KANSAS WILDLIFE AND PARKS COMMISSION TO MEET JUNE 23

Public hearing on early migratory bird, duck zone, and furbeaer regulations
NORTON — The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing on Thursday, June 23, at the Norton Community High School Auditorium, 103 West Woodfield in Norton. 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, followed by a general discussion period on the following topics:

  • Secretary’s remarks;
  • 2011 legislative update;
  • agency and state fiscal status; and
  • a general discussion on spring turkey seasons and public lands regulations.

The afternoon will also include a workshop session, in preparation for potential future regulatory action, covering preliminary recommendations on the following regulations:

  • vehicles on the ice of department-managed waters;
  • fishing regulations;
  • park regulations;
  • falconry regulations;
  • cabin camping permit fees;
  • late migratory bird seasons; and
  • K.A.R. 115-16-3, nuisance bird control permit — application, provisions, and requirements.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 7 p.m. at the same location to continue workshop discussion on the following topics:

  • potential changes in 2012 deer regulations; and
  • aquatic nuisance species (ANS) and bait regulations.

This workshop session will be followed by a public hearing on the following regulations:

  • early migratory bird seasons;
  • duck zone regulations, 2011 through 2015;
  • KAR 115-1-1, definitions — to clarify definition of furbearer water sets;
  • KAR 115-5-1, furbearers and coyotes — legal equipment, taking methods, and general provisions;
  • KAR 115-5-2, furbearers and coyotes — possession, disposal, and general provisions;
  • KAR 115-25-11, furbearers — open seasons and bag limits; and
  • KAR 115-25-9a, deer — open season, bag limit, permits, and additional considerations.

Time will be set aside in both the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on topics that are not on the agenda. If necessary, the commission will recess on June 23 and reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., June 24, to complete unfinished business.

Live video and audio streaming of this meeting will be broadcast through the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

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 and Parks Commission secretary at 620-672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 Highway near Great Bend.
-30-