By ALICIA FEYERHERM
Tiger Media Network
The City Commission heard an update on the R9 wellfield and pipeline projects during Thursday’s meeting.
R9 Project Manager John Brown said they are awaiting KDHE approval for the wellfield design, which includes seven wells and well houses, a 500,000-gallon storage tank, a pump station and an elevated storage tank near Schoenchen.
The design of the 70-mile raw water transmission line is also complete. The design allows the 24-inch pipeline to be either PVC or HDPE, ensuring competitive pricing for materials.
The pipeline route was selected in 2023, and 115 of the 130 land tracks have been acquired.
The project is still several years out from completion. The estimated schedule includes the Water Transfer Act Approval, followed by advertising bid documents. Contracts would be awarded in February 2027, with construction to begin in Spring 2027 and to be completed by Summer 2029.
Mayor Mason Ruder said he received a call from Senator Jerry Moran letting him know that the R9 project was included in the most recent funding bill, so the City of Hays will be receiving about $11 million and the City of Russell $1 million for their share of the project.
“That is a big, big, big deal,” Ruder said.
R9 Property Manager Chris Smith then gave an update on the ranch itself.
Since 2003, the property has been transitioning from cropland to native grasses, which use significantly less water.
“Closing those 42 (crop) circles equates to around 96,000 people worth of Hays water that we are no longer throwing back on there,” Ruder said.
R9 uses a mix of rotational grazing and prescribed fires to maintain the native grasses.
“Native, warm-season grasses need disturbances to thrive and reproduce and maintain their dominance over the landscape,” Smith said.
The prescribed burn plans are developed in consultation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The Hays Parks Department and Hays Fire Department have agreed to help this year as well.
Pedestrian counters were installed at the trailheads of the walk-in hunting areas.
“These counters project an infrared beam that detects the change in temperatures, so they’re very accurate,” Smith said.
Between November 2025 and January 2026, over 1000 entrances were recorded.
Smith said the walk-in hunting access has brought non-resident hunters to Edwards County. He’s observed vehicles from several other states, including Arizona, North Carolina, Alaska, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Vermont, Nebraska, Michigan, Florida, Arkansas and Tennessee.
“And I’m not down there every day, this is just what I’ve seen,” Smith said.
Commissioner Sandy Jacobs applauded the work being done.
“I think about where it was and where it is now and how the State of Kansas feels about what we’ve done down there, it’s phenomenal,” Jacobs said. “Everyone needs to take a look at it.”
The commission also approved the Comprehensive Financial Management Policy during the meeting.
The next commission meeting will be at 4:00 p.m. on February 12 at City Hall.
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