Formal hearing for Wichita ASR proposals set for March 26

The formal phase of the public hearing on proposed modifications to the permitting of Wichita’s existing Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project will be held on March 26, 2019, continuing to March 27 if needed. The public hearing will be held at ICM, Inc. 125 N. 1st Street, Suites 2 and 3, Colwich, KS.

While this phase is principally for the former parties, it is open to the public and verbal comments from the public will be accepted at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m on March 26.

Wichita’s proposal, a brief summary, public comments received to date including transcript of the December 11 meeting, and more available on the KDA’s web site at https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/WichitaASR

Tags: ASR, GMD2, StaffordFO, Wichita, Equus Beds …

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Court of Appeals rules on Garetson impairment case

On January 11, the Court of Appeals issued its ruling regarding the Haskell County groundwater impairment case of Garetson Brothers vs. American Warrior Inc. The decision is posted on KDA’s web site at: https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/dwr/water-appropriation/impairment-complaints/vested-right-haskell-03, along with a previous Court of Appeals’ decision, the District Court’s decision, and Chief Engineer reports on the matter.

This decision upholds the permanent injunction issued by the Haskell County District Court against pumping by the nearby junior water rights found to be impairing the Garetson Brothers’ senior water right, rejecting the defendant’s procedural challenges.

tags: legal, impairment, GMD3, GardenCityFO…

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GMD 5 proposed update to management program approved

On Jan 2, 2019, the Chief Engineer found the Big Bend Groundwater Management District (GMD) No. 5’s proposed update to its management plan to be consistent with state law and policy and thus approved it. The next step required in the GMD Act is a public hearing held by the GMD board on the proposed update. It is expected the GMD Board will consider the matter of setting the hearing date and location at next week’s regular board meeting (see gmd5.org for specifics on their meetings).

The Chief Engineer’s transmittal letter with his approval makes several suggestions for the Board to consider in its next update to the Management Program. The letter and proposed management plan update is at: https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/gmds.

Note: the Management Program should not be confused with GMD 5’s LEMA proposal to address the Quivira impairment. See https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/GMD5LEMA for these matters.

Tags: GMD, GMD5, StaffordFO…

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