GMD 4 Manager, Ray Luhman, retires after 40 years of service

June 28, 2019

On June 28, 2019, Ray Luhman retired as manager of the Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4. Ray had worked for GMD 4 for 40 years, joining as assistant manager in 1979, and serving as manager since 2015. Ray has been a large part of the service provided by the District to its water users and a strong and effective advocate for the sensible water management of the District.  In his years as manager, Ray led his district through the process of establishing the first, and thus far only, groundwater management district-wide local enhanced management areas (LEMA) in the state.

The success of GMD 4’s two LEMAs was greatly attributed to the water users’ trust in Ray. Visit the GMD 4 LEMA website or go directly to GMD 4‘s website to learn more.

Congratulations and best wishes to Ray.

Photo by Jeff Tuttle/The Journal (Kansas Leadership Center)

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GMD 5 proposed update to management program approved

January 4, 2019

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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