News Release

December 20, 2011

Contact:
Mary Geiger
Communications Director
Kansas Department of Agriculture
(785) 296-2653 phone
Mary.Geiger@kda.ks.gov

Drought Emergency Term Permit filing deadline approaching

The deadline for agricultural producers to file applications for drought term permits is approaching.

Applications for the term permits must be filed on or before Dec. 31, 2011, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources.

The one-time, drought-focused term permit allows holders of existing water rights the flexibility to borrow a portion of next year’s authorized quantity in order to complete their 2011 growing season.  Applications will continue to be accepted through the end of 2011 to allow producers to remain in compliance.

“The term permits are proving to be a valuable tool for Kansas farmers and ranchers trying to mitigate the damage caused by the serve drought,” Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman said. “I’d encourage anyone who has an interest in the program to apply now in order to meet the deadline at the end of the month.”

The term permit allocation is based on the sum of the quantity authorized for 2011 and 2012. Participants agree to deduct their 2011 overage from what they are permitted to pump in 2012 in order to remain aquifer-neutral. While this program was designed principally for irrigation, non-irrigation uses of water can also apply for the permit.

For those who wish to participate in this program, an application for the term permit and a 2011 Emergency Drought Term Permit Supplemental Sheet should be accurately completed and submitted to the Division of Water Resources by Dec. 31. Water right holders who submit an application providing their name, water right number, quantity, rate, filing fee and signature, either directly to the Division of Water Resources or to their local Groundwater Management District, by Dec. 31 will be considered as having met this deadline.

Forms to apply for the emergency term permits are available through the links below.

• Application for Term Permit
• 2011 Emergency Drought Term Permit Supplemental Sheet

An instruction sheet is also available for download.  

DWR and Kansas State University Research and Extension partnered to host four educational meetings on November 15 and 16, for water right holders who had questions about water rights in drought and possible ways to manage next year’s water supply.   The PowerPoint presentation from that meeting is available for download.

To date, DWR has received 1,443 Drought Emergency Term Permit applications. Of these, 1,145 applications have been fully processed by DWR staff.  The map below shows the distribution of those permits.

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