Kansas Governor and AG issue letter opposing Nebraska water plan

On Friday Governor Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach issued a bipartisan letter to Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen expressing their objection to Nebraska’s proposed Platte-Republican interbasin transfer.

The transfer, currently under consideration by Nebraska’s Department of Natural Resources, would allow invasive carp species to enter Harlan County Reservoir in Nebraska and Lovewell and Milford Reservoirs in Kansas. These fish have been known to cause devastating economic and ecological consequences to river basins around the country, harming native species, sport fishing, commercial fishing, and recreational boating wherever they are introduced.

“As an avid fisherman, I’m one of thousands of Kansans who enjoy our first-class lakes and waterways for fishing,” Attorney General Kris Kobach said. “I will use every tool available to keep these invasive species from harming Kansas waters.”

Kansas previously shared these concerns when Nebraska first considered an identical transfer application in 2018. Since then, recent data shows that invasive populations have expanded to just yards from the site of the proposed interbasin transfer.

“The proposed Platte-Republican interbasin transfer would severely damage Kansas’ finest fishing and boating destinations,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Places like Milford Lake are enjoyed by thousands of Kansas and Nebraskans alike. We cannot stand idly by while our state’s critical natural assets are put at risk.”

According to Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Acting Secretary Christopher Kennedy, the invasive species can decimate local fish populations and pose safety hazards for recreationalists in impacted rivers and lakes. “Efforts in other states to eliminate these carp populations once they’ve established are costly and largely unsuccessful, making prevention critical wherever possible,” said Kennedy.