KDWPT

PRATT–The Outdoor Writers of Kansas (OWK) organization recently donated $1,000 to help purchase hunting and fishing licenses for Kansas disabled military veterans. OWK challenges all organizations to match or beat their donation.

Each fiscal year, the Kansas Legislature appropriates funding to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) to provide hunting and fishing licenses for Kansas military veterans with service-related disabilities of 30 percent or more. Initially the funding was adequate, but as the number of veteran license applications has increased, the funding has run out before the end of the fiscal year. When that happens, KDWPT uses donations to pay for licenses. Currently, there are several hundred unfilled veteran license applications awaiting funding.

Anyone can donate, and hunters and anglers who purchase licenses online can check a donation box. Any individual or organization interested in helping can mail a donation made out to WildTrust, specifying the Disabled Veterans License account. Checks can be mailed to KDWPT, c/o WildTrust, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124. Visit www.ksoutdoors.com/License-Permits-Veteran-Hunting-and-Fishing-Licenses for more information.

OWK is a nonprofit professional organization made up of members dedicated to communicating about Kansas’ hunting, fishing, and other outdoor and wildlife-related recreation. Members meet twice a year and raise money to send youngsters to the Kansas Wildlife Federation’s Outdoor Adventure Camp, purchase equipment for the KDWPT Pass It On youth program, the Steve Harper OWK/Kansas Wildscape scholarship, as well as other outdoor programs.

TOPEKA–Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has signed the following bills into law.

Friday, May 6, 2016:
House Bill 2610: Names certain highways and interchanges.

Monday, May 9, 2016:
Senate Substitute for House Bill 2088: Accelerates effective date for implementation of the property tax lid.

House Substitute for Senate Bill 44: Amends the Commercial Real Estate Act to clarify language allowing brokers to have liens on real estate.

Senate Bill 19: Modernizes the Kansas Administrative Procedure Act and Kansas Judicial Review Act to allow for electronic filing.

Senate Bill 227: Enacts the Contaminated Property Redevelopment Act to better allow for the development of property previously subject to environmental contamination.

Senate Bill 326: Increases production limits for microbreweries.

House Substitute for Senate Bill 337: Strengthens reporting requirements for annual water use.

Senate Bill 407: Revives statute concerning conditional release of certain criminal offenders.

Substitute for House Bill 2062: Modernizes the Uniform Commercial Code concerning the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.

House Bill 2163: Allows county commissioners and municipalities to perform fire district audits.

Senate Substitute for House Bill 2285: Reconciles amendments for statutes pertaining to the Department of Labor.

Substitute for House Bill 2289: Amends the administrative hearing process for drivers’ license restrictions or suspensions.

The Governor has now signed 71 bills into law this session and vetoed two. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign the bill into law, veto the bill or allow the bill to become law without his or her signature.

Office of Gov. Brownback

TOPEKA – Kansas Governor Sam Brownback today signed the following 13 bills into law.

• Senate Substitute for House Bill 2008: Enacts the Student Online Personal Protection Act to protect student privacy.
• House Bill 2164: Increases the threshold at which sewer districts have to request a competitive bid for services.
• House Bill 2436: Changes requirements for boater safety education certifications.
• House Bill 2480: Modernizes the livestock branding laws.
• House Bill 2558: Prohibits cities and counties from regulating or restricting certain campaign activities.
• House Bill 2563: Amends the definition of salvaged vehicles for purposes of titling travel trailers.
• Senate Bill 390: Updates the Kansas banking code.
• Senate Bill 387: Recognizes the Pooled Investment Management Board as a separate agency within the Treasurer’s Office for budgeting purposes.
• Senate Bill 373: Requires registered owners of vehicles owing more than $100 in unpaid toll road fees to pay those fees before they can renew vehicle registration.
• Senate Bill 318: Abolishes the Kansas Electric Transition Authority and suspends activities by state agencies to comply with the clean power plan currently under litigation.
• Senate Bill 408: Increases reporting requirements for suspected or substantiated abuse of a child or adult and provides the Office of Attorney General to reorganize and reprioritize its Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Unit.
• Senate Bill 321: Amends provisions for filing of wills under protective status.
• Senate Bill 319: Updates processes on appeals to vacate convictions. Changes the definition of harassment to include any course of conduct carried out through the use of a drone. Enacts the Public Speech Protection Act to help better defend the exercise of free speech rights from frivolous law suits.

