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.
Mission Statement:
Provide Kansans with the framework, policy and tools, developed in concert with stakeholders, to manage, secure and protect a reliable, long term statewide water supply while balancing conservation with economic growth.
Vision Document
Table of Contents (click to view each section):
Call to Action: Purpose & Need for a Long Term Vision
Water Conservation Section
Water Management Section
Technology Crop Varieties Section
Additional Sources Supply Section
Economic Analysis Section
Measuring Success Section
Be the Vision Condition Atlas Section
Education Public Outreach Supplement Section
Regional Goal Action Plans Section
Appendix: Blue Ribbon Funding Task Force Final Report
50 Year Water Vision Video
In
2013, Governor Sam Brownback issued a call to action to develop a 50 year water
vision for the state of Kansas.
In the video to the left, the year is now November 2063. A newscast chronicles what was accomplished a half-century earlier by Kansans in 2016 to make the 50 year vision a reality.
This video highlights multiple state agencies and partners that have contributed to the implementation of the Vision. Key components of the Vision include the Blue Ribbon Task Force, the Kansas Water Authority, and the Regional Advisory Committees and their Regional Goal Action Plans.
Vision Implementation Current Progress
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.
Vision Education and Public Outreach Working Group
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.
Blue Ribbon Funding Task Force
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.