This week marked a 100-meeting milestone for the Governor’s Vision Team for the Future of Water in Kansas. The team has been canvassing the state since October when Gov. Sam Brownback issued the call to action for the development a 50-Year Vision for Kansas Water.  The Team has met with more than 4,500 Kansas citizens and stakeholders and has more listening sessions planned.

“The Vision Team has worked hard to accommodate every request from organizations and individuals to come and present the Governor’s Call to Action,” said Kansas Water Office Director Tracy Streeter. “Many of the events have been in direct response to requests from organizations and communities seeking the opportunity to provide input and discuss their water priorities which is very encouraging to the Team.”

At the Governor’s Water Conference in October, Gov. Sam Brownback issued a call to action for a Vision that ensures Kansas water priorities are met to meet the state’s current and future needs. The Governor’s Vision Team for the Future of Water in Kansas consists of the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture and Kansas Water Authority, working in concert with the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors and sister agencies such as Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism.

“The input, ideas and feedback gained during the stakeholder outreach process to date has been tremendous,” said Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey. “So far the thoughts for ensuring a reliable future water supply for the state can be characterized in general as policies, tools and incentives that promote water conservation and improved water management as well as finding access to additional water supplies and water efficient crop varieties and technology.” 

The stakeholder and citizen input that has been heard to this point will form the foundation of the draft Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas. Following the Kansas Water Authority approval of the first draft in May, the Vision Team will host many public meetings throughout the state to share the preliminary document and seek more input and guidance before the final document is submitted to the Governor’s office in November.

For more information about the Governor’s Call to Action for a 50-Year Vision and a list of upcoming meetings input, visit www.kwo.org.