June 13, 2013

Live, commercial-free video and audio streaming of meetings now available for first time

PRATT­– The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing on Thursday, June 27, at the Lee Richardson Zoo, 312 Finnup Dr., Garden City. The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m., and the evening session will begin at 7 p.m.

The afternoon session will begin with time for public comments on non-agenda items. The general discussion period will cover the following topics: Secretary’s remarks about agency and state fiscal status and an update on the 2013 legislative session, a briefing on tourism, Spring/Fall 2014 turkey regulations, and youth license and permit fees.

During the afternoon session, commissioners will workshop items that were covered under general discussion at the April meeting. Workshop topics, which will be discussed for potential regulatory action at a future meeting, include regulations pertaining to fishing, parks, late migratory bird seasons, prairie chickens, and an update on the lesser prairie chicken federal listing.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 7 p.m. at the same location for the public hearing. The first portion of the public hearing will be devoted to bringing regulations related to agritourism into the KDWPT regulation system. Agritourism duties were transferred to KDWPT in 2011 when Gov. Brownback’s Executive Reorganization Order No. 36 moved the Division of Travel and Tourism into KDWPT. Other regulations that will be voted on include the KAR 115-5 series that deals with furbearers and coyotes. At the April meeting, commissioners heard comments on a recommendation that would prohibit coyote hunting with vehicles and two-way radios during the regular firearm deer season. After discussion, commissioners requested KDWPT staff to bring several options to the June public hearing. Regulations that cover the use of baiting, blinds and tree stands on public lands that required some clean-up will be heard and voted on. Deer season dates for Ft. Riley will be approved, and recommendations for early migratory bird seasons will be heard.

Time will be available in both afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on topics not on the agenda. If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., June 28, to complete unfinished business.

For the first time, a commercial-free version of live video and audio streaming of commission meetings will be broadcast through the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com.

If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at (620) 672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for August, 1, 2013 at the Woodson County Community Building in Yates Center.

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