Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission to Meet in El Dorado

Afternoon workshop items include big game and turkey hunting regulations

The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing on Thursday, Jan. 10, at Butler County Community College, Clifford/Stone Community Room, 901 Haverhill Rd., El Dorado. 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 about agency and state fiscal status, 2013 legislature, drawing for Commission Big Game Permits and public land regulations.

The afternoon will also include a workshop session, in preparation for potential regulatory action, covering preliminary recommendations on regulations dealing with agritourism, camping and utility fees, deer, antelope, elk and fall turkey.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 7 p.m. at the same location for the evening session, which will include a report on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services proposed ruling on listing of the lesser prairie chicken and upland bird regulations. Public hearing items include K.A.R. 115-09-8, migratory bird harvest program and K.A.R. 115-14-14, which deals with falconry; taking, banding, transporting and possessing raptors.

Time will be available in both the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on topics not on the agenda. If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., Jan. 11, to complete unfinished business.

Live video and audio streaming of this meeting will be broadcast through the KDWPT website, 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 21, 2013 in Topeka.