A proposal by Kansas Agriculture Secretary Josh Svaty (swat-ee) to increase water conservation across the state appears to have run out of steam.

Svaty introduced a plan that would create a new use of water rights specifically for conservation. The program would be voluntary.

However, the plan never got moving in the Legislature.

The Kansas Farm Bureau supports the idea of conservation in the drier, western third of the state, but opposed applying the plan statewide.

The concern was that it would shut off uses for areas where water is plentiful, meaning some land owners or municipalities could hoard the water.

Some senators say the plan merits further study but is likely dead for the 2010 session.