Approved study on burning crop residue

Jonesboro, Arkansas – Arkansas legislators are starting to draft a bill to regulate farmers’ field burning practices.

According to state representative Fran Cavenaugh, a study on burning crop residue was approved by a legislative committee.

With the approval, talks with interested parties can start to determine what legislative action could be necessary.

This, according to Representative Cavenaugh, is just the beginning of what may be a drawn-out process.

The investigation was prompted by an October collision in Jackson County on Highway 67.

According to the Arkansas State Police, smoke from a nearby field filled all of the highway’s lanes.

A chain reaction crash happened when sixteen cars got caught in the haze. In the collision, two persons lost their lives and eleven others were hurt.

According to ASP, charges have not yet been brought despite the crash being under investigation.