Ark. Code Ann. § 14-120-307

The Governor and the Secretary of State are authorized, empowered, and directed to make and execute any and all necessary and proper contracts, easements, deeds, or other instruments in writing, giving, granting, and conveying to the board of directors of that district rights-of-way for levees, levee foundations, channel rectifications, floodways, reservoirs, spillways, diversions, drainage canals, or other flood control or drainage works, and easements for flowage and storage rights over, upon, and across any lands owned by the state which are necessary or required for the construction of levees, levee foundations, channel rectifications, floodways, reservoirs, spillways, diversions, drainage canals, or other flood control or drainage works, provided no such conveyance, contract, donation, or grant shall impair any valid outstanding lien against the lands or any vested private right therein.