[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6609313,"mediaKeyId","2929655-e7f7ebcc1dc4c43a8381505073714f6b","parentId",2929655,"title","County hearing on conditional use for oil and gas drilling near Haysville highlights groundwater concerns","audioSeconds",809,"startMs",2401000,"endMs",3210000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929655-e7f7ebcc1dc4c43a8381505073714f6b&start=2401&end=3210","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929655-e7f7ebcc1dc4c43a8381505073714f6b/thumbnail_2401000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609313/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/County-hearing-on-conditional-use-for-oil-and-gas-drilling-near-Haysville-highlights-groundwater-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609313-9a6976abd904cf49849e48d7d8afb6cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202601&Signature=LbuakLQCzQlxVKlfL~aUl2bWyoVNOyuo-cgDkkY5PRJt4RVGZtncVGEBf-ToIeagDG7zMxVbYLPDQME0hJH5prEWJ3rKnXAmlJqipHVh3fK15wKnRfMoBqhEumMn8A5yB~KE~oCKxRKn69pNQCNVu0Xv6qAOo9isvQmMhYmkApw5MBEGiF7g8fQMISLB9Cj7vF6TD~kFOwVihY1FRi2~ZCgdxJ6i4zjkC3l547G1fbnZOjw-eNq8c0kG65A5jDZCDTyn7OhFRJ0kIXaTNaiuv8sbxig5B5G2IY~QpBCFd-OF5dsS5dgNs1XaQKByxfobDClq2AvcWVoy85gEP-b9QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sedgwick County, KS","date","2025-04-09T16:36:11.943Z","article","A conditional-use request to allow oil and gas drilling on property zoned RR (rural residential) and SF-20 (single-family, 20,000 sq. ft.) near the southwest corner of South Broadway and W 50th Street South drew extended testimony at the April 3 Sedgwick County planning hearing, with local planning bodies split and residents expressing concern about groundwater contamination.

Planning staff described the site as immediately south and east of the Wichita city limits and within Haysville's urban growth area; the property contains multiple historic wells and some plugged wells. Scott Weidl of the county Planning Department said the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC) recommended approval subject to conditions, while the Haysville Planning Commission recommended denial (vote 3-1-1). Because Haysville recommended denial, the transcript shows any county approval would require a supermajority (four of five votes).

At the public hearing, residents raised questions about odors, possible contamination of private water wells and whether current or future drilling might cause subsurface problems. Commissioner Bubaugh relayed concerns from Haysville officials about groundwater contamination and asked staff what would reassure residents. Weidl said state permitting and inspections are designed to prevent contamination and that the Kansas regulatory system oversees well construction and casing.

Attorney Chris Steinkamp, representing Bexar Petroleum (the applicant's agent), argued the area has a long history of oil production, dating to the 1920s and the Gladys Field. \"Oil well drilling started in this area in the twenties,\" Steinkamp said, and he told the board that state regulators require casing to protect freshwater zones. He also said the productive formation is more than 3,000 feet below the surface.

An on-site operator and landowner, who identified himself as Jeff Blood, described past activity on the property, said multiple wells had been drilled and plugged, and provided local tax-payment information for a small well that paid almost $4,000 in 2024, including nearly $1,963 to one school district.

Planning staff noted the case drew limited public comment at the MAPC hearing but did record one resident's opposition and concerns about odors and well contamination at the Haysville hearing. No protests were filed for the county case. Samantha C. Yang, assistant county counselor, and other county attorneys addressed questions about the interplay between county zoning authority and state oversight for oil and gas. County staff said zoning decisions are distinct from the state's technical regulation of drilling and that the board retains land-use authority.

The transcript does not record a final county decision on the conditional-use application. Weidl and staff explained the options if the commission wished to override the Haysville Planning Commission recommendation: an override would require four affirmative votes; alternatively the commission could deny the application or remand it back to the MAPC with instructions.

Members of the commission asked procedural and substantive questions about the site plan, the potential for additional wells, required site screening, and whether environmental health staff should be consulted; staff said KDHE and the Kansas Corporation Commission handle technical compliance but recommended county environmental health could be consulted for local concerns. The record shows the two planning commissions were split: Haysville recommended denial (3-1-1) and MAPC recommended approval (14-0), leaving the county board to weigh competing recommendations and neighborhood concerns.

