Two western Kansas towns, Hays and Russell, have filed a lawsuit against neighboring Edwards County, accusing them of interfering with their plans to pipe in water to battle drought and contamination. The lawsuit claims that Edwards County is targeting their plan to draw groundwater from the R9 Ranch, which the towns consider of “existential importance”. The lawsuit argues that Edwards County has opposed the project from the beginning, making it difficult for the towns to proceed.
Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty has stated that the regulations imposed by Edwards County are illegal and only further hinder the water project that is crucial for the towns’ survival. Edwards County has not responded to these claims, stating that they are still reviewing the information in the lawsuit.
Hays and Russell rely on the Smoky Hill River and Big Creek for their municipal water supplies, which are often affected by drought. The towns had purchased the R9 Ranch in 1995 as a means to supplement their existing water sources, but Edwards County has taken steps to prevent the completion of the project.
The lawsuit highlights that the 1997 zoning regulations imposed by Edwards County, as well as newer zoning codes added this year, effectively prevent the towns from completing the water project. This has led to a legal battle between the towns and the county, with each side fighting for the control and use of water resources that are vital for the towns’ survival.
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