Arkansas Game Wardens Ramping Up to Keep Boaters Safe during America 250 

The coming Independence Day holiday weekend is shaping up to be one of the biggest boating celebrations of the decade. This year, tens of thousands of anglers, waterskiers, kayakers and pleasure boaters will converge on Arkansas water to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’s formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking everyone to enjoy their holiday weekend but to boat responsibly and avoid situations that could ruin the celebration — namely, boating under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

According to Sgt. Sydney Grant, AGFC Boating Law Administrator, Arkansas game wardens will conduct their annual Operation Dry Water campaign July 3-5 to increase safety on Arkansas water and reduce boating accidents that result from boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Operation Dry Water is an annual program where boating enforcement agencies across the country increase water patrols during the Independence Day holiday, the heaviest boating traffic weekend of the year,” Grant said. “We always patrol and keep a watchful eye out for intoxicated boaters, but with the holiday landing on a Saturday and many people receiving the day off on Friday, the extended weekend will likely bring many more people to the water. Add in the celebrations for America’s 250th birthday, and I expect that total to be even larger.”