 36- month process provides time for assessment of older structures, technical support and outreach for dam owners and operators, and provisions for awarding renewed permits or decommissioning noncompliant structures. Annual Inspections Annual inspection reports are due for all seven dams. Pursuant to 15 CAR§ 23- 901, at least once per year and after each major storm event, the dam owner must perform a visual inspection of the dam. The inspection results must be summarized on the form supplied by the Department and submitted to the Department within ten ( 10) days of inspection. As discussed at the May 20, 2026, meeting, the Department is looking forward to working with the current CVSID maintenance staff to provide hands- on inspection training and ensure that the inspection schedule is brought up to date. The first training opportunity is June 25th in Jonesboro during the Dam Owner Workshop. Emergency Action Plans With respect to Emergency Action Plans ( EAP), a current EAP is required for all High Hazard dams. Implementation of EAPs must include one tabletop exercise per year and one test drill every three years. Per Department records, updated EAPS are required for the six High Hazard dams at the CVSID. Per our May 20th meeting, the Department will partner with the CVSID this summer to implement updates to the outdated EAPS. CVS/ D Update Page 3 of 4  Next Steps 61// 02.6 This summer, the Department will partner with the CVSID to: Provide annual inspection training; Initiate the operation permit renewal process for Lake Chanute Dam, Lake Omaha Dam, Lake Navajo Dam, and Lake Thunderbird Dam; Provide support for the Emergency Action Plan updates; and Review the findings of the Olsson report for Sequoyah Lake Dam. Further, to ensure clear and consistent communication, the Department will provide copies of all dam- related correspondence to all current CVSID commissioners. The Department looks forward to working with the CVSID to ensure safe and continuing operation of the seven lakes and dams at Cherokee Village. Regards, If2lipo..1111440; ety•toek Whit Montague, PE Engineer Supervisor/ Expert Natural Resources Division Arkansas Department of Agriculture cc: Brent Hunstad, Chairman, brent. hunstad@cvsid. org Susan Jett, Vice Chairperson, susan. jett@cvsid. org Michael Myers, Secretary, michael. myers@cvsid. org Tony Stallsmith, Member at Large, tony.stallsmith@cvsid. org Steven Rorex, Member at large, steven. rorex@cvsid. org Steven R. Rose, Mayor, mayor@cherokeevillage. gov Pamela Rowland, Council Member, pamela. rowland@cherokeevillage. gov Heather Harrison, Council Member, heather. harrison@cherokeevillage. gov Jeff Tatum, Council Member, jeff.tatum@cherokeevillage. gov Rachel Tatum, Council Member, rachel. tatum@cherokeevillage. gov Eddie Ishmael, Council Member, eddie. ishmael@cherokeevillage. gov Steve Thompson, Council Member, steve.thompson@cherokeevillage. gov Jason Lowe, Council Member, jason. lowe@cherokeevillage. gov Peter Martin, Council Member, peter. martin@cherokeevillage. gov Representative Trey Steimel, Trey.Steimel@arkansashouse. org Rachel Smith, Governor' s Office, Rachel. Smith@governor. arkansas. gov Wes Ward, Secretary, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, wes.ward@arkansas. gov CVSID Update Page 4 of 4