On August 21, Governor Laura Kelly and Senator Jerry Moran announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will not regulate water rights in the Rattlesnake Creek Basin for the year 2025. Both officials had advocated for a sustainable solution that protects USFWS’s key water rights while minimizing economic impacts on local communities.
Historically, the Rattlesnake Creek Basin supports regional agriculture and wildlife in the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. In October 2023, the USFWS agreed to temporarily suspend its application for water rights while the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources and local stakeholders work on a long-term solution.
This decision followed Governor Kelly’s September letter calling for cooperation and Senator Moran’s similar call. Governor Kelly later directed state agencies to use $7 million in one-time funds for stakeholder-proposed solutions, which were approved by the State Finance Council in November. The plan aims to restore 3,247.6 acre-feet of water flow by 2025.
This is achieved by:
- Regulation of targeted wells with the required minimum discharge volume;
- Voluntary purchase of water rights;
- A pilot project in which water from nearby wells is pumped directly into the stream; and
- An innovative leasing program that allows river water rights holders to conserve a portion of their water rights in exchange for a temporary payment.
These actions support long-term solutions by allowing the community to replenish the river when needed while maintaining economic stability in the region. Ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders and proactive management are critical to sustainable success.
