KID

TOPEKA—The Kansas Insurance Department (KID) can provide personal insurance assistance and information to Kansans affected by recent fires throughout the state, according to Ken Selzer, CPA, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance. The department also has a new fire prevention video available.

“The aftermath of the recent western Kansas wildfires and the major fire event in Overland Park is emotional for property owners, so we suggest that they work through their insurance companies’ claims process as best as they can,” said Ken Selzer, CPA, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance. “But representatives on our Consumer Assistance Hotline, 800-432-2484, are ready to assist those who have questions or concerns about their insurance coverage. We believe that the insurance companies have responded well to their policyholders’ concerns, but we also stand ready to assist if needed.”

To help prevent loss from future fires, the Commissioner said, KID produced a video discussing fire zone defensible areas around housing.

Additionally, approximately 800 informational packets were mailed to insurance agencies and related entities in the western half of Kansas. The packets contained a “Wildland Fire Action Guide” distributed by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the KID “Auto and Homeowners Insurance” booklet, and a KID “Personal Inventory” booklet.

“All of those booklets are available to Kansans through our website, www.ksinsurance.org,” Commissioner Selzer said. “They contain valuable tips on acquiring and maintaining auto and homeowners insurance, how to inventory your belongings, and how to provide a barrier to encroaching fire through preventive landscaping.”

Also available through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website are Disaster Prep Guides. To access them, go to http://www.insureuonline.org/insureu_special_disaster.htm.

KDWPT

PRATT – On March 31, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service its third annual report detailing achievements under the Lesser Prairie Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan. Among the highlights, WAFWA reported on the purchase of an ecologically significant property in Kansas, which permanently protects nearly 30,000 acres of high-quality lesser prairie chicken habitat.

The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of the state wildlife agencies of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado and is administered by WAFWA. It was developed to promote conservation by providing a blueprint for lesser prairie chicken conservation through voluntary cooperation of landowners, land management agencies and industry participants. The plan allows participants to continue operations while restoring and maintaining habitat and reducing development impacts to the bird and its habitat.

“As we close out our third year of implementation, we’re really hitting our stride,” said Alexa Sandoval, director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and chairman of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative Council. “We are encouraged that despite an oil and gas industry downturn, support for this collaborative conservation approach remains strong. We commend all of our partners for their participation in the range-wide plan.”

The plan was endorsed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2013, and as part of the conservation effort, states agreed to report annually on the overall progress of the plan. Other progress report highlights include:

By the end of 2016, WAFWA was conserving 133,703 acres on 16 sites, either through fee title ownership or long-term contractual agreements. Three of those sites, totaling 33,053 acres, are permanently conserved through perpetual conservation easements or fee title ownership. The other 13 sites are in 10-year contracts with private landowners and cover 100,650 acres.

Most significantly, a 29,718-acre land acquisition by WAFWA was finalized in June 2016, permanently protecting high-quality habitat in the sand sagebrush ecoregion. The property was purchased from a willing seller and will continue to be managed as a working cattle ranch using livestock as the primary tool to create optimum habitat for lesser prairie chickens. In addition, 1,781 acres of privately owned native rangeland is now permanently protected in the mixed grass ecoregion. WAFWA purchased a perpetual easement on the property that protects the conservation values of the site. The easement is held by Pheasants Forever.

The 2016 annual lesser prairie chicken aerial survey showed stable population trends. An estimated breeding population of 25,261 birds was documented in 2016, which scientists say is not statistically different from the estimate of 29,162 birds in 2015, given the variability associated with the survey methodology. Aerial surveys for 2017 are underway and will run through mid-May. Results are anticipated in early July.

In 2016, 114 industry-related projects were mitigated. There continues to be a surplus of credits available with a range-wide positive value of 71,639 units. This reflects the continued low energy prices that have slowed industry development in the region. WAFWA has focused on committing enrollment and mitigation fees for conservation contracts to benefit the bird and to ensure companies have available mitigation credit to develop as energy prices rebound. In July 2016, WAFWA developed a process to address non-payment of enrollment fees that provides several options to help companies stay enrolled in the program.

And finally, a renewed cooperative effort between the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pheasants Forever and WAFWA will enhance program promotion, monitoring activities, and conservation planning and delivery. There was also continued effort to work with state wildlife agencies to identify and pursue research and management needs. Those activities included lesser prairie-chicken translocation efforts that moved birds from the shortgrass to sand sagebrush ecoregion.

