The public hearing portion of the meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
PRATT – Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners will meet for the first time in 2015 on Jan. 8 at Bonner Springs Parks and Recreation, Sunflower Room, 200 E. 3rd St., Bonner Springs.
The afternoon session will begin with time for public comments on non-agenda items, followed by a general discussion period. Topics covered in the general discussion include Secretary’s remarks regarding agency and state fiscal status; an update on the 2015 legislature; the 2015 Commission big game permit drawing; an update on Tourism Division activities; regulations pertaining to public lands; coyote hunting during rifle deer season; Kaw River access and National Park Service trails designation; and an update on the Kansas Quail Initiative.
Workshop topics for the afternoon session, which will be discussed for potential regulatory action at a future meeting, include a series of regulations pertaining to antelope and elk, permanent regulations pertaining to big game, and a series of deer regulations. While no major regulation changes are being proposed, discussion will be open.
The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 6:30 p.m. at the same location to discuss any remaining workshop items and begin the public hearing. Public hearing items to be discussed and voted on during the evening session include general provisions related to tagging floatlines; displaying identification number and decals on sailboards; displaying vehicle permits at Kansas State Parks; and 2015 Free Park Entrance and Free Fishing Days.
Time will be available in both the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on non-agenda items. If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., Jan 9, to complete any unfinished business.
Commercial-free live video and audio streaming of the meeting will be broadcast through 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 March 23, 2015 at the Kansas Museum of History, 6425 SW 6th Ave., Topeka.
Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
