The Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 3 (GMD3) received a $713,602 WaterSMART grant from the Bureau of Reclamation, a civilian agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, to develop action plans addressing groundwater concerns in at least six priority areas within its boundaries. The project, titled "SMARTPLAN (Prioritize, Learn, Actuate, Navigate)," will provide a framework for local water users to collaboratively form action plans to reduce water use, mitigate the effects of overuse, and restore wildlife ecology, while better positioning the region to handle drought and severe weather events caused by climate change. As part of the project, GMD3 will update its hydrologic model to identify opportunities for less water-intensive crop cultivation and conversion of irrigated areas to dryland farming, as well as analyze short-term and long-term costs and benefits. The grant award period is from September 17, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
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