THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2007
NEWS
3A
》 KANSAS AGRICULTURE
Groundwater decline could jeopardize farms, towns
BY NATHAN GILL
A recent survey of Kansas aquifers, vital to the existence of farms, towns and industries in western and central Kansas, showed a trend of continuing decline last year. In some areas aquifers averaged a drop of more than two feet.
"I'd argue that it's the biggest natural resource issue facing Kansas," Rex Buchanan, associate director of the Kansas Geological Survey, said about declining Kansas groundwater sources. "Kansas depends more on groundwater than on any other state in the country."
The annual survey, performed by the Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture measured the depths of about 1.400 high-volume Kansas wells. Buchanan said major factors that influence water levels were precipitation rates, energy costs associated with pumping water and corn prices.
Brownie Wilson, a Kansas Geological Survey researcher who assisted in the survey, said that most groundwater in
western Kansas was used to irrigate large farms, but that industries and towns depended on aquifers as primary water sources as well.
"They pour you a glass of water in a restaurant, it comes from the ground." Wilson said.
Mark Rude, executive director of Groundwater Management District No. 3 in southwest Kansas, said that 95 percent of the water used in his district went to irrigating crops and that half of Kansas' irrigated crop acres were in his district. He said that a rise in corn prices, fueled by the ethanol boom, has caused farmers to plant more corn, a non-native plant that depends on extensive irrigation to survive in the dry Kansas west. Recent droughts, which force farmers to rely more on aquifers, are also contributing to the decline, Rude said.
"It's going to be pumped, so we're going to see more declines," said Rude, whose district has half a dozen planned or existing ethanol plants.
Sharon Falk, manager of Groundwater Management District No.5 in central Kansas, said aquifers in her district have seen significant
declines since 2000, mostly because of drought. She said the state's main tool for water management was certifications called water rights that dictate the rate, quantity and place groundwater can be used.
Falk said that if farmers or other groundwater users pumped more from their wells than their water right allowed, the state could force them to adopt a conservation plan, fine them up to $1,000 or, if a habitual offender, temporarily shut down their farm.
"We're aggressively addressing that problem more and more every year," Falk said. "It's the life blood of this area."
Kansas groundwater experts at the various management districts and Kansas Groundwater Survey are unsure how long Kansas groundwater would last.
"There's a lot of things in flux here, but one thing that's staying constant is our depletion of water," Rude said.
Edited by Carissa Pedigo
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Droughts and higher corn prices have forced Kansas farmers to rely on aquifers, underground groundwater reserves, to irrigate their crops.
Write-in votes show creativity, opinions of students
STUDENT SENATE ELECTION
If the NBA doesn't work out, Julian Wright may want to consider a career in campus politics.
The junior forward was on students' minds last week for more than his announcement that he would enter the 2007 NBA Draft: They tried to elect him into Student Senate.
When the votes were tallied in last week's Student Senate elections, the results showed that United Students' Hannah Love and Ray Wittlinger had won the president and vice president seats. An opposing party, Delta Force, had taken control of 13 junior/senior seats.
Lurking behind those names, however, was a long list of write-in candidates ranging from the legitimate — students who ran independent of a coalition — to the absurd, including Wright and others like him. It's a common election day theme, and the Student Senate election was no different.
Athletes were among the most popular write-ins, including both professionals and Jayhaws. Wright's four nominations were joined by nods for teammates Mario Chalmers, Russell Robinson, Brandon Rush and former Kansas forward Christian Moody. KU football players past and present also found their way onto ballots. Incoming wide receiver
Xavier Rambo caught a vote, while former players David Ochoa, Banks Floodman and Kevin Kane also received attention. Students voted for Kansas football coach Mark Mangino and Baby Jay, too. Former NBA stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone did receive votes but were not elected.
John Cross, who ran for president with the Delta Force coalition, said ridiculous write-in votes at least brought people to the polls.
"It's too bad they didn't have a chance to educate themselves on what Student Senate does," Cross said. "But I don't think they'd take the time just to write about Chuck Norris and joke about it later."
Cross kept a good sense of humor about write-in ballots.
"It's always fun looking through the write-ins," Cross said. "I personally was pulling for Stephen Colbert, but he didn't get his seat."
Fictional characters did well in the polls, especially those in the puppet demographic. Four members of The Muppets received votes, along with Mickey Mouse, Scooby-Doo and Captain America.
Television personalities Mr. Ed, Grizzly Adams, Paula Abdul, the aforementioned Steven Colbert and Chuck Norris were popular picks.
