Is the NW Kansas GMD 4 closed down to new wells?
Yes and No. First of all, the 6, GMD4-designated high priority areas (HPA’s) are currently closed to new appropriations. Most of the rest of the district is not technically closed down to new wells. However, it is very difficult to meet the new development policy which is a pre-requisite for getting a new, non-domestic, water right. If there are equal to or more than 335 acrefeet of groundwater already appropriated within the 2-mile radial area surrounding a new proposed well, that location is over-appropriated and closed for new, non-domestic development. Details on this policy are contained in the Management Program section of this web site. The exception to the first part of this answer are the six High Priority Areas designated by the board for enhanced management. As of September, 2008 these six areas have been formally closed to new wells except for domestic, and term and temporary wells. Domestic wells are still allowed, but they must be drilled by a Kansas-licensed water well c
