By Scout Nelson
A group of farmers in northwest Kansas took a bold step in 2013 to reduce groundwater use by 20 percent to help save the Ogallala Aquifer, a vital water source across the High Plains. They formed a Local Enhanced Management Area (LEMA), a legally binding agreement that limits water pumping but allows flexibility in how water is used.
This decision, once seen as risky, turned out to be a success both economically and environmentally. Research shows these farmers remain profitable, even after reducing their water use. Operational costs dropped due to reduced spending on fuel, seeds, and fertilizers. Although crop yields were slightly smaller, income stayed steady.
Environmentally, the benefits are clear. Compared to farms with no water limits, those in the Sheridan LEMA used 22% less fossil energy and emitted 20% fewer greenhouse gases. Losses of reactive nitrogen, linked to fertilizer use, also decreased.
Water levels in the aquifer tell another success story. Before the LEMA, groundwater declined by as much as 3 feet annually. Now, the average drop is about half a foot, and in some years, the levels even rose.
The LEMA model is spreading. Four other areas have adopted similar programs, and officials continue to study the economic and environmental impact. The program is seen as a possible solution in other parts of the world facing groundwater challenges.
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Categories: Kansas, General