South Fork Republican River Basin Projects

Purpose

Implement water conservation projects, water use efficiency upgrades, water management plans by water right holders, and cost-share programs within the South Fork Republican River Basin within Kansas.

History

On August 1, 2018, Colorado and Kansas signed a settlement totaling $4 million to resolve any disputes over Colorado’s past use of water under the Republican River Compact prior to 2013. Of that total sum, $2 million is to be spent within the South Fork of the Republican River Basin within Colorado. The additional $2 million will be spent for the benefit of the South Fork of the Republican River Basin within Kansas.

The 2015 Legislature introduced Senate Bill 112 Section 178, which designates where all moneys recovered by the state of Kansas shall be deposited. The $2 million is credited to the Republican River Water Conservation Projects-Colorado Moneys Fund for water improvement projects in the Republican River Basin.

Timeline

May 2020: Cost-Share applications were approved for eligible producers to implement irrigation technology onto participant’s locations. $259,000 was allocated through these funds for irrigation technology.
October 2020: $500,000 of the original $2 million was transferred to Cheyenne County Conservation District.

Current Updates

Applications for 2023 irrigation technology cost-share opportunities are now being accepted until April 07, 2023 to eligible producers within the South Fork Republican River Basin.

Funding

The $2 million is credited to the Republican River Water Conservation Projects-Colorado Moneys Fund for water improvement projects in the Republican River Basin. In an effort to move forward with allocating a portion of the funds in fiscal year 2020, irrigation technology cost-share opportunities were made available.

Project Manager

Keadron Pearson

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