News: "Hogs, residents compete for Kansas county’s water supply" (Kansas City: fit in)

[GraniteStater]

Hogs, residents compete for Kansas county's water supply | The Salt Lake Tribune

[Mathguy]

If you aren't going to add any commentary, you should probably delete the thread.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

If you aren't going to add any commentary, you should probably delete the thread.

Well, since you asked I will say that the company will take its profits and water and bolt for another county in a decade or two or less. Yes, the employees will also leave. No, it isn't sustainable and I generally disagree of going to such extreme measures to add to tax rolls in very low population frontier counties with very minimal resources. I think all areas of the Ogallala Aquifer need to have better monitoring and oversight regarding permitting anything like this in other areas in the future.

[Mathguy]

In theory sure I agree with you.

In reality that means federal oversight and then it turns into big states win and the biggest companies buy the most politicians.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

In theory sure I agree with you.

In reality that means federal oversight and then it turns into big states win and the biggest companies buy the most politicians.

The previous water mining in the area to grow crops unfit in the area like corn is what caused the initial problem in the first place. The situation in the Ogallala Aquifer never should have deteriorated as fast as what occurred, and lax management at the state level regarding allowance for drilling of more wells is to blame. Rural interests bought politicians to maintain the status quo and quick profits for growing lucrative crops that can only be grown in the Corn Belt with no irrigation. The area will be forced to revert permanently to dryland farming and ranching.

[Mattks]

So what are some proposed ideas to fix the problem?

If it takes 6,000 years to replenish the aquifer they better come up with a solution very quickly...

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Mattks

So what are some proposed ideas to fix the problem?

If it takes 6,000 years to replenish the aquifer they better come up with a solution very quickly...

Yes, the solution is next to no irrigation and only dryland farming combined with ranching. This would result in a lower population and a lower tax base, but far more sustainable for the long-term. That will have to be the reality.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Yes, the solution is next to no irrigation and only dryland farming combined with ranching. This would result in a lower population and a lower tax base, but far more sustainable for the long-term. That will have to be the reality.

In other words, it's going to take care of itself.

Looks like a bunch of other states are in on the action and both in total and relative to arable land KS isn't nearly the worst offender.

Should KS not have allowed it while the other states sucked the aquifer dry?

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

In other words, it's going to take care of itself.

Looks like a bunch of other states are in on the action and both in total and relative to arable land KS isn't nearly the worst offender.

Should KS not have allowed it while the other states sucked the aquifer dry?

Western water policies are complex, part of the issue was the long running argument that Colorado was taking more than its allotment of water from the Arkansas River with Kansas getting less. A similar scenario was also occurring with the Republic River. Also, pumping for irrigation (burns natural gas) during drought periods occurs at even greater rates resulting in increased expenses and costs (both externalized and on the communities themselves).


Water policy rises to new level in 2015 Kansas politics | The Kansas City Star