Topic: Riparian forests and wetlands

Interview of John Strickler, May 22, 2019

Interviewed by Rex Buchanan

During John Strickler's 2019 oral history interview, he recalled meeting and becoming friends with newly-elected State Representative Mike Hayden. Later, from 1987 to 1989, Strickler served as Special Assistant to Governor Hayden on environmental matters. During the 1989 legislative session, Strickler assisted Hayden in his efforts to secure funding for implementation of the State Water Plan. He describes in some detail the debateed among the various interests over whether water plan funding should come from the State General Fund or from water user fees. Strickler observed the dynamics of the governor's office, legislature, and various interests in Show Morethe passage of the Water Plan funding. He noted that subsequent governors and the legislature have not maintained funding levels as originally proposed. Strickler discussed the difficulty of managing water resources in Kansas and elsewhere and the problems of implementing environmental education. Show Less