The Governor has now signed 59 bills into law this session and vetoed two. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign the bill into law, veto the bill or allow the bill to become law without his or her signature.

KDWPT

PRATT–On Saturday, May 7, 2016, America’s State Parks will launch the LET’S CAMP AMERICA! initiative, designed to promote camping in state parks across the U.S. LET’S CAMP AMERICA! showcases the vitality and wide array of healthy activities available to campers with hopes of engaging new audiences including youth, millennials, diverse communities and urban citizens.

LET’S CAMP AMERICA! invites first-time campers and outdoor enthusiasts to revel in the limitless outdoor recreation activities available in state parks. For all, camping in state parks is available close to home, affordable, accessible and accommodating. For many, LET’S CAMP AMERICA! may be a rededication to their love of the outdoors. For others, LET’S CAMP AMERICA! could be an all-inclusive invitation to experience and then dedicate personal and family time to camping in the outdoors.

On May 7 and September 24, 2016, LET’S CAMP AMERICA! will host activities and programs across many state park systems to help you create special outdoor moments.

In Kansas, you’ll find 26 state parks, featuring 10,000 campsites; more than 100 rental cabins; 500 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails; access to water for boating and fishing; and the beauty of nature. Find your big fish story, paddle, hike, watch the sunrise, make s’mores and count stars. There are endless experiences waiting for you whether at a campsite, in a cabin or in your RV.

Go to www.ksoutdoors.com and click on “State Parks” for more information about events at Kansas state parks during this special event. You can reserve a cabin or a campsite, and you can download maps and brochures featuring the state parks of your choice.

For more information about LET’S CAMP AMERICA!, go to www.naspd.org.

KDA

MANHATTAN–The month of May has been declared Kansas Beef Month, according to a proclamation signed by Governor Sam Brownback.

Kansas is home to some of the highest quality cattle in the United States, and the state’s ranches and feedyards play a key role in the state’s agricultural success.

The Kansas beef industry is vital to the Kansas economy, generating over $9 billion annually. Kansas is home to 6.25 million cattle as of Jan. 1, 2016, which is more than twice the human population of 2.9 million. Kansas also ranks third nationally in the value of beef and veal exported, at $787.7 million in 2014. The industry also supports more than 48,400 jobs in Kansas.

“We are very proud of our beef heritage. Kansas is one of the most important beef states in the country, and is known across the globe for the high quality of its beef,” said Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey. “The beef industry is a critical and significant part of the Kansas economy, and impacts all local communities as you’ll find beef cattle in every single county in the state. It’s also important for consumers to remember that beef is a very important part of a heart-healthy and nutritious diet. We encourage all Kansans to join us in celebrating Beef Month.”

Beef fits into healthy lifestyles as a rich source of nutrients, especially protein. A 3-oz. serving of lean beef has less than 10 grams of fat, 150 calories and less than 95 mg. of cholesterol, while providing nearly half of the daily value for protein.

Kansas has historically been a leader in beef production, and remains at the heart of the U.S. beef industry. Warm up your grill this May and celebrate Kansas Beef Month.

WICHITA–“In an election cycle where both Republican and Democrat voters are demonstrating their outrage with establishment politics, the Libertarian Party of Kansas sees opportunity,” said state LPKS chairman Rob Hodgkinson in a news release Tuesday.

“For the last decade, the Libertarian Party of Kansas has been the fastest growing political party in Kansas and they expect that trend to not only continue but accelerate as voters look for a better option to the candidates that are being offered by both major parties.

“At this time, it seems likely that the establishment parties will offer two candidates viewed as unfavorable by most voters nationwide. If that happens, the Libertarian Party of Kansas believes that people will be actively looking for a better third option. The Libertarian Candidate for President will likely be the only non-establishment candidate to appear on the general election ballot in all 50 states.

“Excitement within the Libertarian Party is running high after they witnessed the historic first-ever nationally televised Libertarian Primary Debate on the Fox Business Channel in April. That debate featured the party’s three leading candidate for their nomination: Governor Gary Johnson, Austin Peterson, and John McAfee.”

Libertarian delegates will choose their party’s presidential candidate at their National Convention the last week of May in Orlando, Florida.

The Libertarian Party of Kansas will hold their state convention this weekend in Salina. Saturday, April 30, will be filled with party business, nomination of party leadership, and nomination of party candidates for state offices. Featured speakers at the convention will be political commentator Julie Borowski and Mark Rutherford, a candidate for chairman of the Libertarian National Committee.

