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GMD 4 Delays Enhanced Groundwater Management
Ag News - Ag Briefs
Wednesday, 08 June 2011 16:46
Source: DWR

DWR has been working with Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4 toward implementation of enhanced management in an area of high declines.  This initiative experienced a substantial setback in recent weeks when stakeholders in Sheridan County 6 (SD-6) high priority area decided to ask the board to not incorporate their previously recommended enhanced management plan into the GMD 4 management program.  On June 1 the board accepted their request and approved re-adoption of the current management program for another year – without the SD-6 proposed enhanced management section.

“Stakeholders indicated the intent of their request was to provide time to explore other methods of achieving more local control over an expected intensive groundwater use control area (IGUCA) process that they believe is necessary to implement the enhanced management plan,” said Wayne Bossert, manager of GMD 4.  “They decided not to move forward with the current IGUCA process until other possible approaches are explored and exhausted.”

Below: A map of GMD 4 delineating six high priority areas experiencing rapid declines in groundwater levels, including Sheridan County 6 (labeled SD-6).  Image courtesy of GMD 4. Map of GMD 4 delineating six high priority areas experiencing rapid declines in groundwater levels, including Sheridan County 6 (labeled SD-6).“This is an unexpected turn of events,” said Scott Ross, water commissioner in DWR’s Stockton field office.  “A number of water right owners in SD-6 were in favor of a shared reduction in water use to prolong their dwindling water supply and possibly avoid impairment claims that could lead to curtailment of junior water rights.”
 

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