Arkansas Code Title 14. Local Government § 14-120-309. Liability--Eminent domain by United States

(1) Shall be, and each is, fully authorized, empowered, and enabled within this state to exercise the rights of eminent domain and to obtain and acquire property and property rights, flowage rights, rights-of-way, and servitudes or easements, or options therefor, in this state, either by voluntary agreements with the owners thereof or by condemnation proceedings under the laws of the United States in pursuance of authority conferred by law; and

(2) Upon the filing of any condemnation proceedings, shall have the right to take immediate possession of the property to the extent of the interest sought to be acquired, and proceed with the construction of levees, levee foundations, channel rectifications, floodways, reservoirs, spillways, diversions, drainage canals, or other flood control or drainage works thereon. However, in the event immediate possession is taken as herein provided, adequate provision shall be made for the payment of just compensation to the party or parties entitled thereto. Furthermore, those condemnation proceedings shall be diligently prosecuted in order that compensation shall be promptly ascertained and paid.