The convention is open to the public, but only registered Libertarians can vote on party business.

Convention details are available on the LPKS.org website.

For more information contact Rob Hodgkinson, state LPKS chairman, at [email protected] or (913) 980-9269.

KDWPT

TOPEKA–Macey Hensley, Council Grove, is being featured in a statewide television ad campaign from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT).

The popular six-year old is shown visiting Exploration Place in Wichita and the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Childhood Home in Abilene. The commercials encourage family travel in Kansas and will run in the Kansas City, Pittsburg, Topeka and Wichita markets April 25 through May.

Last year Hensley was tagged as one of Kansas’ Finest by Kansas! Magazine.

She has appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show seven times where she won the hearts of millions of viewers by demonstrating her in-depth knowledge of U.S. presidents from Washington to Obama. She will soon be visiting the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. D.C. courtesy of DeGeneres and is scheduled to appear on the show again on April 29, 2016.

Watch below to see Macey visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Childhood Home in Abilene.

The commercials and a short video of Macey visiting the Statehouse can be found at https://www.youtube.com/user/TravelKS/Macey.  To plan your family travel visit TravelKS.com.

Television commercials are among a variety of print, media and digital tools the Division of Tourism uses to promote Kansas travel across the nation and overseas.

KAG

TOPEKA–To honor the Patriot Guard and their commitment to fallen heroes, the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas National Guard, will dedicate the nose art on a KC-135R Stratotanker at the Topeka Combat Air Museum, 7016 SE Forbes Avenue, Forbes Field, Saturday, April 30. The dedication ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m.

The mission of the Patriot Guard is to stand guard at funeral services of America’s fallen heroes who are killed in action, are casualties of the current war on terrorism or who are killed in any war zone. Their support is also offered to any law enforcement and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.

The Patriot Guard began as a discussion between Terry Houck and his wife, Carol. Terry, a Vietnam veteran, approached the members of the American Legion Riders Post 136 and the Patriot Guard was established July 24, 2005, in Mulvane, Kansas.

The Patriot Guard Nose Art was conceptualized by Master Sgt. Chris Dubois who worked with the Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders Post 136 for input on the design.

Senior Airman Skylar Caldwell designed and painted the nose art with guidance from Senior Master Sgt. Mike Chandler.

The aircraft is maintained by Dubois, Senior Airman Aaron Cuadra, Staff Sgt. Justin Little and Airman 1st Class Connor Remboldt, 190th ARW crew chiefs.

The dedication ceremony will be held concurrently with the 23rd annual Celebrity Pancake Feed benefiting the Combat Air Museum from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

KDWPT

PRATT – The Kansas Spring Turkey Season opened April 12 and is in full swing through May 31. Reports from the field indicate that birds are plentiful and responding to hunters’ calls. However, the tradition of spring turkey hunting, where the hunter hides in full camouflage while imitating the call of a hen, requires special safety consideration.

Turkey hunting can be excellent on state wildlife areas, as well as the nearly 250,000 acres of private land enrolled in the Spring Walk-In Hunting Access Program. Hunters on public land must always assume other hunters are there, too. Although hunting in Kansas is safer than playing golf, when you consider injuries per 100,000 participants, one tragic hunting-related accident is too many. A few simple precautions can help ensure you or another hunter don’t become a statistic.

First, never wear the colors black, blue or red, the colors prominent on a tom turkey as it displays for a hen. Set up to call with a good view in front and a tree wider than your shoulders at your back. A shoulder-width tree to lean against will protect you if another hunter stalks in from behind. If you see another hunter, whistle or call out; never wave or move, which could draw fire. Always assume a sound you hear is another hunter, and act accordingly. Many hunters will wear a fluorescent orange hat or vest when they walk out after hunting, or if they are successful, they may wrap an orange vest around their bird as they carry it out. Hunting-related accidents during the spring turkey season are rare, but let’s keep it that way.

Another kind of hunter in the woods this time of year is hunting morel mushrooms, and reports from the field indicate that hunters are finding them now. It is legal to pick morels on state and federal public hunting land as long as they are kept for personal consumption. Mushrooms collected on state and federal lands may not be sold commercially. Spring Walk-In Hunting Access land is leased for hunting access only. Morels found incidentally by turkey hunters on WIHA lands may be collected for personal use. Mushroom hunters should assume they will encounter turkey hunters on public lands, but potential conflict can be minimized by hunting mushrooms mid-day. Most turkey hunters prefer to be in the woods at daybreak and are often calling it a day by mid-morning.

