Stricter Water Pumping Penalties Urged
(AP) - A state lawmaker says it may be time for Kansas to consider stricter penalties for irrigators who pump beyond their allotted amount of water.
Rep. Joe Seiwert told the Special Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources he's received several letters from irrigators who are trying to follow state water conservation rules and are angry about neighbors who flout those rules.
Seiwert says it may be time for tougher enforcement and higher penalties, similar to efforts decades ago to make drunken driving a more serious crime.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1bK6W6o ) that Rep. Sharon Schwartz urges caution, saying not everyone who over pumps does it intentionally.
Jackie McClaskey, acting secretary of the state Department of Agriculture, says the department is looking into new penalties for water conservation violations.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Wanted felon arrested in Hiawatha
Holton woman killed in Jackson Co car-deer accident
St. Joseph teacher arrested for student sex crimes
Revised flood predictions along the MO River
Valuation change notices coming soon for Nebraska residents
Lancaster shooting, threats, land man in jail
Ozawkie man facing multiple child sex charges
Case dismissed in charity fraud allegations
Public health advisory issued for local lake
Sabetha man arrested on drug charges
Three injured in Thursday Jeff Co collision
Atchison Police probe car wash thefts
4th candidate files for local KS House seat
KHP pursuit ends in Jackson Co
Jeff Co North USD 339 bond issue defeated
Atchison Co's Laurie seeks another term as Sheriff
Atchison's Amelia fireworks voted 3rd in nation
USD 415 board holds special meeting
LATEST STORIES
One injured in Jeff Co collision
Holton woman killed in Jackson Co car-deer accident
Atchison Co vets to honor comrades Monday
Richardson County Board receives organization updates
Only minor flooding continues along Missouri River
Three injured in Thursday Jeff Co collision
Atchison Police probe car wash thefts