Brief ⁽¹⁾

HCR 5009 would urge 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 recommendations contained in the Kansas Water Office Committee Report on Federal Action Necessary for the Conservation and Environmental Preservation of the High Plains Aquifer dated October 27, 2000. Amendments by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources would clarify that not all water tables in the High Plains Aquifer have declined dramatically, would express that there may not be a need to transition the economy of western Kansas, and would add to the list of those receiving a copy of the resolution the chairpersons of the appropriate Congressional committees.

Background

The resolution was introduced at the request of the Kansas Water Authority. At the hearing on the resolution, the Director of the Kansas Water Office, in his role as Secretary of the Authority, explained that the Kansas Water Plan contained a recommendation that the Director of the Kansas Water Office develop recommendations on actions the federal government should take to conserve the High Plains Aquifer. As a result of this request, the Director formed an ad hoc committee which developed the report referenced in the resolution. The Kansas Water Office endorsed the report and recommended that the Governor and the Legislature also support the report.

Also appearing in support of the resolution were spokespersons for the Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District and the Kansas Chapter of the Sierra Club. A spokesperson for the Kansas Corn Growers/Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers appeared in a neutral position on the resolution. This person stated that any legislative action prior to all stakeholders having an opportunity to study and review these new proposals may be premature.

Amendments by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources would clarify that not all water tables in the High Plains Aquifer have declined dramatically, would express that there may not be a need to transition the economy of western Kansas, and would add to the list of those receiving a copy of the resolution the chairpersons of the appropriate Congressional committees.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext.cgi