KDWPT

WICHITA – The Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will conduct a public meeting in Wichita at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. N, on Thu., April 21, 2016. The afternoon session of the meeting will begin at 1 p.m. and recess at 5 p.m. The evening session will convene at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend both sessions and time is set aside at the beginning of each for discussion of non-agenda items.

The afternoon session will begin with Secretary Robin Jennison’s report on the agency and state fiscal status and a review of the 2016 Kansas legislative session. The General Discussion portion of the meeting will include a Tourism Division update, discussion on park and fishing regulations, and a Law Enforcement program by director Kevin Jones. The afternoon will conclude with a Workshop Session covering regulations concerning guiding on public lands and threatened and endangered species.

The evening portion of the meeting will convene at 6:30 p.m. for the Public Hearing. The commission will hear final discussion before voting on migratory bird hunting regulations.

Time will be available during 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., April 22, to complete any unfinished business. Information about the Commission, as well as the April 21 meeting agenda and Briefing Book, can be downloaded at ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Upcoming-Commission-Meetings.

Live video and audio streaming of the meeting April 21 meeting will be available at 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 Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commission meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2016, in Fort Scott.

KDCF

TOPEKA–Governor Sam Brownback and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt recently spoke to students, parents and staff at Christ the King school, Topeka, about issues of child abuse in the state.

Children planted pinwheels in a flower bed at the school to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month, which the Governor made official with a proclamation signed at the gathering.

“Children are precious, and it’s up to all of us to make sure they are safe, happy and protected,” said Governor Brownback. “Child abuse is preventable, and there is no excuse that justifies turning away from the problem.”

The school, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) teamed up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and to encourage everyone to do their part to prevent abuse of Kansas children.

In Kansas, DCF received 65,631 reports of child abuse and/or neglect in FY 2015, an increase of about 480 over the previous fiscal year. The agency encourages Kansans to be alert for signs of child abuse and to call the Kansas Protection Report Center (1-800-922-5330) if they believe abuse is occurring.

“No child should have to live in fear,” DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore said. “Each of us has the responsibility of reporting suspected abuse or neglect.”

St. Francis Independent Living Program Manager Kellie Henderson also addressed the audience about her personal experiences of abuse. Henderson has been featured in various national forums to call attention to the impact of abuse and how individuals can overcome their experience.

“Neighbors, teachers, coaches, friends, we all need to be on the lookout for signs that point to abuse,” Henderson said. “Don’t be afraid of getting involved. Raising awareness of what to look for is part of the battle, but people need to speak up when they suspect abuse is occurring.”

The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is an effort to change the way our nation thinks about prevention and how we can deliver on our commitment to Kansas children. The pinwheel serves as an uplifting reminder of childhood and the bright futures all children deserve.

“We are continually looking for ways to protect children from abuse,” Attorney General Schmidt told the gathering. “We can connect families to needed resources to prevent a crisis situation. And we are also working to educate families on the very serious consequences of committing abuse.”

Of the reports received by DCF in FY 2015, 56 percent were assigned for further investigation. In FY2015, 3,799 Kansas children were removed from their homes because of abuse and/or neglect, down from 3,805 the year before. Currently, there are 6,636 children in foster care (as of February 2016). Nearly 57 percent of them will likely be reunified with their families.

You can report child abuse/neglect 24/7 by calling the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330.

KDWPT

PRATT – On March 31, 2016, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) its second annual report, detailing achievements of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan (LPRCP). Highlights include the estimated 25 percent increase in the range-wide lesser prairie chicken population to just over 29,000 birds, the nearly $51 million in fees committed by industry partners to pay for mitigation actions, and the more than 67,000 acres of habitat landowners across the range have agreed to conserve.

The range-wide plan is a collaborative effort of WAFWA and the state wildlife agencies of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. It was developed to ensure conservation of the lesser prairie chicken with voluntary cooperation from landowners and industry. This plan allows agriculture producers and industry to continue operations while reducing impacts to the bird and its grassland habitat.

“Conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken is a long-haul proposition,” said Alexa Sandoval, director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and chairman of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative (LCPI) Council. “We’re encouraged that after just two years of implementation, we have so many positive indicators that the range-wide plan is working. We commend all of our partners for their commitment to conservation of this iconic grassland species.”

