***UPDATE 01/05/2021 — Formal phase to continue

The formal phase hearing to address the City of Wichita's proposed modifications to the City of Wichita's Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project Phase II that began on December 10, 2019, will resume and continue, as necessary, in early February 2021. The City is seeking the approval of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources (DWR), for these modifications.

The hearing is scheduled for the following dates:

• February 3–5, 2021
• February 18–19, 2021

The proceedings will begin each day at 8:30 a.m. and will end each day no later than 4:30 p.m. except on February 5, when they will end at noon.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing will be held partially in person and partially virtually. In-person proceedings will take place at the Kansas Learning Center for Health in Halstead, Kansas, and will be open only to certain formal parties to the proceedings. The in-person hearing location will not be open to the public. The public will be able to view the hearing proceedings virtually, using either Zoom or YouTube.  

To view the hearing via Zoom: obtain the hearing access information by contacting Ronda Hutton at 785-564-6715 or Ronda.Hutton@ks.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing.

To view the hearing via YouTube link: Link will be available here a few days prior to the hearing.

To provide written comments:

• By mail send to: Ronda Hutton, Kansas Department of Agriculture, 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502, attn: Wichita ASR Project Testimony
• By email send to: Ronda.Hutton@ks.gov.

Comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on February 26, 2021. Comments that have already been submitted or presented in these proceedings do not need to be re-submitted.

Background:

• The City of Wichita has the state's only active Aquifer Storage and Recovery project. The project was developed and approved in two phases.
• On March 12, 2018 the City forwarded a detailed proposal for changes to the conditions associated with its existing permits for Phase II of the project. The City also submitted a series of new applications which have subsequently been withdrawn.
• The City's proposal was clarified and modified in minor ways via an initial review process during April and May 2018.
• On June 28, 2018 a public informational meeting regarding the proposed changes was held at the Halstead High School Auditorium.
• Beginning July 19, 2018, a series of pre-hearing conferences were held to set a date, time and location for the formal hearing; to discuss procedures for the hearing; to set any necessary deadlines; and to discuss any other appropriate matters raised. The resulting orders are available below in the table "Hearing officer notices, orders, etc." The filings by the parties are included in the table "Parties' motions, etc."
• Information related to the City's existing ASR permits is available below.
• A public comment hearing on Wichita's proposed modifications to Phase II of its ASR project was held on December 11, 2018 (transcript).
• On March 19, 2019, Chief Engineer Barfield delegated to Constance (Connie) Owen the authority to serve as the presiding officer in this matter and postponed the formal phase of the public hearing previously scheduled for March 26, 2019. Presiding Officer Owen will conduct a hearing among the formal parties and provide written recommendation to the Chief Engineer based on the record after the hearing is complete.
• The formal phase of the public hearing began in Halstead, KS on December 10, 2019 and continued through December 12. The hearing is ongoing and has been continued as explained above.

Orders, Approvals, and Agreements Related to the Existing Project:

Rules and Regulations:
K.A.R. 5-12-1 through K.A.R. 5-12-4

ASR Accounting Reports: