Round two of Local Consult Meetings Announced

On January 24, 2024, Governor Laura Kelly charged the Kansas Water Authority (KWA) to develop a strategic implementation plan, including funding, based on the five guiding principles of the Kansas Water Plan. Governor Kelly’s request included initial recommendations for a large-scale, long-term investment framework before the 2025 Legislative Session. These recommendations should include policy changes, ways to improve state capacity and water management, measurable goals and timelines, and include input from various state and local stakeholders.

Kansas residents are encouraged to participate in the second round of Local Consult meetings to discuss the implementation of the Kansas Water Plan. 

Through facilitated group discussions, your input can be shared on the following:

• Updated investment scenarios based on feedback heard in round one.
• What criteria are most important as we evaluate investment strategies to achieve the Plan’s long-term goals around aquifers, reservoirs and water quality.
• Setting objectives and identifying what Kansans think are reasonable actions to achieve them; and
• Preferred revenue sources to meet the objectives.

These meeting are the perfect opportunity to remind the public, elected officials and the Kansas Water Authority of the huge role conservation districts play in the implementation of the Kansas Water Plan.  Funding administered through your local conservation district  is appropriated from the Kansas Water fund.  The outcomes of these local consult meetings will have a direct impact on your local conservation disticts.  Remember most of the conservation disticts have been in place since the late 1930's, and early 1940's so they have a proven record of successful and quality conservation delivery. 

• Conservation districts are in place to administer any education efforts and implement conservation initiaties to improve all of the categories set for discussion by the KWA during this planning process; aquifers, reservoirs, water quality; and education/outreach.
• Kansas conservation districts have a successful technical partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide technical assistance to farmers and ranchers in their communities. 
• Conservation districts also have a sound financial management system in place through KDA-Division of Conservation to administer any education efforts and practice incentive/cost share payments directed at addressing priority resource concerns down to HUC 12 hydrologic areas.
• Most importantly conservation districts have a presence in every county of the state. Districts know the residents in their county and have their trust.

Consider attending one of the eight meetings being held across the state between September 17 and September 30 and speek to the value of your conseration district.  Attend the meeting that works best for you! Learn more and find meeting locations on the KWO Website.