PITTSBURG ? The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing April 21 at the Holiday Inn Express, 4020 Parkview Drive, Pittsburg.

The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. Commissioner John Fields, a Pittsburg resident whose term expires with this meeting, will be recognized for his service to the commission and the department. Department staff will also report on the status of KDWP-related legislation in the 2005 Kansas Legislature, and provide an overview of state tourism efforts.

General discussion topics will also include an update on the Landowner Deer Management Program, the state's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, the Community Fisheries Assistance Program, and the status of the department's efforts to develop an electronic license and permit system.

Commissioners will lead workshop session discussion of the following topics, in preparation for potential future regulatory action:

• proposed changes in prairie chicken, quail, and pheasant seasons;
• expected season dates and regulations for 2005 early migratory bird seasons; and
• regulatory changes that will be necessary to accommodate the planned conversion to electronic issuance of licenses, permits, stamps, tags, and other department issues.
• The afternoon session will recess at 5 p.m. The evening public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. at the same location. Among regulations slated for action during the hearing are the following:
• establishment of a $100 nonresident bobcat permit (KAR 115-5-4) that would allow a hunter to harvest one bobcat during the open hunting season. Currently, a nonresident must purchase a $250 furharvester permit to take a bobcat;
• modification of controlled shooting area reporting (KAR 115-11-1) to reduce the frequency of reports operators must compile on the number of birds released;
• addition of the New Zealand mud snail to the state's Prohibited Species List (KAR 115-18-10);
• establishment of 2005 deer seasons, limits, and permits (KAR 115-25-9); and
• establishment of Secretary's Orders for 2005 deer permit quotas.

Time will be made available in all sessions to allow public comment on items that are not on the agenda. If necessary, the Commission will recess on April 21, to reconvene April 22 at 9 a.m. at the same location to complete their business.

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