Jun 9, 2017, 09:04 AM by User Not Found

Starns Appointed to Serve on Kansas Water Authority

Governor Sam Brownback recently appointed Jon Starns of Winona to serve on the Kansas Water Authority (KWA).

Starns is a lifelong farmer/rancher from Logan County who believes water is the foundation of conservation and agriculture economics. He serves on the National Association of Conservation Districts Board and is also an executive board member. For more than 25 years he has served at the local and state level in numerous roles for the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) and was the President in 2006-2007.

“As a society we have taken water quality and quantity for granted for so long we are now greatly impacted by future solutions for Kansas. We are blessed with some of the richest quality water in the world. It is our duty to make sure it stays that way for generations to come,” Starns said. “The depletion of the aquifer is affecting rivers, lakes, streams and the economics of our state. I feel service is important and am pleased to serve on the KWA representing the KACD to help develop a common sense, economical, and achievable plan to address our state’s water issues, now and in the future.”

The KWA is responsible for advising the Governor, Legislature and Director of the Kansas Water Office on water policy issues. They also ensure that water policies and programs address the needs of all Kansans as well as serve as advisors of the Kansas Water Vision and Kansas Water Plan. The KWA was established in 1981 and consists of 13 voting members who are appointed by the Governor or Legislative leadership. State agency directors serve as ex-officio members.

The next meeting will be held in Oakley, Kan., on May 18-19. KWA meetings are held throughout the year and for additional information and other upcoming meetings, visit www.kwo.org.

Note to Editor: The Americans with Disabilities Act, (42 U.S.C. 12101), requires the Kansas Water Office to print the reasonable accommodations messages.

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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.