The Department of the Interior has announced a $9 million investment for drought mitigation efforts in Kansas. This funding is part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda and stems from the Inflation Reduction Act, which is recognized as the largest climate investment to date.
Michael Brain, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, revealed this investment at the Kansas Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge, Storage and Recovery Project near Wichita. This project will receive $7 million from the announcement and is a vital water supplier for over 20% of municipal, industrial, and irrigation users in Kansas. Additionally, $2 million will support the Kansas Voluntary Agreements Program through the state's Water Transition Assistance Program targeting either Prairie Dog Creek or Rattlesnake Creek Basins. The announcement was made alongside Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Commissioner Roque Sanchez and Missouri Basin Regional Director Brent Esplin.
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda aims to enhance community resilience against drought and climate change effects. The Inflation Reduction Act allocates $550 million for domestic water supply projects and $4 billion for water conservation efforts in areas like the Colorado River Basin facing long-term drought conditions. So far, 222 drought mitigation projects and 16 domestic water supply projects have been announced by Reclamation, amounting to over $2.5 billion.
“This investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will help Kansas address immediate needs due to drought,” stated Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Brain. “As the state works to slow declining surface and groundwater supplies, these resources will advance efforts to safeguard local water supplies, equipping families and communities for the future.”
The Equus project aims to recharge the Equus Beds Aquifer by supplying up to 100 million gallons per day through injection and infiltration of Little Arkansas River diversions into south-central Kansas's aquifer. Meanwhile, the Kansas Water Right Transition Assistance Program plans to conserve about 10,000 acre-feet by rotating temporary land fallowing or permanently retiring water rights.
This initiative builds on previous investments of nearly $33 million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aimed at addressing aging infrastructure, promoting water recycling, and supporting WaterSMART projects in Kansas.