Full details are in the annual report, which will be available on the WAFWA website at www.wafwa.org.

KDR

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Revenue is dedicating additional staff to answer phones and keeping the lines open later on Thursday April 6 to help Kansans with questions about their 2016 individual income tax returns.

As in prior years, the department will also have phone lines for its Electronic Services Unit open late on tax day, April 18, to help people with questions about KS WebFile, the state’s free online income tax filing program, or other electronic return questions.

Phone lines will be open until 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 6. For assistance people should call:
· For tax-related questions, contact the customer service line at 785-368-8222, option 4 then option 1
· For technical questions, contact Electronic Services Help at 785-296-6993

If customers simply need to check on the status of their refund, they can do so online any time at www.ksrevenue.org/RefundStatus or by calling 1-800-894-0318 to connect to the department’s automated refund status line.

To ensure taxpayer confidentiality and accuracy, people should have their most current tax information available when they call.

KDOC

TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), in commemoration of Kansas Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 2-8, 2017, will present programs for correctional staff and inmates illustrating how victim-centered practices benefit victims and inmates.

Governor Sam Brownback’s proclamation of Crime Victims’ Rights Week coincides with the national annual observance to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights and resources available in the community. Throughout the week, the KDOC’s Office of Victim Services (OVS) will highlight the KDOC’s commitment to restorative justice principles, which encourage offenders to accept accountability for their crimes by taking responsibility, making amends and changing the attitudes and thinking behind their criminal behavior.

“Seeking justice means recognizing victims’ rights,” said Audrey Cress, KDOC’s director of victim services. “Employing restorative justice practices requires that we hear the voices of the victims. And these voices are essential for offenders to understand the true impact of their actions on the victim and the community.”

Sponsored by the KDOC’s Office of Victim Services (OVS), workshops aimed at inmates in Lansing Correctional Facility and Topeka Correctional Facility will focus on the Apology Letter Repository program where apology letters written by offenders are stored and provided, upon request, to the victim. In composing a letter, an offender may acknowledge fault, express remorse or acknowledge the injury and pain caused to the victim or others. The letters do not offer excuses or request forgiveness. As part of the workshops, a guest speaker will talk about the loss of her daughter in a driving under the influence crash and how an apology letter would have aided in her healing process.

During the week, staff at the two facilities will attend training sessions to enhance their understanding of restorative justice practices and the programming available to inmates.

Events at Winfield Correctional Facility will highlight April as national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Inmates will hear from a guest speaker about the impact of sexual assault on the victim as well as learn about the aftercare that is involved, prevention strategies and risks inmates may encounter while incarcerated. To further raise awareness among the inmate population, inmates will be able to take part in a march titled “Walk a Mile in a Victim’s Shoes” around the facility’s track on April 27.

In addition to the KDOC’s programs during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, various fundraising events will be held at state correctional facilities and parole offices benefiting community sexual assault, domestic violence and victim advocacy agencies. The KDOC also will be participating in the Courage Walk and Voices of Victims Rally in Topeka Friday.

KDWPT

PRATT – The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission conducted a public meeting in Topeka on March 23 and voted on big game seasons, including deer, elk and antelope. Secretary’s Orders for 2017 deer permit quotas were also presented.

Items reviewed during the Workshop Session included recommendations for migratory bird seasons, including snipe, rail, dove, sandhill cranes, exotic dove, ducks and geese. Migratory bird seasons and regulations will be voted on during the Public Hearing portion of the April 20 meeting in Pratt. Full text of the recommendations can be downloaded here: ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Upcoming-Commission-Meetings/March-23-2017.

The commission approved the following season dates:

2017 ANTELOPE SEASON

The archery antelope season will be Sept. 23-Oct. 1, 2017 and Oct. 14-31, 2017, the firearm season is Oct. 6-9, 2017, and the muzzleloader season is Oct. 2-9, 2017.

This year, antelope firearm permit numbers have been reduced 6 percent in response to survey findings. Two hundred and thirty firearm and muzzleloader permits will be allocated through a random computer drawing in June. The online application period for resident firearm and muzzleloader antelope permits is May 9-June 9, 2017. Resident and nonresident archery pronghorn permits are unlimited and may be purchased over the counter.

