The Honorable Sam Brownback
303 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-0001

Dear Senator Brownback:

Thank you for sponsoring S. 2773, the "High Plains Aquifer Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, Modeling and Monitoring Act." As you know, the Kansas Water Authority endorsed this effort as one component of a comprehensive program to extend and conserve the life of the High Plains aquifer.

The Western States Water Council met in Bismarck, North Dakota on July 26, 2002, and adopted a position on S. 2773. The Kansas Water Office supports the Western States Water Council recommendations to modify the funding in section 3 (b) to be 75% for the state component and 25% for the federal component.

The Kansas Water Office wholeheartedly supports this bill. We also want to reiterate our interest in additional legislation to address voluntary incentive based programs, education assistance and research on improving agricultural production in water short areas. We are ready to assist in whatever manner necessary to proceed on these other components. We will continue to defer to your leadership in deciding the best approach to address the High Plains situation with future legislation.

The Kansas Water Authority has previously adopted the "Mayo Committee" report as the basis for a comprehensive federal-state-local program to extend the life of the High Plains aquifer. The Kansas Water Authority endorsed the effort by the Western States Water Council to craft proposed legislation to implement the "Mayo Committee" report recommendations. Attached is the proposed legislation that contains these recommendations. I believe that this additional legislation, in conjunction with S. 2773, is critical to the comprehensive program necessary for the long-term viability of the High Plains aquifer.

Thank you again for sponsorship of S. 2773 and I look forward to continuing to work with you toward comprehensive management of the High Plains aquifer in Kansas.

Al LeDoux, Director
Kansas Water Office