KWA Strategic Implementation Planning
On January 24, 2024, Governor Laura Kelly charged the Kansas Water Authority (KWA) to develop a strategic implementation plan, including funding, based on the five guiding principles of the Kansas Water Plan. Governor Kelly’s request included initial recommendations for a large-scale, long-term investment framework before the 2025 Legislative Session. These recommendations should include policy changes, ways to improve state capacity and water management, measurable goals and timelines, and include input from various state and local stakeholders.
The Kansas Water Office has received public comments on Strategic Implementation Planning by email. The compiled comments can be found in the documents below.
The second round of Local Consult meetings have concluded. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the Kansas Water Plan! Through facilitated group discussions, we received input on:
- Updated investment scenarios based on feedback we heard in round one.
- What criteria are most important as we evaluate investment strategies to achieve the Plan’s long-term goals around aquifers, reservoirs and water quality;
- Setting objectives and identifying what Kansans think are reasonable actions to achieve them; and
- Preferred revenue sources to meet the objectives.
Meetings were held across the state between September 17 and September 30. Thank you to all who attended!
Documents:
In support of the input from various state and local stakeholders for the strategic implementation planning efforts, the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Kansas Department of Health and Environment hosted 6 public input meetings this June. Meetings took place in Colby, Dodge City, Wichita, Salina, Chanute and Lawrence. Thank you to everyone who attended, your input is invaluable and vital to this process.
Document utilized during these meetings can be found below.
- Summer Local Consult Meetings Presentation
- Program Feedback Form
- Investment Scenarios
- Southwest Water Regional Profile - FINAL
- Southeast Water Regional Profile - FINAL
- South Central Water Regional Profile - FINAL
- Northwest Water Regional Profile - FINAL
- Northeast Water Regional Profile - FINAL
- North Central Water Regional Profile - FINAL
- April 3, 2024: The KWA hosted a webinar that provided an overview of the strategic implementation planning process. The webinar was recorded and can be found here.
- April 17, 2024: The KWA began the strategic implementation planning process. The presentation from this meeting and draft goals created by the KWA can be found below.
- Documents:
April 17 Meeting
Draft Goals
- June 11, 2024: The KWA received a preview of and provided feedback on Round 1 Local Consult meetings. The meeting presentation can be found here.
- August 21, 2024: The KWA reviewed input received at Round 1 Local Consult meetings and other stakeholder meetings. The meeting presentation can be found here.
- September 11, 2024: The KWA received a preview of and provided feedback on Round 2 Local Consult meetings. The webinar was recorded and can be found here. Materials reviewed and discussed with the KWA can be found here.
- October 14, 2024: The KWA reviewed input received at Round 2 Local Consult meetings. The meeting presentation can be found here. Round 2 Local Consult summaries can be found here.
- November 12, 2024: The KWA reviewed a draft recommendations and outcomes document. The meeting presentation can be found here. The draft recommendation and outcomes document can be found here.
Local Consult Round 2 Input
The fourteen Regional Advisory Committees met from September 24 to October 4, 2024. The main agenda item for each Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) was to discuss and provide input following the Kansas Water Authority Strategic Implementation Planning phase two local consult meetings.
Every RAC was asked to provide input on the questions and topics utilized during phase two local consult meetings. These discussions focused on the following four agenda topics:
• Discussion on criteria to prioritize programs and projects.
• Provide feedback on the new investment scenarios.
• Consider and identify potential revenue sources to fund the investment scenarios.
• Any other RAC feedback for the Strategic Implementation Team or the Kansas Water Authority.
Due to the number of RAC members in attendance for the virtual RAC meetings, each individual RAC member was provided the opportunity to submit individual input to the same four topics.
Local Consult Round 1 Input
The fourteen Regional Advisory Committees met from July 18 to August 6, 2024. The main agenda item for each Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) was to discuss and provide input following the Kansas Water Authority Strategic Implementation Planning phase one local consult meetings. The format to which each RAC decided to provide their official Strategic Implementation Planning input was on a RAC by RAC basis. Some RACs utilized the opportunity to craft a condensed message while some decided to send their answers to the questions as feedback. The RACs were made aware that any format carries equal weight. The compiled input was presented to the Kansas Water Authority at their August meeting.
RAC Input
Local Consult Round 1 Northwest Summary
Local Consult Round 1 North Central Summary
Local Consult Round 1 Northeast Summary
Local Consult Round 1 South Central Summary
Local Consult Round 1 Southeast Summary
Local Consult Round 1 Southwest Summary
The Kansas Department of Agriculture, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas Water Office invited Kansas farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural stakeholders to participate in a special webinar regarding the state’s efforts to develop an implementation program for the Kansas Water Plan. Because state budgets must be completed during the same timeframe that our agricultural producers are engaged in harvest, irrigation, and planting, we provided this additional opportunity for ag stakeholders and producers to learn more about the program development process and provide feedback regarding state investments for our most important water issues. You can view the webinar here.