The plan was endorsed by the USFWS, and as part of the conservation agreement, the states agreed to report progress annually. The findings for 2015 are summarized below.

Lesser Prairie Chicken Population Up

The 2015 range-wide aerial survey documented a 25 percent increase in the lesser prairie chicken population to an estimated total of 29,162 birds. This increase is attributed to an abundance of rainfall in spring 2015, along with ongoing range-wide plan conservation initiatives. Aerial surveys for 2016 are underway and will run through mid-May. Results are anticipated in early July.

Land Conservation Efforts Increasing

Substantial progress was made on private land conservation across the lesser prairie chicken’s range. Eight landowner contracts were finalized, encompassing 67,512 acres. Conservation measures are being implemented range-wide, including habitat restoration on 8,214 of 15,911 prescribed acres. And a total of $1,821,737 was paid to landowners managing their lands to generate credits for lesser prairie chicken conservation. In addition, WAFWA acquired title to a 1,604-acre tract of native rangeland in west Texas, near the Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area last June.

Technology Enhances Conservation Decision Making

Scientists are using the latest technology to designate where and how conservation actions should be implemented for the greatest benefit. The Southern Great Plains Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool enhances the existing Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool (CHAT) program administered by WAFWA. It identifies focal areas and connectivity zones where lesser prairie chicken conservation actions will be emphasized. A project estimator tool unique to CHAT was designed to encourage companies to implement more effective pre-planning development efforts and it worked. These enhancements have resulted in 5,066 instances of access to CHAT, with an average of 145 users per week.

Cooperative Efforts Enhancing Conservation

Working with conservation partners, programs and cooperative efforts are expanding voluntary landowner incentives and practices to benefit the birds. For example, the Natural Resource Conservation Service has incorporated CHAT elements into the ranking criteria for projects being considered under the Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative. Using CHAT, prescribed grazing practices were applied on 179,805 acres through the Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative in 2015. These combined efforts have resulted in nearly 250,000 acres being conserved for the benefit of the lesser prairie chicken.

Mitigation Efforts Positively Impact Development Decisions

One of the major components of the range-wide plan involves working with industry to avoid and minimize impacts of development activities. The WAFWA mitigation framework can be used by any entity. In 2015, there were several industries participating, including oil and gas, pipeline, electric, wind energy and telecommunications. During this past year, 177 companies enrolled in WAFWA conservation agreements. WAFWA collected $11,843,403 in fees in 2015, bringing the program total to $50,800,884, which will offset unavoidable impacts at off-site mitigation locations. In 2015, 409 project agreements were authorized, assessing development costs tied to the quality of habitat being impacted. After two years of implementation, a review of all the projects assessed shows that the mean cost was $11,936 per project, varying by ecoregion. WAFWA has documented that these mitigation costs are positively impacting development decisions and participants are actively selecting areas with low quality habitat.

Listening and Learning Informs All Conservation Decisions

Successful collaborative efforts require vigilance and commitment to considering all input. Through the Lesser Prairie Chicken Advisory Committee, WAFWA has been receptive to input from all stakeholders, including industry, non-governmental organizations, state and federal agencies, landowners and the general public. The LPCI Council has developed an adaptive management framework incorporating monitoring and new information to make adjustments as needed, maximizing conservation benefits to the lesser prairie-chicken.

Full details are available in the WAFWA annual report at www.wafwa.org

KDWPT

PRATT ­– When the cluck of a box call or the purr of slate inspires a gobble in the distance, a turkey hunter can’t help but smile. But when a plate of sizzling, fried turkey meat coated in a golden crust hits the dinner table, everyone has a reason to grin. Spring turkey season in Kansas is here and as the action heats up, so can your frying pan, with the help of these simple season reminders.

The 2016 Youth/Disabled spring turkey season is April 1-12, followed by the Archery season April 4-12, and the Regular season April 13-May 31. Youth and disabled hunters may use all legal equipment during the Youth/Disabled season: shotguns using shot size 2-9 and archery equipment, including long, recurve and compound bows and crossbows. Only archery equipment may be used during the Archery season. All legal equipment may be used during the Regular season.

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Hunters who have purchased a spring turkey permit are eligible for one second turkey game tag, valid for Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. The bag limit is one turkey with a visible beard per permit or game tag.

Dogs may not be used during the spring season.

To locate turkey hunting ground near you, consult the 2016 Kansas Spring Turkey Hunting Atlas or visit ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Where-to-Hunt.