News Release > Entergy Arkansas announces hazmat response grant for Lake Catherine and Hamilton

Entergy Arkansas announces hazmat response grant for Lake Catherine and Hamilton

12/17/2024

Positive downstream effects expected on Ouachita River

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Entergy has awarded more than $160,000 to Lake Hamilton Fire & Rescue (LHFR) for an environmental grant that will allow the department to contain and cleanup future hazmat incidents on Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine while mitigating spill over from Remmel Dam into the Ouachita River.

LHFR used the grant to purchase a rescue and response boat, absorbent booms, diving equipment and other hazmat materials and supplies. Some of the materials, most notably the boat, provided the backdrop to today’s announcement event where Entergy Arkansas Senior Plant Manager Braxton Bennett and LHFR Chief Doug Davey both spoke about the grant that is already having an impact on the popular central Arkansas lakes.

“Most of our calls for service on the water require some sort of hazmat mitigation,” said Davey. “Recently, we deployed oil booms and mats to contain and soak up fluids from a front-end loader that rolled into Lake Catherine. Last year, there was large oil sheen on Lake Hamilton that no near-by agency could mitigate due to a lack of resources.  However, through Entergy’s generosity, we are now equipped to handle water cleanups and will be able to help preserve and maintain our beautiful lakes for years to come.”

LHFR, established in 1958, is the sole emergency fireboat response unit stationed on the 7,460-acred Lake Hamilton and the 1,940-acred Lake Catherine. An Entergy Arkansas employee who lives in the LHFR’s response territory and was aware that the department lacked the resources to handle hazmat incidents encouraged Davey to apply for the grant through LHFR’s foundation.

“Not only are Lake Hamilton and Catherine beautiful destinations for tourists, but they are practically in the backyards of many Entergy Arkansas employees. A local employee recognized a need in their community and helped identify a solution,” said Entergy Arkansas CEO and President Laura Landreaux. “By investing in the communities where we live and work, we are investing in the quality of life in Arkansas and in this situation, helping maintain the beauty of some of its destination waterways.

According to census records, more than 2,031 residents live on Lake Hamilton and 320 on Lake Catherine – additionally home to Lake Catherine State Park. An estimated 6-million tourists visit Hot Springs alone every year, with the surrounding lakes being popular destinations.

This grant award is based on the organization’s alignment with the Entergy Charitable Foundation philanthropic focus on sustaining families with environmental stewardship. By providing support through grants like these, Entergy Arkansas seeks to equip the Lake Hamilton Fire Department and other nonprofit partners and service groups with the resources needed to improve the quality of life for those it serves.

Entergy Charitable Foundation grants are provided solely from shareholder profit and not Entergy Arkansas customer dollars. For 24 years in a row, shareholders have supported $44 million in environmental grants. Additionally, he utility also has a robust employee volunteer program and community engagement focus on helping customers with the most critical needs. For more information, visit www.entergy.com/csr/giving.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.