For Immediate Release:

February 21, 2007 

Topeka – In a joint committee of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Kansas House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, lawmakers learned today what they could do to protect the state’s reservoir systems.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works John Paul Woodley appeared before committee members to talk about the activities of the Army Corps of Engineers in Kansas.

Appropriations Chairman Sharon Schwartz (R-Washington) said the committees appreciated the one on one audience with Secretary Woodley and the opportunity to share with him their concerns.

Schwartz asked Woodley about the Corps’ plans to draw down on the water stored in Tuttle Creek, Lake Perry, and Milford for the Kansas River reservoir system to improve navigation on the Missouri River.

“We cannot forget about the sacrifices made by Kansans 40-50 years ago when these reservoirs were built nor can we ask them to continue surrendering their access to water to support navigation on the Missouri River,” said Chairman Schwartz. “When water is released from the Kansas River reservoir system to help the Missouri River, farmers must stop their irrigation, communities must carefully monitor their water supply, and businesses on the lakes must close their doors until safe levels return. As a state we must do what we can to protect those water supplies.”

Secretary Woodley suggested the state could buy the water storage designated for navigation from the Corps.  He wasn’t sure of the total costs.  Schwartz said she wasn’t sure buying water storage was the best solution.

Appropriations Vice-Chairman Lee Tafanelli (R-Ozawkie) questioned why the Corps relies almost solely on the Kansas River reservoir system for navigation on the Missouri River.

“If the Flood Control Act of 1944 is the reason the Kansas River reservoir system is being drawn down for navigation on the Missouri River, then I would suggest it is time to re-evaluate this law and revise it,” said Rep. Tafanelli.  “Transporting commerce goods no longer relies heavily on our country’s river systems. I ask the federal government to manage our state’s limited water resources in a way that meets contemporary needs.”

Rep. Larry Powell (R-Garden City) questioned Sec. Woodley about what his constituents see as the Corps’ changing policy.           Above: Rep. Larry Powell listens to
             Corps of Engineers activities in Kansas.

“We have been trying to build the Horse Thief Reservoir for some time now and have spent thousands in sale tax and state funding,” explained Rep. Powell.  “And it seems each time our watershed districts submit their plans to get a 404 permit to build the dam, it’s rejected because the Corps has changed some policy.  It’s like a moving target for our watershed districts.  We need to get Horse Thief done for the benefit of western Kansas.”
 

Sec. Woodley assured committee members he understood their concerns and would work to alleviate many of them. 

Chairman Schwartz said decisions made outside of the state’s control have resulted in negative outcomes for Kansans.  She stressed increasing the Appropriations Committee’s involvement with the Corps of Engineers when it comes to making those decisions and planning future use of all of the state’s water resources.

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For Information Contact: 
Rep. Sharon Schwartz 785/296-7637
Rep. Lee Tafanelli 785/296-7639 
Rep. Larry Powell 785/296-7694