House Passes Moran Legislation to Enhance Kansas Water Resources

Press Release

House Passes Moran Legislation to Enhance Kansas Water Resources

Congressman Jerry Moran today announced House passage of legislation he introduced earlier this year with Congressman Adrian Smith (NE) to study water use in the Republican River Basin. The Lower Republican River Basin Study Act authorizes a federal study to determine solutions to increase water supply reliability, storage and management efficiency between Harlan County Lake in Nebraska and Milford Lake in Kansas.

"Water is the single most important resource we have in Kansas," Moran said. "This legislation is of value to residents in Kansas and in Nebraska because it will ensure the availability of water resources in both states. The study authorized by this legislation will determine ways to enhance water flow and support the more efficient use of water resources along the Republican River Basin."

Last year, Moran and former Congressman Tom Osborne (NE) worked to gain House approval of this same piece of legislation. Although approved by the House, the Lower Republican River Basin Study Act was not considered by the Senate before the 109th Congress adjourned. Moran is hopeful the Senate will act quickly this session to move the legislation one step closer to becoming law.

"This study is essential to the future management of Republican River water in Nebraska and Kansas," said David Pope, chief engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture's division of water resources. "It will allow us to implement a provision of the settlement terms reached by Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska over the waters of the Republican River."

The bill now awaits approval by the Senate.

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