The Kansas Water Office and Director Connie Owen, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Environment, announced that applications are now being accepted for the Kansas Reservoir Protection Initiative (KPRI).

The application period for this initial round of funding will be accepted starting June 1, 2026 through the close of business on July 3, 2026.

This program provides financial assistance to landowners in priority watersheds to implement conservation practices that enhance sediment-reducing efforts above federal reservoirs where water supply storage is impacted by reservoir sedimentation.

This year, the initiative covers Tuttle Creek, Fall River, John Redmond, Hillsdale, Perry, Pomona, Kanopolis, Cheney, Elk City, and Big Hill reservoirs.

Eligible lands include those located in targeted sub-watershed portions of Atchison, Barton, Brown, Butler, Chase, Clay, Coffey, Douglas, Elk, Ellsworth, Franklin, Greenwood, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Kingman, Labette, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Republic, Riley, Russell, Stafford, Washington, and Wabaunsee counties.

Landowners interested in participating can contact their local county conservation district or Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) Coordinator to apply. Many sediment-reducing conservation practices are eligible through this initiative, however, projects focusing on large gully repair and soil health practices such as reduced tillage and cover crops are highly encouraged. It is not guaranteed that adequate funding will be available to provide financial assistance to all eligible applications.

“Funding through the Kansas Reservoir Protection Initiative provides an opportunity for producers above some of our key federal reservoirs to improve the productivity and health of their lands while also providing benefits to downstream water resources,” said Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office. “Focusing on these watershed helps manage the sediment entering Kansas reservoirs.”

Governor Laura Kelly and the 2026 Kansas Legislature supported funding for KPRI to address priority water resource issues and projects recommended by the Kansas Water Authority.

Under the Kansas Reservoir Protection Initiative, the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture – Division of Conservation, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as the participating Regional Advisory Committees collaborate with local Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) projects and local county conservation districts to identify priority projects for funding which yield the greatest sediment reduction per state dollar invested.

For additional information, please visit kwo.ks.gov/projects/kansas-reservoir-protection-initiative.

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As the state’s water office, the KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.

The agency prepares the Kansas Water Plan, a plan for water resources development, management and conservation. KWO in coordination with the Kansas Water Authority also reviews all water laws and makes recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for needed legislation.