Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) recommends that the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) process be implemented on a local level by a Watershed Stakeholders Committee (WSC). The ultimate goal of the WRAPS process is to create and implement a plan to restore the health of water bodies that do not meet their water quality standards. The WSC would have the responsibility of working with local and state agencies to develop a WRAPS plan. This plan should identify the following: public outreach methods; required monitoring activities based on water quality goals and outcomes; specific water quality problems; watershed coordinator/evaluator; actions to be taken to achieve water quality goals and outcomes; schedule for implementation of needed restoration measures; and funding needs.
The Spring River, Cow Creek and Shawnee Creek in Kansas are the largest tributaries in this watershed. It should be no surprise that 71% of the total miles of water in the watershed are contaminated and do not meet State standards. Are you interested in changing this embarssing statistic? Let me know if you're interested in organizing a WSC. KDHE has already placed the Spring River watershed on their priority list for water restoration. We need to start organizing a WRAPS. Will you join me in getting one started?