In October 2013, Governor Brownback issued a call to action to his Administration to develop a 50-Year Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas stating, “Water and the Kansas economy are directly linked. Water is a finite resource and without further planning and action we will no longer be able to meet our state’s current needs, let alone growth". Incorporating the Vision Action Items into the Kansas Water Plan will formalize the statutory process recognized in state law.

Click the image on the right to view current progress on the implementation of the Vision. 

This interactive map shows current progress made over the last year across the state of Kansas. Each tab represents a Vision implementation action item. The Kansas Water Office, and partner agencies, continue to implement projects and make great progress in implementing the Vision. 

Current 2017 projects include the addition of new Water Technology Farms, and continued collaboration on Streambank Stabilization Projects and the Kansas River Watershed Study. 

As the Vision Team held public meetings across Kansas, one message heard over and over was more education and outreach was needed regarding water issues. While there are many existing water-related education programs available for both youth and adults, the central message and coordinated educational resource was lacking that connects Kansans to their water source. Many of the Action Items in the Long-Term Vision for the Future of Water Supply in Kansas, as well as some goals developed by Regional Goal Leadership Teams, highlighted the need for additional development of a state-wide water message and “one-stop-shop” for information and learning resources. To meet this goal an inter-agency and inter-organizational coordinating team was formed in 2015. Throughout 2016 the coordinating team hosted a series of outreach meetings to solicit input into the development of statewide education and public outreach materials, and to develop tangible action plans aimed at strengthening Kansans’ knowledge and awareness of water and water-related issues. From these meetings a Vision Education Public Outreach Supplement Section to the Vision was created.

The Long Term Vision for the Future of Water Supply in Kansas, published January, 2015, identified a Blue Ribbon Funding Task Force for Water Resource Management (Task Force) as a critical, immediate action item. The Task Force was charged with developing a balanced, affordable and sustainable method to provide financing for water resource management and protection, including alternatives that utilize public and private partnerships. Keeping in line with the Phase I Action Items, the Task Force was formed in the first year of implementation of the Vision. Members were appointed in November, 2015. Members of the Task Force held seven meetings throughout 2016. The Task Force reviewed information on existing revenue sources and funding demands, researched natural resource funding systems from other states and evaluated future funding demands for water resource priorities. The Task Force prepared a summary report and provided the Blue Ribbon Funding Task Force for Water Resource Management Report to the Governors and 2017 Kansas Legislature.