GMD 4 expands LIMAs, rolls out ITI evaluations and asks for continued state funding

Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District 4 briefed the Committee on Water on updated LIMA plans, an expanded monitoring and compliance effort, and the ground-level rollout of the Irrigation Technology Initiative (ITI).

Shannon Kenyon, GMD 4 manager, said updated measurement work from the Kansas Geological Survey showed a district average drawdown but also areas with stabilization; the maps and KGS data drive board decisions about where LIMAs should be expanded or tightened. Kenyon said GMD 4 plans to expand its LIMA footprint and to request Sheridan 6 reduce allocation to roughly 50 inches in a phased approach to improve long-term sustainability.

Kenyon highlighted staffing increases (a new field technician, Trent McCain, and irrigation specialist Jack Polifka) to support a five‑year rotation of well visits and increased field compliance. She said GMD 4 will request five-year multiyear flex accounts for LIMAs to allow producers to manage a five-year allocation rather than an annual cap.

Jack Polifka explained ITI field methods: static water-level measurements, drawdown tests, power and energy-use recording (electric, diesel, natural gas) and comparing results to established pumping standards. Polifka reported 41 testing units completed in the calendar year, about $22,000 billed to producers so far and roughly $80,000 appropriated for producer cost-share. He said many producers have already made improvements and staff are working to complete onboarding paperwork to reimburse costs.

Kenyon asked legislators to maintain funding sources such as 2302 grants and ITI support and stressed that local decision-making and communication with legislators remains critical as LIMAs and related policies are implemented.