A public hearing will be conducted by the Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Commission at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the William Carpenter 4-H Building, Exhibit Building, Scott County Community Center and Fairground Facilities, 608 N. Fairground Road, Scott City, Kansas to consider the approval and adoption of the proposed regulations of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism.

A general discussion and workshop meeting on the business of the Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Commission will begin at 1:30 p.m., November 14 at the location listed above.  The meeting will recess at approximately 5:00 p.m. and then resume at 6:30 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. November 15 at the location listed above.

This permanent regulation provides for taking and use of baitfish or minnows.  The proposed amendments would require that crayfish, leeches, amphibians and mussels that are used as fishing bait conform to the same requirements for baitfish to reduce the risk of transmission of invasive species.

No substantial negative economic impact to the department, other state agencies, small businesses, or individual members of the public is anticipated.

This permanent regulation sets requirements for fish processing and possession.  The proposed amendments would allow use of electronic carcass tagging as the agency moves towards electronic licensing and permitting.

No substantial negative economic impact to the department, other state agencies, small businesses, or individual members of the public is anticipated.

This permanent regulation sets general provisions for big game and wild turkey.  The proposed amendments would allow the use of electronic carcass tagging as the agency moves towards electronic licensing and permitting.

No substantial negative economic impact to the department, other state agencies, small businesses, or individual members of the public is anticipated.

This exempt regulation sets the fall season, bag limit and permits for turkeys.  The proposed version of the regulation would close the fall season in three of the five currently open units.

The proposed version of the regulation is expected to reduce fees to the department in the amount of $82,884 and the collateral economic impact to the State of Kansas will be an estimated reduction of $5,308,560.  Otherwise, no substantial negative economic impact to the department, other state agencies, small businesses, or individual members of the public is anticipated.

This exempt regulation sets the spring season, bag limit, permits and game tags.  The proposed version of the regulation would reduce the spring bag limit for turkeys in three units from two birds to one bird.

The reduction in bag limit is estimated to reduce fees collected by the department in the amount of $243,810.  The collateral economic benefit to the State of Kansas for the spring turkey season is estimated to be $58,135,600.  Otherwise, no substantial negative economic impact to the department, other state agencies, small businesses, or individual members of the public is anticipated.