From a Kansas Water Office press release: The Kansas Water Authority (KWA) continues to highlight the importance of Kansas reservoirs which serve as a vital source of water supply to the state.  Chairman Gary Harshberger recently appointed a Reservoir Advisory Committee (RAC), comprised of municipal, industrial, agricultural, recreational and financial stakeholders as well as members of the KWA and current water supply program users to assist in this effort. The RAC will be a key component in developing plans for the Authority.

The first meeting of the RAC will be held Wednesday, July 31 at 10 a.m. at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Learning Center, located on the Wolf Creek Generating Station property just north of Burlington, Kan.

“It is vital we work to secure, protect and restore our state reservoir water supply.  Reservoirs provide water in some manner to approximately two-thirds of Kansas’ citizens,” said Kansas Water Authority Chairman Gary Harshberger.  “The stakeholder committee structure worked well with the Ogallala Aquifer Advisory Committee I appointed in 2011and I envision this will also be an effective committee to help work on our state’s reservoir issues.”

The Committee will be tasked with four responsibilities:

• Review current reservoir storage, usage, need for action and current approach
• Identify and recommend funding plan for the dredging of John Redmond Reservoir
• Determine appropriate level of sustained funding and revenue options
• Identify policy, programmatic and operational changes to improve reservoir sustainability

“The persistent drought that continues to affect our state has really heightened issues with Kansas’ water supply, both surface and ground water,” said Kansas Water Office Director, Tracy Streeter.  “An unprecedented level of local, state and federal cooperation is needed to sustain and manage Kansas reservoirs.  Our future may depend on our ability to protect stream systems, decrease demand, recover lost storage and develop new supplies for our state.”

For more information regarding Kansas reservoirs, the committee and meeting, visit www.kwo.org.

Reservoir Advisory Committee (RAC)

• Stan Ahlerich: Winfield, KS
• Mike Armstrong: Lenexa, KS
• John Bailey: El Dorado, KS *
• Gary Beachner, Parsons, KS
• Carl Brewer: Wichita, KS
• Dewayne Burgess: Meriden, KS
• Ed Condon: Leawood, KS
• David Corliss: Lawrence, KS
• Brett Deam: Junction City, KS
• Pat George: Topeka, KS **
• Gary Harshberger: Dodge City, KS *
• Megan Hiebert: Lawrence, KS
• Steve Hieger: Wichita, KS
• Robin Jennison: Topeka, KS **
• Les Lampe: Overland Park, KS
• Paul Ling: Olathe, KS
• Brad Loveless: Lyndon, KS *
• Joe Ludlum: Uniontown, KS
• Karma Mason: Wichita, KS *
• Dave Murfin: Wichita, KS
• Dale Rodman: Topeka, KS **
• Pack St. Clair: Neodesha, KS
• Dennis Schwartz: Tecumseh, KS *
• Tom Toll: Lindsborg, KS

*Kansas Water Authority Member

**Ex-Officio

As the state’s water office, KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.

The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources development, management and conservation. KWO also reviews all water laws and makes recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for needed legislation.