Conservation and citizen participation in the Cheney Lake watershed
2008
K ansas farmers are pulling together to help a city in need—and they're building better farms at the same time.
Wichita, the largest city in Kansas, has had taste and odor problems in its water supply for more than 10 years. The city's water source is Cheney Lake, a large reservoir that is fed by the North Fork of the Ninnescah River and a 256,348-ha (633,449-ac) watershed. The watershed encompasses five counties, and the land is 99% agricultural.
That's where the farmers come in. A Citizens Management Committee (CMC) made up of watershed farmers and land-owners manages Cheney Lake Watershed Inc., a nonprofit organization. Their goal is to protect the water source for more than 350,000 people. These citizens are actively involved, and their mission is to provide water quality education and funding for cost-effective clean water projects. Members attend meetings with city officials, help manage conservation projects, plan field days and bus tours, and do what they can to better their corner of the environment.
“It's a very forward-thinking group,” says Derek Zongker, farmer and CMC member. “I've always been pleased to be associated with this group of people. Everybody wins in the end.”
Zongker, who came back to the…
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