A public hearing will be conducted by the Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Commission at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 17, 2013 at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, 1100 N. Plum, Hutchinson, Kansas, to consider the approval and adoption of proposed regulations of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism.

A general discussion and workshop meeting on business of the Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Commission will begin at 1:30 p.m., October 17 at the location listed above. The meeting will recess at approximately 5:30 p.m. then resume at 7:00 p.m. at the same location for the regulatory hearing and more business. There will be public comment periods at the beginning of the afternoon and evening meeting for any issues not on the agenda and additional comment periods will be available during the meeting on agenda items. Old and new business may also be discussed at this time. If necessary to complete business matters, the Commission will reconvene at 9:00 a.m. October 18 at the location listed above.

This permanent regulation sets fees for various issues of the department. The proposed amendments would reduce resident and nonresident youth turkey, antelope and deer permit prices.

The proposed fee structure will result in a reduction to the wildlife fee fund of approximately $191,430. However, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in youth participation that will offset part of the fee fund reduction but any amount is purely speculative at this point. Otherwise, the amendments will not have any negative economic other agencies, small businesses or the public.

This permanent regulation sets special provisions for fishing. The proposed amendments would prohibit fishing or collection of bait within a fish passage, as defined in the regulation, in order to reduce user conflicts.

The proposed amendments will not have any appreciable negative economic on the department, other agencies, small businesses or the public.

This exempt regulation establishes the bag limits, permits, and game tags for the spring turkey season. The proposed changes would change opening dates beginning in 2015, splitting the youth season opening date away from the archery season and moving back the firearms season opening date back by one week.

The proposed version of the regulation is not anticipated to have any appreciable negative economic impact on the department, other agencies, small businesses or the public.

This exempt regulation establishes creel limits, size limits, possession limits, and open seasons for fishing. The proposed version of the regulation would update the reference document related to creel limits and size limits at various bodies of water throughout the state.

The proposed version of the regulation is not anticipated to have any appreciable negative economic impact on the department, other agencies, small businesses or the public.