Good News for the Kansas River

June 6, 2014 by /
Pick up a Kansas River Trail Access Map at one of Friends of the Kaw’s booths on Sat. April 19!
  • Party for the Planet at the Topeka Zoo from 9am to 3pm at Gage Boulevard and 6th StreetFriends of the Kaw 3
  • Lawrence’s Earth Day Celebration from 11:30am to 4pm at South Park, 11th & Massachusetts Street
  • Topeka Green Fair from 1 to 4pm at the Shawnee County/Topeka Library, 1515 SW 10th Avenue
This is Good News for the Kansas River!

After review of a consultants report and completion of an Environmental Assessment, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was unable to conclude that there are no potentially significant impacts associated with dredging activities proposed by the dredging companies. They have determined an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be necessary before dredging operations may be reauthorized in the Kansas River. Current dredging permits have been extended through this process.

The last EIS was published in 1990 and this new EIS is an important step to POSSIBLY getting sand dredging off the Kaw, a long time goal of Friends of the Kaw. We have worked to move in-river dredging to appropriately sited pit mines in the Kansas River valley for more than 20 years.

More information on our dredging advocacy efforts!

Friends of the Kaw will continue to follow this issue and let our members know when public meetings are scheduled or written comments need to be submited.

What will the future of the Kaw look like?

Sandbar-Craig

OR

or this

Filed Under: Newsletters, Uncategorized

New Development in Dredging on the Kaw

June 6, 2014 by /
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces new development in dredging on the Kaw!

After review of a consultant report and completion of an Environmental Assessment (EA), the Corps was unable to conclude that there are no potentially significant impacts associated with dredging activities proposed by the dredging companies. They have determined an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be necessary before dredging operations may be reauthorized in the Kansas River. Current dredging permits have been extended through this process.

Friends of the Kaw will continue to follow this issue and let our members know when public meetings are scheduled or written comments need to be submitted.

For more information and read the Corps Press Release

More Good News Concerning Bald Eagles!

From a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wildlife biologist on the current status of nesting bald eagles in Kansas: “We currently have 73 active nests in the state which exceeds the record we set last year of 56 nests. In addition, thanks to the generosity of Westar Energy we conducted an aerial survey of the Kansas River on Tuesday. We documented 20 active nesting territories from Ft. Riley to Bonner Springs which is also an all time record.”

The photos below were submitted to Friends of the Kaw from Chance Thoman of Turner High School. They were taken in Bonner Springs and at the Turner boat ramp.

VRnews eagle1

VRnews eagle2

VRnews eagle3

 

Filed Under: Newsletters, Uncategorized

Healthy Yards Expo and Other Updates

March 31, 2014 by /
ALERT – Senate Floor Debate on:

Senate Substitute for HB 2118 to repeal the Threatened and Endangered Species Act  in Kansas law, will be heard today or Wednesday on the Senate floor.

Information about Kansas Threatened and Endangered Species Act

Senate Substitute for HB 2014, repealing the Renewable Energy Standards or Renewable Portofolio Standards will also likely be heard on the Senate floor today.

Also watch for Senate Bill 323, this bill would destroy conservation easements by prohibiting perpetual easements and requiring that easements terminate when the landowner dies.

Contact your legislators if you have concerns about these bills!

House Directory

Senate Directory

To identify your legistators

Nurturing Our Planet ….     Mind, Body, Spirit

Join the Kansas City Yoga Community and meditation teacher and passionate environmentalist Sami Aaron for one of these special 2-hour donation-based workshops celebrating Earth Day 2014!

While Friends of the Kaw is not one of the chosen beneficiaries – many studios did choose a cause that benefits water!

 

Upcoming Activities

FOK Program for Keenagers
Monday, April 7 at noon
Asbury Methodist, 5400 W 75th St, Prairie Village, KS

FOK Program for Susanna Wesley Methodist Church
Tuesday, April 8 at noon
7433 Sw 29th St, Topeka, KS 66614

Reading and book signing: Along the Kaw by author Craig Thompson
Thursday, April 10 at 7pm
Raven Book Store
8 E 7th St, Lawrence, KS 66044

Eat Local and Organic Expo
Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 9:30 to 2:30
Penn Valley Community College Gym
3201 SW Trafficway, KC MO

Filed Under: Newsletters, Uncategorized

It’s Almost Time to Paddle!

March 17, 2014 by /

Time to start planning your Kaw River Float Trip!

Friends of the Kaw sponsors both private and public educational float trips from April through October. We are focusing our efforts on scheduling private groups of 16 to 24 people. The advantage of organizing a group trip is that you pick the date, time and river segment you wish to float and we bring the boats and host an educational “sand bar” seminar followed by a hot dog & marshmallow roast. There are now over 20 access ramps on the Kaw so there are many opportunities for float trips between 5 and 14 miles. If you have questions or would like to inquire about a private float visit our “contact us”  page.

Once we schedule a group float trip, we open registration to the general public  two weeks before the scheduled date.  You need to check with the Kansas Riverkeeper to see if there are available canoes or kayaks for that trip, and to register. Friends of the Kaw estimates it takes about 1 hour to paddle 3 miles.  Novice paddlers should not attempt to paddle more that 10 miles in one day.

If you are not interested in organizing a group float trip, check out these options to get out on the Kaw:

Kaw Valley Canoe Rental – new in Topeka!

Up a Creek – in Lawrence

Mud Kat Kayaking – in Manhattan

For other business that rent canoes and/or kayaks check out the bottom of FOK Float Trips page.

Kansas River Water Trail in the News:

 

Upcoming Activities

Healthy Yards Expo
Saturday, March 29 from 9 to 2
Shawnee Civic Centre
13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS

 

 

Filed Under: Newsletters, Uncategorized
« Previous Page
Next Page »