CHAPTER 225 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 5009 A  Concurrent  Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to address the
conservation and preservation of the High Plains Aquifer.       WHEREAS,  The High Plains Aquifer is the most important water
resource in the eight-state High Plains Region, including Kansas; and

      WHEREAS,  Portions of the water tables of the High Plains Aquifer
in Kansas, particularly in the Ogallala region, have declined dramatically
over the past four decades; and

      WHEREAS,  The projected depletion of the High Plains Aquifer may
require the necessary transition to dryland farming for many areas of
Kansas; and

      WHEREAS,  The State is addressing the groundwater depletion
through conservation programs and new management approaches; and

      WHEREAS,  The federal farm program has a significant impact on
farmers' agricultural practices; and

      WHEREAS,  Some of the farm program costs to the government could
be transferred as incentives to the farmers to convert irrigated land to
dryland and other conservation actions; and

      WHEREAS,  Much of the western Kansas economy is based on irri-
gated agriculture, and assistance is needed to conserve and preserve the
High Plains Aquifer: Now, therefore,

      Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Kansas,
the Senate concurring therein: That the Legislature of the State of Kan-
sas urges the Congress of the United States to appropriate funds through
the federal farm program to assist states to conserve and preserve the
High Plains Aquifer consistent with the recommendation contained in
the Kansas Water Office Committee Report on Federal Actions Neces-
sary for the Conservation and Environmental Preservation of the High
Plains Aquifer dated October 27, 2000; and

      Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of State is directed to send
enrolled copies of this resolution and the Committee Report to the Pres-
ident of the United States, George W. Bush; Senator Richard G. Lugar,
Chairman, United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition
and Forestry, Room 328A, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington,
D.C. 20510-6000; Representative Larry Combest, Chairman, United
States House Committee on Agriculture, 1301 House Office Building,
Washington, D.C. 20515; Senator Robert Smith, Chairman, United States
Senate Committee on Environment, 410 Dirksen Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C. 20515; Representative James Hansen, Chairman,
United States House Committee on Resources, 1324 Longworth House
Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; The United States Secretary
of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman; and each member of the Kansas Con-
gressional Delegation.

 Adopted by the House April 5, 2002.
Adopted by the Senate
March 29, 2002.
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