75-5673. Atmospheric mercury deposition monitoring network; dissemination of data and analysis reports; annual report to legislature. (a) The secretary of health and environment shall establish a statewide atmospheric mercury deposition monitoring network to measure mercury deposition in Kansas. The network shall consist of no fewer than six sites in Kansas. At least two such sites shall be located to measure mercury deposition entering the state from the direction of prevailing winds. Mercury deposition samples shall be collected at each site on a weekly basis and concentration, precipitation and other pertinent values shall be recorded.

(b) The secretary of health and environment shall contract with a laboratory that has demonstrated capability to perform appropriate analysis of the samples collected and to provide reports in a form acceptable to the secretary. After analysis, data and analysis reports, including data on long term trends, shall be provided to the public through a website. Data also will be posted to a national database designated by the secretary.

(c) The secretary of health and environment shall ensure that data collected from the network and analyses of those data are made available specifically to Kansas-based research institutes and scientists for exploration of the impact of mercury on Kansas flora, fauna and human population.

(d) On or before the first day of the regular legislative session in 2009 and each year thereafter, the secretary of health and environment shall prepare and submit to the governor and the chairperson, vice-chairperson and ranking minority member of each standing committee of the house and of the senate having subject matter jurisdiction over utilities, environment or natural resources, a report summarizing the findings of the monitoring and analysis provided for by this section.

History: L. 2007, ch. 137, § 1; Apr. 26.