No final vote on the conditional use is shown in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners Meeting -4/9/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A conditional-use request to allow oil and gas drilling on property at South Broadway and W 50th Street South drew divided recommendations from local planning bodies and sustained public concern about groundwater contamination; no final county decision was recorded in the transcript.","taxTitle","Sedgwick County, Kansas","taxId",2883,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609317,"Sedgwick County approves state testing agreement, commissioners warn of fiscal risks",1270,4790000,6060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2929655-e7f7ebcc1dc4c43a8381505073714f6b&start=4790&end=6060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2929655-e7f7ebcc1dc4c43a8381505073714f6b/thumbnail_4790000.jpg","/articles/6609317/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-approves-state-testing-agreement-commissioners-warn-of-fiscal-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609317-1a0bf5bdb0427e5b178f421d3f26cbca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202601&Signature=EA1-WURzMsMwiI8NimPmePkaAT-KV5cMu07FPRub75Usu5criyzkTtmt6YXMoGx1V7gSlWLU54SNcSJSUjqH0EXUj6hfO1mWk8q5VA6vZE611QBuXB~TtaV0GQkrbMk-LEfZYcbGYcoJdci0JfewjPiJuRNbQ2dlD7NxrIhm9aKGICde06m~jp-imcQhOl~PkDKfL82dzDGv7TT~qvTzTQkhfoNDMmqPQyaGV8LpK38MVTa4UdaeGfrkmJvNkaXB9RlmM7cPzMvFnl~Hb3oDjxY8ZbQHIgFOjiV683JXiDZGpmWr7ilJfgHsebe6pv0EYwQypK8kQLrHrzSDWXsQKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sedgwick County commissioners voted unanimously on April 3 to approve a local funding agreement with the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) tied to a Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) testing proviso intended for environmental and clinical testing related to contamination sites.

The board approved the memorandum of agreement and related subcontracting with KHF after an extended public discussion about the proviso's wording, reporting requirements and the county's potential fiscal liability if KDHE seeks to recoup funds. Commissioners voted Aye: Bubaugh, Wise, Howell, Meitzner and Beatty.

The vote implements a state proviso that earmarks $2.5 million for “environmentally at-risk testing related to contamination sites,” and it layers KHF, the City of Wichita and county funds into an approximately $3 million effort. County staff and legal advisers told the commission the agreement includes quarterly reporting, records-retention requirements of at least five years and a contractual right for the county to seek reimbursement from KHF if KDHE recoups funds.

County Counselor Justin Whitehead told the board the agreement incorporates standard state contract language intended to prevent misuse of funds for political activity and to preserve the county's contractual protections. County Chief Financial Officer Lindsay Perusso said the agreement requires KHF and any subcontractors to provide quarterly budgets and expense reports and that the county can request detailed documentation, even receipts, if needed.

Commissioner David Howe strongly criticized the program's origin and scope, saying the proviso and some early state analyses were unclear and had caused public confusion. “This is a mess,” Howe said during the debate, arguing the proviso was adopted without adequate local consultation and that the county would carry significant reporting and financial risk if KDHE demands repayment. Howe and other commissioners pressed staff for assurances about oversight, how equipment purchases would be sustained and whether funds would be used for testing only. Perusso responded that the state funds explicitly cover testing, not treatment, and that the agreement encourages sustainability plans from any provider receiving equipment.

Commissioners and staff emphasized safeguards in the contract: KDHE retains the right to recoup funds for noncompliance, KHF and subcontractors must submit quarterly reports listing tests performed and budgets, and county counsel and finance staff will monitor spending. Perusso noted the agreement allows the county to seek repayment from KHF if KDHE demands reimbursement.

Board members also discussed community outreach and oversight. Chairman Ryan Beatty said the county will keep close oversight and that a county-led oversight committee including county staff and community partners will monitor implementation. County staff committed to quarterly updates to the commission and said the county will require subcontractor identities within 10 days of execution and will receive regular progress reports on testing volume and related expenditures.

The board approved the agreement as consent agenda item I after the discussion. Commissioners said the decision does not end debates about contamination policy and signaled they will continue to refine local responses to contamination sites and testing needs.","The Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a funding agreement with the Kansas Health Foundation and KDHE-related testing funds for communities affected by groundwater contamination, while commissioners expressed concern about reporting obligations and potential recoupment by the state.","actionData","errors"]

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County hearing on conditional use for oil and gas drilling near Haysville highlights groundwater concerns

Sedgwick County approves state testing agreement, commissioners warn of fiscal risks