2017 ELK SEASONS

Twelve either-sex elk permits and 15 antlerless-only elk permits are allocated for hunting in Unit 2A, which is Ft. Riley, Unit 2, which is the area around Ft. Riley, and Unit 3, which includes the rest of the state, excluding Morton County. Unit 2 permits are divided among military personnel stationed at the fort and Kansas general residents. Applications will be accepted online through July 14, 2017.

The 2017 archery and muzzleloader season on Ft. Riley for Unit 2 any-elk and antlerless-only permit holders will be Sept. 1-30, 2017. Either-sex permit holders may hunt with any legal equipment in Unit 2 Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2017. One-third of the antlerless-only elk Unit 2 permits are valid during each of the three segments: Oct. 1-31, Nov. 1-30 and Dec. 1-31, 2017.

An unlimited number of hunt-own-land either-sex and antlerless-only elk permits for those who own land in Unit 2 are available over the counter. These permits are valid in Unit 2 (excluding Ft. Riley) and Unit 3. An unlimited number of resident either-sex and antlerless-only elk permits valid in Unit 3 are available over the counter.

Elk seasons outside of Unit 2A (Ft. Riley) are: Muzzleloader – Sept. 1-30, 2017, Archery – Sept. 11-Dec. 31, 2017, and Firearm – Nov. 29-Dec. 10, 2017 and Jan. 1-March 15, 2018.

2017 DEER SEASONS

The 2017 deer season dates approved include Youth and Persons With Disabilities – Sept. 2-10, 2017; Muzzleloader – Sept. 11-24, 2017; Archery – Sept. 11-Dec. 31, 2017; Pre-rut White-tailed Antlerless-only – Oct. 7-9, 2017; and Firearm – Nov. 29-Dec. 10, 2017.

Extended white-tailed antlerless-only firearm seasons include Jan.1, 2018 in Units 6, 8, 9, 10, 16, or 17; Jan. 1-7, 2018 in Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, or 14; and Jan. 1-14, 2018 in Units 10A, 15, or 19; white-tailed antlerless-only archery Jan. 15-31, 2018 in Urban Unit 19.

In final action, the Commission heard Secretary’s Orders for nonresident deer permit quotas, which are unchanged from 2016. Online applications for nonresident deer permits will be accepted April 1-28, 2017 or applicants may call 800-918-2877.

The next Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commission meeting is scheduled for April 20, 2017, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Operations Office, Pratt.

OFFICE OF GOV.

TOPEKA – Governor Sam Brownback recently issued a proclamation declaring the month of April as “Safe Digging Month” in Kansas. The proclamation, in concurrence with National Safe Digging Month, reminds Kansans to call 811 before starting any outdoor that requires digging—including landscaping and home improvement projects. Calling 811 is a no-cost, convenient way to avoid injuries, property damage and outages.

The Kansas Corporation Commission, Kansas One-Call, the Kansas Pipeline Association, the Common Ground Alliance, and Governor Brownback are encouraging excavators and homeowners to call 811 before they begin digging projects to prevent injuries, property damage, and inconvenient outages. A utility line is damaged by digging once every eight minutes nationwide, and one-third of those incidents are caused by failure of the professional excavator or homeowner to call 811 before digging.

When dialing 811, callers are connected to Kansas One-Call, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Calls are taken 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Requests can also be entered at www.kansasonecall.com. Excavators and homeowners are required to make a request at least two working days in advance of beginning a digging project. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags or spray paint. Once lines have been accurately marked, digging can begin.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, requires a call to 811. There is no charge to have utility lines marked. The depth of utility lines varies, and there may be multiple lines in a common area. Some utility lines are buried only a few inches below the surface, making them easy to strike during shallow digging projects. Installing a mailbox, landscaping, putting in a fence, and building a deck are all examples of digging projects that necessitate a call to 811 before starting.

Learn more about 811 and Safe Digging Month by visiting: www.call811.com. More information about Kansas One-Call is available at: www.kansasonecall.com.

KDWPT

PRATT – Beginning April 1, hunters interested in obtaining a nonresident deer permit may begin the online application process by visiting www.kshuntfishcamp.com. The cost to apply is $442.50 for hunters 16 and older and $117.50 for hunters 15 and younger, plus processing fees. Deadline to apply is April 28. Permits are awarded though a random computer drawing, so applying early will not give hunters any advantage in the lottery draw.

Hunters interested in purchasing a preference point in lieu of applying may do so for $25, plus processing fees.