A number of nominations were derogatory toward Student Senate and the election in general. A few
voters voiced their opinions with write-in votes such as "I won't accomplish anything" and "Campus politics suck."
Some of the most bizarre nominations included Black Republican Robot, Susan B. Anthony, the State of Vermont, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and God.
"I'm not sure why people who voted for Chuck Norris didn't just vote for me." Cross said, "because we're pretty much the same person."
Kansan staff writer Erick R.
Schmidt can be contacted at eschmidtekansan.com.
Edited by Sharla Shivers
Write-ins
Some other notable names that appeared on Student Senate election ballots:
-Billy Madison
- Elvis-Costello
- Jesus & Joe DiMaggio
(president/vice-president)
- Fred
-Fred
- Osama bin Laden
- Luke Skywalker
- The Great Gatsby
- Robert F. Kennedy
- Darth Vader
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
want to get involved on campus?
The Board of Class Officers is looking for class representatives for next year.
Get information Wednesday April 18th in the Governor's Room of the Kansas Union at 5:00 p.m.
All KU students are welcome!
For more information email Ryan Northup at kuryan85@ku.edu or Murtaza Khan at thekhan@ku.edu
The Dole Institute of Politics
100% COTTON 50 YARDS PACK 3.5 METRES X 2 METRES
PIZZA and POLITICS
Rol Kaplan
Senior Lecture in Organizational Behavior at Harvard Business School
ENJOY FREE PLIZZA and sodas as you listen to Mr Kaplan give a talk titled "How to Reach Your Potential in the Post-College World." Kaplan will discuss skills used in both the political and business worlds to gain success. He will then take questions from the audience. If you're interested in gaining insight into the post-college world and like FREE PLIZZA,
Where: Kansas Union - Centennial Room, 6th Floor
Dole Institute of Science - 2350 Petrush Drive - Lawrence, KS 60045 864.4900
When: Monday, April 16, 2007.
12:30-2 pm
10VCCVCCVCCVCC
American Business Women's Association
KU Chapter CARWASH Saturday, April 21 $^{st}$ from Noon-4pm Wal-Mart Lawn & Garden Center 31 $^{st}$ & Iowa
Have your car "professionally" washed!
The University of Kansas Emily Taylor Women's Resource Cencar & The Commission on the Status of Women
PRESENT
The Women's Recognition Program
RECEPTION FOLLOWING
Tuesday, April 17.2007, 7:30 p.m.
Big 12 Room, Kansas Union
GUEST SPEAKER
Dr. Barbara Atkinson, M.D.
Executive Vice Chancellor, KU Medical Center
and Executive Dean, KU School of Medicine
Reproductive Religion Rights
Pro-Choice Spirituality
The Odd Couple?
Reproductive Rights and Spirituality
A pro-choice interfaith forum
Listen to and participate in a dialogue between religious leaders about how reproductive rights and spirituality interplay
Where: The Kansas Room in the Kansas Union, KU
When: Tuesday, April 17th at 7pm
RF
Choice USA
This event is organized by Students for
Choice USA.
The purpose of this event is:
a. To promote student choice in
school subjects and resources.
b. To encourage students to
choose their school and its
resources.
April 16th,2007
The 2007 "Picture the World" Photo Contest is over.
Joe Posnanski
Come and see all 100 fabulous entries in the Kansas Union Gallery on display now through April 18th!
Kansas City Star Sports Columnist "Best Sports Columnist in America" by Associated Press Sports Editors
The Spirit of
BASEBALL
A Road Trip Through
Bank O'Kull's America
JOE FORNANSKI
PAID FOR BY KU
The Soul of Baseball
Tuesday, April 17
7:30PM
Kansas Union
Pine Room
KU PEACEBUILDERS
The Dole Center of Politics Student Advisory Board
Presents
PRESENTS:
Woodruff Auditorium Free Admission; Eligible for GAP credit
"Tax & Spend or Spend & Tax, and
Born into Brothels
Tax & Spend or Spend & Tax, and the Future of Stem Cells"
Join Gov. Holden and his guests Mati Shewee, Missouri House Budget Committee, Brad Ketcher, Carrie Clark, Chief of Staff and stem cell campaign manager in Missouri.
A documentary about kids born into Calcutta's Red Light District
Wednesday, April 18
7:00 p.m.
4:00:530 p.m. tonight at the Dole Institute of Politics, KU's West Campus Free Lemonade, Cookies, and Parking!
KU FOR UGANDA Benefit Concert 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 at the Granada Performances by: The Implants, Farewell to Ashlyn, Ten Hour Drive, Lucy's Revenge, and KU student, Brendan Reilly Cover is $5