About Preserve Goshen and Washington County

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High-density septic developments in agricultural areas pose serious threats to the health and sustainability of local watersheds. 

As impervious surfaces replace open land, natural water infiltration is drastically reduced, leading to increased stormwater runoff, erosion, and flooding. This runoff often carries pollutants—such as oils, fertilizers, and pesticides—into nearby waterways, 

degrading water quality and harming aquatic ecosystems. 

 Increased runoff may degrade water quality in local streams and aquifers, threatening the environment and water supply.

NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON NEARBY BODIES OF WATER: 

Water Quality Degradation: 

Increased stormwater runoff from this subdivision’s impervious surfaces (roofs, roads, driveways) carries pollutants such as sediments, fertilizers, pesticides, and oils into local waterways including Richland Creek, the White River, and Beaver Lake.

ADDITIONAL IMPACTS

Eutrophication and Algal Blooms: Nutrient loading from runoff can promote excessive algae growth in these water bodies, reducing oxygen levels and harming aquatic life. This impacts fishing, recreation, and drinking water quality.

Sedimentation and Habitat Disruption: 

Soil erosion from construction and ongoing runoff may increase sediment loads in streams, degrading fish habitats and disrupting ecosystems in Richland Creek and connected waterways.

Flooding and Hydrological Changes: Altered land surfaces increase runoff volume and velocity, which can exacerbate flooding downstream along Richland Creek and the White River, threatening adjacent properties and infrastructure.

The proposed development would increase demand on both the Beaver Water Authority (BWA), the regional wholesale supplier and the City of Fayetteville which distributes that water locally for Goshen and much of Washington County.

Such strain threatens water availability and pressure for existing customers and raises legitimate concerns regarding public safety, fire protection, and service reliability.

Without clear and verifiable evidence that sufficient water supply and infrastructure capacity are available to support this level of development, proceeding with approval would place existing residents and businesses at increased risk of service disruption and future restrictions.

Increased water demand for household use, irrigation, fire protection, and construction activities may exceed available supply, particularly during peak usage periods, drought conditions, or emergency events. 

Insufficient water pressure or volume could compromise fire suppression capabilities, posing a direct threat to public safety and surrounding properties. 

Increased development without adequate infrastructure upgrades could necessitate costly expansion of water treatment and distribution facilities, potentially leading to higher water rates for consumers.

The applicant/developer/property owner must satisfy the City of Fayetteville Waterworks’ requirements to get water service to the proposed development. 

Per the City of Fayetteville, it is not clear that the water system has the capacity for this level of development in this area.

This area currently only has a 6 inch water main south of the proposed development and an existing pump station just south of the proposed development, however the pump station discharges to an existing 2" waterline which is not sufficient to serve this development.

 In an independent report, in order to provide adequate residential and fire flow for the proposed development, the current 6 inch water main along Blue Springs would need to be upsized to a 12-inch main,  approximately 6,500 linear feet.  As well, as installing a new booster pump  to boost pressure and flow to the new  system serving the development.  

The proposed high-density subdivision raises significant concerns regarding water supply adequacy in an area that has experienced multiple water restriction and conservation periods within the last five years. These documented restrictions indicate existing system stress during peak demand and drought conditions.

 Approving an additional high-density development in an area with a recent history of water restrictions risks exacerbating existing shortages and increasing the frequency, duration, or severity of future restrictions for current residents and businesses. 

Individual septic systems in close proximity raises foreseeable public health and groundwater concerns. Planning bodies are legally permitted—and expected—to consider long-term system failure risk and enforcement burdens, not just initial permit feasibility.

Septic systems are designed for low-density use. 

In high-density developments, septic systems are placed close together, reducing  the space for natural filtration.  

This development not only calls for high-density septic systems, but the proposed site plan calls for lots that will have back-to-back septic systems raising concerns regarding septic system performance, groundwater protection, long-term maintenance, and compatibility with the county’s land-use goals.

Failure of one system can impact adjacent properties, not just the individual lot. 

  Soil conditions that pass a perc test for one system may not support many systems in close proximity over time.
 

This increases the likelihood of system failures and sewage surfacing, leading to odor and health hazards.  

  The reliance on septic systems may increase risk of groundwater contamination if soil absorption limits are exceeded.

High-density septic developments can create cumulative impacts that exceed what rural septic standards were designed to handle

 Planning Commission review should focus on minimizing grading, preserving natural slopes where feasible to protect soil stability, surface water quality, and groundwater resources. 

Per Arkansas Pollution Control & Ecology Commission  8 CAR § 23-103 :

"....no real estate developer shall cause any new subdivision to be created or platted, containing in the aggregate 50 or more lots, any part of which subdivision is within 2,640 feet of any lake or stream, and which will not be connected to a public sanitary sewer collection."

 Agricultural areas are not designed to absorb the long-term consequences of dense septic-based development, nor should they be treated as a substitute for areas planned and serviced for growth. 

The proposed layout effectively functions as an urban-density subdivision without urban infrastructure.

  Approval of a high-density, septic-served development based on future or transitional utility improvements poses undue risk. 

 A.C.A. § 14-236-101 - “Arkansas Sewage Disposal Systems Act.”

