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Kansas Water Authority to meet April 3 and 4 in ColbyKansas The general ground water declines in northwest Kansas have scientists and economists looking at the potential long-run effects of the rate of water use on the resource and the economy. Progress of the studies to date will be presented during the Kansas Water Authority meeting April 3 and 4 at the Comfort Inn at 2225 S. Range Avenue in Colby, Kansas. The presentation is set for 1 p.m., April 3. On April 3, the Authority will meet as the Committee of the Whole and on April 4 it will meet as the full Authority. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on both days and is scheduled to end by 3:30 p.m., on April 3 and 12:30 p.m. on April 4. A ground water computer model used in the Republican River Compact Settlement between Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado was adapted for specific use in northwest Kansas to better understand the relationship between rates of use and the aquifer's response. Study partners include Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4, the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources, Kansas State University, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Kansas Water Office. The water management scenarios were applied to the six priority aquifer subunits identified by the Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4 Board within the District's boundaries. No change in current rate of pumping, a 30 percent reduction in pumping rate and cessation of all pumping were the management "what ifs" considered. The economic impact varies with how the pumping reduction is achieved. Scenarios considered in achieving the 30 percent reduction are voluntary, incentive-based water right retirement accompanied by either land conservation or dryland farming, or a 30 percent reduction on each well pumping. On April 4, a presentation will be made on how Colorado is proposing to deal with its Republican River Compact compliance. Other issues at the Authority meeting will include a preliminary policy plan for management of surface water, and current water-related legislative issues. The 24-member Kansas Water Authority represents the state's diverse water interests. The Authority advises the Kansas Legislature and Governor on water policy issues. Members of the state's 12 Basin Advisory Committees provide two-way communication between the Authority, the groups they represent and basin residents. A complete agenda will be posted to the Kansas Water Office website www.kwo.org or you may request one by calling 888-KAN-WATER (526-9283). For special accommodations at the meeting site, contact the Kansas Water Office. 3/24/08 Date: 3/20/08
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