|
The Foundation was incorporated as a private, not-for-profit corporation in the state of Kansas on August 19, 2003.
The current directors are:
Scott Maurath, President, Oakley, KS
Mitch Baalman, Vice President, Menlo, KS
Bill Nondorf, Secretary, Hoxie, KS
Dave Rietcheck, Treasurer, Goodland, KS
Roger Zweygardt, St. Francis, KS
Monty Biggs, Atwood, KS
Jeff Deeds, Goodland, KS
Lon Frahm, Colby, KS
Jon Friesen, Colby, KS
Shane Mann, Quinter, KS
Doug David, Hill City, KS
The administrative director is Wayne Bossert, Colby.
The Foundation received its Internal Revenue Service (IRS) not-for-profit status on July 28, 2004, and receives grants, donations, and other funding from public and private sources in order to reduce consumptive groundwater usage from within the boundaries of the Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4.
This reduced consumptive use is achieved by incenting water right owners to reduce irrigated acres or otherwise reduce crop evapotranspiration. The incentives are provided for both permanent and temporary reductions, although permanent reductions are first priority.
Two financial banking accounts are used for these purposes - a long term "Trust" account and an active "Program" account. The Program account is the active account from which all annual incentive payments are made. Only the annual interest is used from the Trust account after being transferred to the Program account.
The Foundation works closely with the Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District which provides administrative support at no cost to the Foundation. This simply means that more dollars go toward the mission of reduced groundwater use. Another benefit of this alliance is the GMD's ability to evaluate water rights that are offered for set aside or retirement - again, at no cost to the Foundation. This arrangement ensures the best use of Foundation dollars.
Whenever possible, the Foundation will leverage its funding with other incentive or cost-share programs available which meet the same goals. This is another way that donated funds are stretched farther.
This Foundation works completely in concert with the water agencies of Kansas and is attempting to meet the goals of the Kansas Water Plan with respect to the Ogallala Aquifer.
Finally, If there is anything else you would like to know about this foundation, please contact the headquarters:
Wayne Bossert
PO Box 905
Colby, KS 67701-0905
(785) 462-3915
E-Mail The Foundation
|
