For Immediate Release:
November 13, 2023
Contact:
Grace Hoge
[email protected]
Governor Kelly Announces $18M Investment in Water Quality, Quantity, and Infrastructure
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the State Finance Council (SFC) approved the transfer of $15.8 million from the State Water Plan Fund to facilitate water projects that address quality and quantity issues and infrastructure needs. This funding is part of Governor Kelly's and the Legislature’s historic investment of an additional $35 million in the State Water Plan Fund through the passage of Senate Substitute for House Bill 2302.
“This funding allows us to start on critical, shovel-ready projects that help our farmers and rural communities drive long-term, sustainable solutions to our water crisis,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the legislature and our community partners to ensure our water resources are available for future generations.”
These funds will support:
- Long-term infrastructure solutions for Rattlesnake Creek Basin and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge that address water rights, increase water availability and supply, and support irrigation technology;
- The construction and rehabilitation of dams with the most pressing need for repair; and
- Water quality initiatives to support infrastructure projects in small towns, contamination remediation, and long-term groundwater quality monitoring.
“The legislature has consistently made our state’s water resources a top priority, as demonstrated by passage of the comprehensive water bill last session," said Senate President Ty Masterson. "These projects are crucial additions that reflect the legislature's work to address Kansas’ water quantity, quality, and infrastructure issues.”
“The fund transfers are vital for the Kansas Department of Agriculture to provide dam safety inspections and deal with the Rattlesnake Creek and Quivira issue,” Representative Jim Minnix, Kansas House District 118 and Chair of the House Committee on Water, said. “KDHE will be able to expand water quality programs. The House Water Committee is dedicated to advancing sound water policy.”
“The transfer approved today and funded by HB 2302 represents an historic investment in water programs and projects throughout Kansas,” Representative Lindsay Vaughn, Kansas House District 22 and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Water, said. “It is incredibly exciting to see the hard work of so many advocates finally come to fruition. Water is crucial to everything we do, and it is so important that we continue to prioritize it for the benefit of all Kansans and for future generations.”
In addition, though not needing SFC approval, the Kansas Water Office is putting an additional $2.2 million towards High Plains Aquifer data collection, feedlot and dairy water reuse and reclamation, technical assistance to help communities access state or federal grants, and Water Plan education and outreach.
“The State Finance Council's approval allows for the expeditious and effective use of new State Water Plan Funds that were passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kelly this year,” Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office, said. “This step demonstrates our state's commitment to implementing the Kansas Water Plan’s recommendations for extending the life of the High Plains Aquifer, protecting our reservoirs, improving water quality, reducing vulnerability to extreme events, and providing water-related education across the state.”
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