Issue 33 - 08-18-2022 | Wildlife and Parks Commission | Notice of Hearing on Proposed Administrative Regulations

Volume 41 - Issue 33 - August 18, 2022

State of Kansas

Wildlife and Parks Commission

Notice of Hearing on Proposed Administrative Regulations

A public hearing will be conducted by the Wildlife and Parks Commission at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Colby Event Center, 1200 S. Franklin, Colby, Kansas, to consider the approval and adoption of proposed administrative regulations of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

An education session for commissioners may be conducted beginning at 9:00 a.m. November 17, 2022, at the location listed above. A workshop meeting on business of the Wildlife and Parks Commission will begin at 1:00 p.m. November 17, 2022, 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 meetings 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 the hearing or other business matters, the commission will reconvene at 9:00 a.m. November 18, 2022, at the location listed above.

Any individual with a disability may request an accommodation in order to participate in the public hearing and may request the proposed regulations and economic impact statements in an accessible format. Requests for accommodation to participate in the hearing should be made at least five working days in advance of the hearing by contacting Sheila Kemmis, Commission secretary, at 620-672-5911. Persons with a hearing impairment may call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698 to request special accommodations.

This 60-day notice period prior to the hearing constitutes a public comment period for the purpose of receiving written public comments on the proposed administrative regulations.

All interested parties may submit written comments prior to the hearing to the Chairman of the Commission, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 1020 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66612 or to sheila.kemmis@ks.gov, if submitted electronically. All interested parties will be given a reasonable opportunity at the hearing to express their views orally regarding the adoption of the proposed regulations. During the hearing, all written and oral comments submitted by interested parties will be considered by the commission as a basis for approving, amending and approving, or rejecting the proposed regulations.

The regulations that will be heard during the regulatory hearing portion of the meeting are as follows:

K.A.R. 115-5-1. This permanent regulation amendment adds laser sights to the illuminating devices which may be used for the taking of furbearers treed with the aid of dogs when paired with a .22 or .17 caliber rimfire handgun or rifle.

Economic Impact Summary: This amendment is not expected to have any significant economic impact on the department, other agencies, or the public.

K.A.R. 115-25-11. This exempt regulation establishes open seasons for hunting, running and trapping furbearers and also establishes bag limits.

Economic Impact Summary: The economic impact will be directly proportionate to any increase in furbearer harvest resulting from an additional 15 days of general furbearer open season and increases in the otter bag limits.

K.A.R. 115-17-6. This permanent regulation revocation will eliminate all licensing provisions for commercial mussel harvest.