FEMA Grant Awarded for High Hazard Potential Dams Rehabilitation Program

$409,298 awarded for use on eligible dams in Kansas

The Kansas Water Office (KWO), with assistance from Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) Water Structures Program and the Division of Conservation applied for the FY 2019 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Rehabilitation Grant. The approval was recently announced and Kansas is being awarded $409,298 in grant funds for rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams.

“Many Kansans were able to see firsthand benefits of dams helping to minimize downstream flooding this year across the state,” said Kansas Water Office Director Earl Lewis. “Utilization of resources such as this HHPD Rehabilitation Grant will help to ensure eligible projects will function properly into the future.”

The purpose of the HHPD Grant is to make funds available to eligible dams for technical, planning, design, and pre-construction assistance. Two eligible dams, McPherson County State Lake Dam and Lake Sherwood Dam, were part of this initial Kansas request to FEMA. Both were approved and there are 34 other eligible dams with the option to apply for the grant funds through KWO. In order for a dam to be considered eligible it must be a non-federal dam located in a state with a state dam safety program, classified as high hazard potential by the state dam safety agency, have an approved emergency action plan, and pose an unacceptable risk to the public.

“Overtime, some dams have been reclassified as high hazard structures and are now out of compliance,” and,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “With the award of the HHPD Grant funds, we will have the ability to work with eligible dam owners throughout the state to bring their high hazard classified dams into compliance. Having these dams in compliance will reduce risks to the public, decrease flood potential, and in some cases, protect critical water supplies.”

The official and final grant award notification was received by the KWO on September 19 with three years to utilize funds. The KWO will again work with the KDA Water Structures Program and the Division of Conservation to revise the grant work plan to appropriately distribute the additional funds.

For more information about the grant please contact the Kansas Water Office at 785-296-3185 or email [email protected].

Governor to honor National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day

In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, and in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day on Sunday, October 6, 2019, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on October 6.

“Today, let us begin Fire Prevention Week by honoring all who put their lives on the line every day to protect people, property and communities,” Governor Kelly said. “We also must remember and pay our respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of Kansas.”

The honor is extended for all fallen firefighters – such as veteran firefighter John Randle, 67, who served as a first responder and EMT for the Wamego Fire Department. After returning from a structure fire on January 1, 2018, Randle fell and suffered head injuries. He was airlifted to a hospital, where he later died.

“John Randle made lasting contributions in his community, and we are grateful for his dedication and commitment to helping fellow Kansans,” the governor said.

Governor joins other states in amicus brief supporting DACA

Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, Montana Governor among other supporters

Governor Laura Kelly today joined other states in legal action supporting the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Kelly joined Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, as well as Montana Governor Steve Bullock, in filing an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in support of DACA.

The friend-of-the-court brief, filed in Department of Homeland Security, et al., v. Regents of the University of California, et al., Case No. 18-587, opposes the Trump administration’s attempt to rescind DACA.

In the brief, Governor Kelly argues that rescinding DACA will cost Kansas millions of dollars in tax income and economic growth, while unfairly punishing undocumented Kansans who are contributing to the Kansas economy and enhancing the state’s culture.

“It goes without saying that we need Washington to finally fix our country’s broken immigration system. But here in Kansas, we care about the well-being of all of our children,” Kelly said. “We simply shouldn’t punish children for decisions their parents made years ago. That’s not who we are as Kansans.

“These young people have worked hard, attended our schools and continue to give back as teachers, nurses, police officers, or by serving in the military. They belong here, and we welcome their contributions in our communities and to our economy.”

In Kansas, nearly 6,000 DACA recipients generate $111 million in annual spending power and pay $12.6 million annually in state and local taxes. The Cato Institute conservatively estimates that rescinding DACA will cost the Kansas economy $1.76 billion over the next decade, while the Center for American Progress estimates that the Kansas economy would lose $335 million in annual gross domestic product (GDP).

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case on Nov. 12, 2019. More than 25 governors or state attorneys general are participating in the case in support of DACA