Committee declines to add $1.5 million for reservoir sediment-management initiative

The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources committee debated and ultimately rejected a proposal to add $1,500,000 to a new reservoir sediment-management initiative, a measure intended to broaden support for projects such as the John Redmond Reservoir.

Senator Francisco urged colleagues to add “1,500,000.0 for reservoir sediment management initiatives,” saying the change would allow the state to pursue multistate approaches and not limit funds to a single reservoir project. She said earlier testimony from the Kansas Water Office had clarified carryforwards and how some lapsed funds could be used this fiscal year.

Mister Drury, representing agency staff, told the committee the agency can transfer lines of appropriation and use state water plan funds across water agencies, but such transfers require approval by the director of the budget. He also confirmed the MOU line involves the Army Corps of Engineers and pointed to the John Redmond Reservoir as an example of a Corps partnership previously discussed by the agency.

Several members cautioned against creating a general reservoir fund. Senator Shane said he preferred keeping requests project-based: “I’d much prefer for this and then moving forward, if we come forward and there are project requests tied to specific reservoirs that we look at them independently as opposed to creating a general just kind of fund to draw for those efforts.” Other senators suggested using a proviso or renaming an existing line so the Water Office would have limited flexibility if a Corps agreement did not materialize.

Committee discussion also clarified that $1.5 million allocated in an earlier budget year for John Redmond remains unspent because a project agreement with the Corps has not been finalized; speakers said that money still exists as a seed but has not been obligated. Senator Francisco proposed adding another $1.5 million to create a broader reservoir sedimentation line, which some members said would result in a $3 million target if combined with the prior allocation.

Because one or more members objected to the recommendation, the committee voted by raised hands on whether to include the $1.5 million addition in its recommendation. The motion failed and the additional $1.5 million was not included in the committee recommendation.

The chair instructed Mr. Drury to review the committee’s adjustments with the Kansas Water Office to ensure the committee’s intent was clear. The committee agreed to report its recommendations to the Ways and Means Committee next Tuesday and adjourned.

Votes at a glance: Motion to add $1,500,000 for a reservoir sedimentation initiative — moved by Senator Francisco; outcome: motion opposed in committee and not included in the recommendation (vote by raised hands; individual tallies not specified).