The Kansas Water Authority issued a statement recommending that farmers and ranchers in the western part of the state reduce water consumption by as much as 30%. Since 1940, the Ogallala aquifer has lost 30-60% of available water in an area heavily dependent on water and which provides 20% of the nation’s wheat and 18% of the feed for U.S. cattle. The statement has farmers and agriculture groups gearing for a political battle to maintain control of water while some experts contend that control should be handed to the state rather than local districts to avoid over pumping the aquifer, which they say could lead to economic collapse. Narrowly elected Democratic Governor Laura Kelly said she will try to get all parties to come together to find a solution.
