Hays Post
Gov. Kelly signed a bill today reaffirming the state’s authority over the transfer or appropriation of water.
It explicitly places such authority, except for domestic use, with the chief engineer and the water transfer hearing panel.
House Bill 2433 was sponsored and championed by Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, and included testimony for support from Mason Ruder, Hays mayor, and Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager.
This bill, which will be effective retroactively, will prevent Edwards County from including water transfer regulations in its local codes and acting as its own water authority.
About 10 years ago, Hays and Russell filed an application to change their 32 water rights from irrigation to municipal use at the R9 Ranch in Edwards County. The request was approved by Kansas Department of Agriculture chief engineer Earl Lewis.
Edwards County has fought the water transfer in court for 11 years, costing Hays and Russell millions of dollars.