In a concerted effort to balance environmental and economic interests in Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly and Senator Jerry Moran have expressed optimism over recent developments in the Rattlesnake Creek Basin water dispute. The issue centers on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) securing its senior water rights while minimizing disruptions to the local agricultural economy.
Earlier this year, Gov. Kelly and Sen. Moran urged the USFWS to collaborate with regional irrigators and water users to find a sustainable solution. In September, Gov. Kelly formally reached out to the USFWS, while Sen. Moran followed up with direct calls to agency officials, emphasizing the importance of working closely with the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources (KDA-DWR) and local stakeholders.
By October 2023, the USFWS responded by conditionally pausing its request to secure senior water rights, allowing more time for a collaborative solution to be developed.
“Kansas producers have taken the initiative to implement voluntary conservation practices, significantly reducing streamflow depletion along the Rattlesnake Creek basin,” said Sen. Moran. “This cooperative effort among farmers, ranchers, local stakeholders, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a positive step toward finding solutions that benefit all parties and safeguard our water resources. The groundwork laid today will help ensure that farming and ranching operations continue for future generations.”
Gov. Kelly also took proactive steps by directing state agencies to devise a plan to allocate $7 million from a one-time state water plan fund. This funding, approved by the State Finance Council in November, is intended to support the development and implementation of solutions identified by the working group of stakeholders.
Thanks to these efforts, KDA-DWR and local stakeholders have crafted a plan to restore 3,247.6 acre-feet (AF) of streamflow to the refuge—exceeding their initial goal of 2,800 AF for the first year.
The key strategies for improving streamflow include:
- Regulating targeted minimum desirable streamflow wells;
- Implementing voluntary water right buy-outs;
- Launching a pilot project to pump water directly into the stream from nearby wells;
- Establishing an innovative leasing program that allows water rights holders near the stream to bank a portion of their rights in exchange for temporary payments.
Gov. Kelly highlighted the importance of the Rattlesnake Creek Basin as a crucial water source for the region’s agricultural industry, as well as for migratory and resident wildlife species within the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. She emphasized that these intermediate solutions are paving the way for long-term strategies to improve water flow without compromising the economic viability of the region.
“I have been committed to uniting local stakeholders, agricultural groups, and area farmers and ranchers to address the water rights issue in the Rattlesnake Creek Basin,” said Gov. Kelly. “The significant progress we’ve made is promising. By partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we will continue to work toward a sustainable, long-term solution that ensures the refuge receives the water it needs while protecting the economic interests of local communities.”