SE Kansas News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas expressed approval for the Senate's passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA). The legislation is now awaiting the President's signature to become law.

Senator Moran stated, "A robust and healthy water infrastructure is critical to the survival of every community, and I am pleased that this legislation helps meet the needs of communities across Kansas." He highlighted that the bill addresses several key issues in Kansas, including researching the depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer, improving water infrastructure, and mitigating flooding. "From researching the depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer to improving water infrastructure and mitigating flooding, this legislation prioritizes critical Kansas projects and initiatives, and I look forward to the President signing this bill into law."

The WRDA includes provisions such as amending water supply storage contracts between the U.S. and Kansas to make them more affordable for the state. It also allocates resources for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements to prevent contamination from discharges affecting bodies like the Kansas River and Jersey Creek.

Additionally, it enhances the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) by raising project caps in response to inflation, benefiting small towns in Kansas. The act authorizes studies for a flood control project in Coffeyville and provides additional resources for Manhattan Levee Project improvements. It also allows the Army Corps of Engineers to study aspects like water supply, drought resilience, and depletion.