The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will discuss a plan for future collaboration in the Wakarusa River Valley.
The Wakarusa River Valley Vision Plan aims to lay the groundwork for future approaches to the ecologically rich area around the Wakarusa River, which runs south of Lawrence, stretching from Clinton Lake to Eudora.
According to the county commission’s meeting agenda, the plan will function as a framework for future planning and resource management.
The agenda says the plan “recognizes private property rights, the need for interjurisdictional coordination, the area’s history and Indigenous perspectives, and increasing flood and other hazards associated with changing landscape and climate.”
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Development of the plan has been led by the environmental consulting firm Biohabitats. It included open houses where community members could provide input. Core members of the plan’s development included the county, the City of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University and the Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center.
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The plan’s vision statement for the river valley is for it to be a “collaborative river and watershed system that sustains clean water, natural flood processes, and native habitats. The river and valley will link people, wildlife, history, and culture in a resilient, celebrated, and accessible landscape where education, recreation, and shared responsibility allow the river and community to thrive.”
On Wednesday, county commissioners will learn more about the plan’s recommendations from a Biohabitats representative and county staff during a work session.
According to a memo from County Administrator Sarah Plinsky, the commission is set to vote on the plan at the end of the month.
See the full draft at this link.
Commission to vote on pilot for extended-stay tiny homes
Later on Wednesday, the commission will consider approving a pilot project to turn some shipping container shelters into extended-stay housing at the Lawrence Community Shelter.
Monarch CARES, or Crisis And Respite Extended Stay, will provide services for people experiencing homelessness who have a medical need and no good place to recover.
The commission learned more about the plan during a work session last week.
The pilot would last until the end of the year and cost $36,500, including an updated agreement with the community shelter and money set aside for health services.
Meeting info
The commission’s work session will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 in the commission chamber of the historic courthouse at 1100 Massachusetts St.
The commission’s regular business meeting will start at 5:30 p.m.
People can submit written public comment to [email protected] up until 24 hours ahead of the scheduled meeting start time. The commission does not hear public comment during work sessions, but there is a general public comment period during the regular meeting afterward.
See the commission’s meeting agenda at this link, and find info to attend the meeting via Zoom at this link.
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Cuyler Dunn (he/him), staff reporter, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2022. He can be reached at [email protected].
Read his complete bio at this link. Read more of his work for the Times at this link.
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