A total of 21,816 nonresident white-tailed deer combo permits are available for the 2017-2018 season, and hunters drawing archery or muzzleloader white-tailed deer combo permits in units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 16, 17 or 18 are eligible to apply for a mule deer stamp ($152.50). Those who draw a mule deer stamp drawing will have a permit valid for either species/either sex. Nonresident deer permits will be distributed among the deer management units as follows:

Unit 1: 850 (50 mule deer stamps)

Unit 2: 466 (40 mule deer stamps)

Unit 3: 1,002 (20 mule deer stamps)

Unit 4: 492 (5 mule deer stamps)

Unit 5: 656 (10 mule deer stamps)

Unit 6: 538

Unit 7: 1,603 (2 mule deer stamps)

Unit 8: 1,940

Unit 9: 981

Unit 10: 1,252

Unit 11: 3,109

Unit 12: 2,076

Unit 13: 621

Unit 14: 1,856

Unit 15: 1,405

Unit 16: 2,103 (5 mule deer stamps)

Unit 17: 562 (50 mule deer stamps)

Unit 18: 304 (20 mule deer stamps)

The 2017 deer season will be open Sept. 2-10 for youth and disabled hunters; Sept. 11-24 for muzzleloader season; Sept. 11-Dec. 31 for archery season; Oct. 7-9 for the pre-rut white-tailed deer antlerless-only season; and Nov. 29-Dec. 10 for firearms seasons.

Extended firearms seasons will be open Jan.1 in Units 6, 8, 9, 10, 16, or 17; Jan. 1-7 in Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, or 14; and Jan. 1-14 in Units 10A, 15, or 19.

For more information on deer hunting in Kansas, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting,” “Big Game Information,” then “Deer.”

KCC

TOPEKA – The Kansas Cold Weather Rule ends this Friday, March 31. That means Kansans who are behind on electric and natural gas utility bills will be subject to disconnection of service unless they contact their utility company to make payment arrangements.

The Cold Weather Rule, in effect November 1 through March 31 each year, provides protection to residential customers who cannot fully pay winter utility bills from companies under the Kansas Corporation Commission’s (KCC) jurisdiction. That protection ends on Thursday. Failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in service disconnection. Reconnection may require payment in full.

The Cold Weather Rule requires utilities to set up 12-month payment plans for customers who cannot afford to pay their full bill. As part of this arrangement, the customer must make an initial payment of 1/12 of the overdue amount, 1/12 of the bill for current service, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fees, plus any applicable deposit owed to the utility. The balance will be billed in equal payments over the next 11 months in addition to the regular monthly bill.

The KCC adopted the Cold Weather Rule to protect customers during cold winter weather by providing a reasonable and organized method of paying past due and current bills. The Cold Weather Rule applies only to residential customers of electric and natural gas utility companies under the KCC’s jurisdiction. For a complete list of utilities regulated by the KCC visit: http://www.kcc.ks.gov/pi/jurisdictional_utilities.htm.

More information about the Cold Weather Rule is available at: http://www.kcc.ks.gov/pi/cwr_english.htm. Kansans may also contact their local utility company or the KCC’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at (800) 662-0027.

KDWPT

PRATT – You don’t need a coupon, but you do need to hurry. Early bird rates on all spring turkey permit and game tag combos will be ending March 31, so if you’re a turkey hunter, now is the time to buy.

You can save this spring by buying your combination turkey permit/game tags before the start of the season. After Fri., March 31, permits can only be purchased separately and at the regular price. Early buy rates through March 31 are as follows:

Resident Youth Combo (2 birds): $12.50 – save $2.50

General Resident Combo (2 birds): $37.50 – save $7.50

Landowner/Tenant Combo (2 birds): $20.00 – save $12.50

Nonresident Youth Combo (2 birds): $22.50 – save $2.50

Nonresident Combo (2 birds): $87.50 – save $7.50

Nonresident Tenant Combo (2 birds): $45.00 – save $20.00

A turkey permit or game tag is valid for one bearded turkey. In addition to turkey permits, all hunters must have a valid hunting license, unless exempt by law.

Any individual who has purchased a spring turkey permit is also eligible for one spring turkey game tag. Spring game tags are valid for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. Youth permits are valid statewide, including Unit 4.

Hunters who drew a Unit 4 (southwest Kansas) spring turkey permit earlier this year may also use their Unit 4 permit in adjacent Units 1, 2 and 5.

The 2017 Kansas spring turkey season will kick off with the youth and disabled season April 1- 11, followed by the archery season April 3-11, and regular firearm season April 12-May 31.

