News
October 14, 2022 - The Chief Engineer issued a Order of Decision and Designation approving the GMD4 Management Plan for the Sheridan 6 Local Enhanced Management Area (LEMA). The Sheridan 6 LEMA will remain in place for another five years, from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2027.
The Chief Engineer has scheduled a public hearing to determine whether the LEMA should be renewed as proposed. The hearing will be held at 2:00 p.m. on July 26, 2022, at the Sheridan County Courthouse (925 9th Street, Hoxie, Kansas). Further details can be found in the Notice of Hearing and the Pre-Hearing Order.
October 20, 2021 - GMD4 submitted a Request for Renewal of the Sheridan 6 LEMA for 2023-2027 to the Chief Engineer.
Additional related documents and supporting materials may be found in the Sheridan 6 LEMA Supporting Materials table below.
Sheridan 6 LEMA Supporting Materials:
| Description |
Document File |
File Size |
Document Date |
Provided by |
| SD-6 Advisory Committee Meeting Report and Handouts |
Advisory Committee Report |
6 MB |
03/28/2019 |
Advisory Committee |
| Environmental Research Letter on Quantifying Irrigation Adaption Strategies in Response to Stakeholder-driven Groundwater Management in the US High Plains Aquifer |
Environmental Research Letter |
1 MB |
01/14/2019 |
MSU |
| Dr. Bill Golden's Report on Monitoring the Impacts of the SD6 LEMA |
LEMA Monitoring Report |
439 KB |
11/15/2018 |
Golden |
| Effects of Collective Action Water Poly on Kansas Farmers' Irrigation Decisions: The Case of the SD6 LEMA |
ACCC Fact Sheet |
331 KB |
01/25/2016 |
KSU |
2023-2027 SD6 LEMA Documents:
Written Testimony for 2023-2027 SD6 LEMA Hearings:
| Description |
File Size |
Document Date |
Provided by |
GMD No. 4
|
22 MB
|
07/26/2022
|
GMD4
|
Kelly Stewart
|
688 KB |
07/22/2022 |
DWR |
2018-2022 SD6 LEMA Documents:
2013-2017 SD6 LEMA Documents:
Initiated:
- July 12, 2012 - The Sheridan 6 LEMA proposal and Management Plan was approved by the GMD4 Board of Directors.
- July 16, 2012 Sheridan 6 LEMA Proposal transmitted to DWR. The proposal includes legal descriptions of sections to be included in the LEMA, sets a goal for limiting water use, and specifies proposed management actions to achieve the goal. See link in Documents section below.
Reasons for Recommendation:
- To reduce the rate of groundwater decline and extend the life of the aquifer.
- The rate of withdrawal of groundwater in the area appears to exceed the recharge rate.
Public Hearings:
- September 13, 2012 - The initial public hearing for the proposed Sheridan 6 LEMA was held at the Sheridan County Courthouse (925 9th Street, Hoxie, Kansas). The purpose of the initial hearing was to consider whether GMD4's LEMA proposal met the initial requirements for consideration.
- November 28, 2012 - The second public hearing required to establish a LEMA was held at the Sheridan County Courthouse in Hoxie, Kansas. The purpose of the second hearing was to consider whether GMD4's recommended corrective control provisions for the proposed Sheridan 6 LEMA ought to be revised or accepted as submitted.
Orders:
- October 4, 2012 - Following the initial public hearing, the Chief Engineer issued his Initial Order finding that the proposed Sheridan 6 LEMA met the initial requirements for consideration.
- December 31, 2012 - The Chief Engineer issued his Order of Decision accepting the Management Plan for the Sheridan 6 LEMA.
- April 17, 2013 - The Chief Engineer issued his Order of Designation setting forth the complete terms for the Sheridan 6 LEMA.
Links
Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4 (GMD4)
GMD4 Sheridan 6 High Priority Area
K.S.A. 82a-1041 (LEMA Statutory Provisions)
Contact Information