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 2025. Both officials had pushed for a sustainable solution that protects USFWS’s senior water right 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, USFWS agreed to temporarily pause its request for senior water rights as the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources and local stakeholders work on a long-term resolution.
This decision followed Governor Kelly’s September letter urging 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, approved by the State Finance Council in November. The plan aims to restore 3,247.6 acre-feet of streamflow by 2025.
This will be achieved by:
- Regulating targeted minimum desirable streamflow wells;
- Voluntary water right buy-outs;
- A pilot project to pump water directly into the stream from nearby wells; and
- An innovative leasing program that allows water right holders near the stream to bank a portion of their water rights in exchange for a temporary payment.
These measures will support long-term solutions by enabling the community to replenish the stream when necessary while maintaining economic stability in the region. Ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders and proactive management will be essential for achieving lasting success.