KDWPT

PRATT – It’s tax time, and charitable donations are on our minds. What if your donation could make a positive difference in a disabled veteran’s life? The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) issues hunting and fishing licenses to Kansas disabled veterans, free of charge. Licenses are paid for with funding provided by the State. However, in recent years demand for the licenses has outgrown funding before the end of the fiscal year (July 1-June 30) in which it was allocated.

To cover the cost of licenses for disabled veterans whose applications are received after funding is exhausted, KDWPT has established a special disabled veterans donation account. If you would like to help provide a Kansas disabled veteran with a hunting and fishing license this year, mail a donation to KDWPT, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124 and specify that the donation is for “Disabled Veterans’ Hunting and Fishing Licenses.” Donations can be made for any amount and there is no deadline to donate. Donations can also be made online when purchasing your hunting or fishing license at ksoutdoors.com.

There may be tax advantages, so consult your tax advisor. You’ll know for certain, though, that your donation will be used to ensure those who have made heroic sacrifices to protect our freedoms and way of life continue to enjoy hunting and fishing in Kansas.

For more information on disabled veteran licenses and how you can donate, call (620) 672-5911.

KDWPT

PRATT – Don’t let Facebook and Instagram be the only places you share your favorite wildlife, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor photos; enter them in the 2017 Wild About Kansas photo contest. Hosted by Kansas Wildlife and Parks Magazine staff, the 5th annual contest will kick off March 23 and run through 5 p.m. on Oct 13, 2017. The contest is open to both Kansas residents and nonresidents, and there is no age limit.

Participants can enter up to three photos, given the photos are the participants’ original work and were taken in the state of Kansas. Winning entries will be featured in the 2018 Mar/Apr issue of Kansas Wildlife and Parks Magazine. To enter the contest, visit ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine/2017-Wild-About-Kansas-Photo-Contest.

Photos must fall within one of the following categories:

• Wildlife (game and nongame animals, primarily mammals, migratory birds, furbearers, etc.)
• Outdoor Recreation (people participating in recreational activities outdoors,nothunting or fishing)
• Landscapes (scenery; wildlife may be present, but should not be the sole focus of the image)
• Other Species (insects, reptiles, and amphibians)
• Hunting and Fishing (hunters and anglers; Photos with dead game will be accepted, however, “action” shots, or photos taken during the activity will be given preference)

Each photo will be judged on creativity, composition, subject matter, lighting and overall sharpness.

All photos must be submitted electronically. Photos that do not meet the minimum file size requirements (1 MB) will NOT be accepted.

For more information and to enter the contest, visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Publications” from the menu on the left, then “2017 Wild About Kansas Photo Contest.”

KHS

TOPEKA—Graduate students planning to research collections at the Kansas Historical Society in Topeka can apply for a $1,000 travel stipend. The deadline for the Alfred M. Landon Historical Research Grant is April 15, 2017.

Funds for this program are provided by an endowment established in 1987 by family and friends in memory of Governor Landon and in appreciation of his distinguished service to Kansas and the nation. More information and an application are available online at kshs.org/11382.

Non-academic researchers planning to use the Kansas Historical Society collections in Topeka can apply for a $500 travel stipend. The deadline for the Edward N. Tihen Historical Research Grant is also April 15, 2017.

Funds for the grant are provided by the Tihen Endowment, established in 1995 by Dr. Tihen’s family and friends in his memory and in appreciation of his role as an amateur historian. More information and an application are available online at kshs.org/15431.

KDA

MANHATTAN ­­— The Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2017 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Funds for the program are awarded to the agency by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The funds are in turn granted to projects and organizations that work to improve the specialty crop industry.

The purpose of the specialty crop program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.” This opportunity supports the KDA’s mission of providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry in Kansas.

The Agricultural Marketing Service reviews each application. Approved states receive an estimated base amount plus an amount based on the average of the most recent available value of specialty crop cash receipts and the acreage of specialty crop production in the state. In 2016, Kansas received $283,492.76 for the grant program. In 2017 it is expected that Kansas will receive approximately $295,000.00.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program applications will be evaluated by a team of external reviewers. The team will rate proposals on their ability to successfully promote specialty crops in Kansas and make a positive impact on the Kansas economy. Those recommendations will be submitted to the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, who will make the final awards.

Applications are due to KDA no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 12, 2017. For more information, please download the 2017 application from the website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/specialtycrop.