Commissioners hear alarming groundwater projections; consider changing lot‑size rules

At workshop WS‑2 the court discussed long‑term water availability and land‑use options after a staff presentation summarizing Prairie Lands and groundwater district data. The presenter summarized maps and projections that show significant declines in local aquifer availability: the slide deck noted Johnson County could see available drawdown fall sharply (presenter said a 50% level in roughly five years for one local subunit and projections below 20% by 2080). Staff urged policy decisions be science‑based and suggested the court consider larger minimum lot sizes for new domestic wells or seek more surface‑water alternatives.