INTRODUCTION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District (USACE-NWK), along with the Kansas Water Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, has prepared the Draft Report for the Kansas River Reservoirs Flood and Sediment Study (Watershed Study). The Draft Report and supporting information are provided with issuance of this Public Notice on 6 November 2023 to initiate the 30-day public review and comment period. The comment period was extended on 17 November 2023 to close on 15 December 2024. This Public Notice and project related information are being provided to solicit public input on the Draft Report and the proposed recommendations. All comments will be accepted and made part of the public record. The USACE-NWK will consider all pertinent comments in preparing final documentation for completion of the Watershed Study through signature of the Final Report by the USACE Northwestern Division Commander.
CONTACT INFORMATION: The Draft documents for this project are available for review online at the following web page: Documents (army.mil). Project information may also be obtained by contacting Ms. Laura Totten, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, ATTN: Plan Formulation Section, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, by email at laura.a.totten@usace.army.mil, or by telephone at (816) 389-2137. All comments to this public notice should be directed to the above address on or before 8 December 2023. Submit comments by attending a meeting, electronically at KRRFSSWatershedStudy@usace.army.mil, or by mail to the address below: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District ATT: Plan Formulation Section, Laura Totten 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106
PROJECT LOCATION: (As shown on the attached map.) The geographic area covered in the Draft Report is the Kansas River Watershed that occupies almost the entire northern half of Kansas, as well as parts of Nebraska and Colorado and encompasses more than 60,000 square miles. AUTHORITY: The Watershed Study is authorized by Resolution of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Kansas River and Tributaries, May 23, 2006, and Section 729 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, as amended (33 U.S.C.§2267a).
ACTIVITY: The Watershed Study team investigated water resource issues and opportunities in the Kansas River Basin and are recommending comprehensive, near-term and long-term solutions based on a shared vision for the basin. The study presents current findings and recommendations for future water and related land resource management efforts, including potential future projects and studies in which USACE could partner with the State of Kansas, other Federal agencies, and non-Federal entities. Ultimately, the Watershed Study informs multiple stakeholders and decision makers at all levels of government and provides a strategic roadmap toward future investment decisions within the Kansas River Watershed. Significant need and opportunities exist in the areas of flood risk management, water supply, ecosystem restoration, water quality, sediment management, and recreation. This integrated Watershed Study focuses attention on significant objectives and tradeoffs, accounts for uncertainty, and promotes adaptive management, stakeholder collaboration, and systems analysis for watershed-scale planning and evaluation.