Brownback Headed Southwest to Sign Two Bills

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Gov. Sam Brownback is traveling to

southwestern Kansas to sign two bills he initiated to prolong the

life of the state’s water resources.

The Republican governor was scheduled to be in Garden City on

Monday to sign two measures that change how water-rights holders

use their water.

One bill would repeal a 1945 law that required use of a certain

amount of water each year under a so-called use-it-or-lose-it

doctrine.

The other bill gives rights holders more flexibility in how they

use their water each year. Brownback says it will allow for more

water usage in dry years, with an eye toward conservation in wet

years.

Both measures were part of the agenda Brownback outlined in

January for the 2012 legislative session.