Save the Wakarusa River Valley (SWRV) was established in 2024. We are a group of community members who work together to advocate for the Wakarusa River Valley, which is currently facing threats of urban encroachment. Our group is comprised of people who come from all different backgrounds, but have one major thing in common--speaking up for and protecting the land. We are currently opposing the New Boston Crossing development South of Iowa due to environmental, cultural, and ethical concerns. Read more about this project below or under the "New Boston Crossing AKA Ten59" tab!

This project is a very complex project and requires numerous steps before the developer can actually move any dirt. The City Commission is reviewing the Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) AMDT-25-0006 to Plan 2040, Chapter 8B; Specific Land Use Plans: Revised Southern Development Plan. To learn more about comprehensive plan amendments, keep reading below or visit our page Steps to Development.  We are currently waiting for the City of Lawrence to review a floodplain development permit (submitted 02/10/26), waiting for the Planning Commission to review a preliminary plat and rezoning request (submitted 11/24/25), and waiting for a FEMA CLOMR (more info). There are public comment opportunities on the preliminary plat and rezoning. As soon as this date is released we will post it.  

Comprehensive Plan Amendment: A Comprehensive Plan is arguably not a binding legal action and is more a philosophical understanding of how and where the City wants to grow. It's not a question of "can we" but a question of "should we". Plan 2040 states "[t]he comprehensive plan is a binding land use document that outlines the general principles, goals, and policies the community of unincorporated Douglas County and the City of Lawrence value and expect within the community." and "All development proposals must comply with the Comprehensive Plan. If a proposal does not comply with Comprehensive Plan requirements, then the applicant must pursue a plan amendment. In pursuing an amendment, the applicant must show that the proposal is reasonable within the context of the entire Comprehensive Plan." While an approval or denial of this Comprehensive Plan amendment does not have a direct kill switch effect on the project, a project's conformance with the Comprehensive Plan is one of the Golden Factors considered for rezoning. This is also the only item that will come up before the Planning, City, and County Commission. The amendment requires unanimous voting amongst all Commissions, one Commission can kill the amendment. This happened in 2024 when the County Commission voted against the Comprehensive Plan put forth by the developer of New Boston Crossing. Unfortunately, this did not stop the City Commission from rezoning the property a day later.