“Safe and adequate sewage disposal promotes the health and welfare of the citizens of this state by minimizing the exposure of the citizens, farm animals, domestic animals, fish, and wildlife of this state to human excreta and domestic wastes and thus minimizing the disease transmission potential of human excreta and domestic wastes, by minimizing the contamination of drinking water supplies and the hazards to recreational areas of this state, and by minimizing the pollution of other ground and surface waters of this state;”

“In some areas of this state, the soil is not suitable for normal underground sewage disposal, and 

that the improper and unapproved construction or installation of individual septic systems has created conditions throughout the state that are dangerous to the public health of the citizens of Arkansas and has contributed to the devaluation of properties.”

 The existing site topography is described as steep sloped. Onsite  slopes range from 5% to 37 %.

All drainage  will eventually flow north and south thru tributaries to the White River, Beaver lake,  Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and ultimately  to the Arkansas River. 

Flattening natural terrain alters established drainage patterns, often concentrating runoff and increasing peak flows to lower-lying agricultural lands. 

These changes may lead to localized flooding, soil saturation, and long-term maintenance concerns. 

In addition, grading can reduce effective soil depth and permeability in septic leach areas, increasing the likelihood of septic system malfunction and the potential for groundwater contamination from nutrients and pathogens.

This development is proposed without curbs or gutters. 

High-density septic developments can create cumulative impacts that exceed what rural septic standards were designed to handle.

The absence of curbs, gutters, or engineered stormwater systems often leads to poor drainage, erosion, and localized flooding.   

Excess stormwater can saturate septic drain fields, further increasing failure risk, while also accelerating road deterioration and increasing long-term maintenance costs for local governments. 

This proposed subdivision will significantly increase traffic volume not only on Blue Springs Road but also on Highway 45, a major route passing through the City of Goshen. 

During the multi-year construction period, the project will introduce a substantial increase in heavy truck and equipment movements, including dump trucks, concrete trucks, delivery vehicles, and oversized construction equipment. 

Increased traffic on Blue Springs and Highway 45 will cause congestion, longer travel times, and heightened risk of accidents, particularly during peak hours.

The original site plan lists four (4) points of ingress and egress off of Blue Springs Rd. and in the preliminary plat submittal it was stated that, "Due to the limited number of  homes within this development, and the proposed widening of Blue Springs Rd, no adverse traffic  impacts are anticipated."  

WHAT PROPOSED WIDENING OF BLUE SPRINGS RD.??

THERE WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON TRAFFIC & SAFETY!

NARROW ROAD, ZERO SHOULDERS / BUFFERS & DANGEROUS CURVES 

Blue Springs Road is a rural two-lane road with zero shoulders, dangerous curves, and limited visibility / sight lines due to hilly terrain and steep roadway grades, which combined with increased traffic, raises safety risks for drivers and school buses.

These risks are intensified by limited sight distance created by rolling topography and steep roadway grades which restrict driver reaction time and the ability to anticipate turning or slowing vehicles.  

LACK OF GUARDRAILS 

The absence of guardrails on hazardous sections of Blue Springs Road increases the risk of vehicles leaving the roadway, particularly during adverse weather or in high-traffic conditions.

The proposed development will place significant and unsustainable pressure on rural infrastructure and public services, particularly emergency response, police, fire protection, and roadway maintenance, especially in the City of Goshen. 

Increased population and traffic will strain systems that operate with limited staffing, longer response times, and constrained resources, increasing the risk of delayed emergency response and reduced public safety for existing residents. 

Highway 45 through Goshen, already a critical artery for local traffic, may require upgrades or increased maintenance due to heavier use which would likely fall on the City of Goshen and its taxpayers.

As high-density development expands into traditionally rural and agricultural areas, it places significant strain on public and emergency services that were never designed to support dense populations. These services—including fire protection, law enforcement, EMS, and schools—can become overextended, underfunded, and less effective, resulting in reduced safety, slower response times, and increased costs for local governments and taxpayers.

High-density developments in agricultural zones impose severe and often overlooked burdens on critical infrastructure systems. 

Rural roads, originally built for light, low-volume traffic, rapidly deteriorate under increased usage, leading to unsafe conditions and costly repairs. 

Existing water, sewage, and utility networks—typically minimal in farming regions—are ill-equipped to support dense populations, necessitating expensive upgrades that strain limited local budgets.

Local governments often face unexpected and unbudgeted road repair and maintenance costs.

Infrastructure upgrades (e.g., widening roads, adding traffic signals, paving roads) are often pushed through to accommodate development, disrupting farmland and rural character.  

  Infrastructure models and planned upgrades do not equate to proven, existing capacity—particularly for fire-flow reliability and peak demand conditions. 

This development would have significant and lasting negative impacts to the rural character and peaceful environment currently enjoyed by residents.

 Increased construction and long-term traffic on Blue Springs and Highway 45 will reduce safety, increase congestion, and accelerate roadway deterioration. 

Prolonged construction noise, heavy equipment operation, and truck traffic will disrupt the quiet, peaceful environment residents rely on, while permanent increases in noise, activity, and service traffic will introduce urban-level disturbances incompatible with a rural setting. 

As pressure for growth increases, the unchecked expansion of dense residential development into rural areas risks irreversible harm to our agricultural land base, water supply, and environmental integrity. 

These impacts not only undermine the city’s and county's long-term sustainability goals but also threatens the rural character and farming heritage our community depends on.