TONGANOXIE -- A public hearing to establish the 2001 big game seasons will highlight the April 19 meeting of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission in Tonganoxie. The public hearing will begin at 7 p.m., and will follow an afternoon session which begins at 1:30 p.m. Both sessions will be conducted at the Tonganoxie Junior High Gymnasium, 300 East 24/40 Highway.
The afternoon session will include general discussion of the following topics:
* A summary of department-related issues in the 2001 Kansas Legislature;
* Free Fishing Days and Free Park Entrance Days for 2001;
* Wildscape projects in the Tonganoxie area; and
* a report on state park visitation in 2000.
A workshop session, in preparation for potential future public hearings on proposed regulations, will follow. Among proposed regulations scheduled for discussion in the workshop session are the following:
* Youth upland bird hunting provisions for 2001;
* establishment of a youth season for spring turkey hunting for 2002;
* a new regulation authorizing bird release permits for educational hunts conducted outside established upland bird hunting seasons;
* designation of dark goose management units, permits and restrictions;
* early migratory bird seasons; and
* a variety of regulatory changes developed in response to an Executive Order requiring state agencies to review existing regulations for clarity and need.
The afternoon session will conclude with reports on local department lands and programs. The Commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 7 p.m. to conduct a public hearing on regulations for the 2001 deer, fall turkey, antelope, and elk seasons. Commissioners will also establish the state^s waterfowl zoning options for the next five-year period, and consider modifications to streamline and simplify small game hunting regulations.
Time will be set aside in both the afternoon and evening sessions to allow public comment on topics which are not on the agenda. If necessary, the Commission will recess on April 19 to reconvene at 9 a.m. April 20 at the same location.
If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the TDD Service at 1-800-766-3777. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Commission secretary at (316) 672-5911.
Uploaded:
4/17/2001