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Minutes for SB145 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Authorizing the Kansas department of wildlife, parks and tourism to purchase land in Kingman county.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 15, 2021
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on SB 145. Jill Wolters, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Secretary Brad Loveless, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), spoke in support of the bill. The property is currently owned by Duck Unlimited and is adjacent to the Byron Walker Wildlife Area. This has been a collaborative process and they would like to make this public land, which would help ensure the long-term health of our native wildlife and provide further access to hunters and anglers. Secretary Loveless responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 2)
Jeff Hancock, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, testified in favor of the bill. Kansas sits near the bottom of the list in percentage of public lands available when compared to other states. His organization appreciates efforts to appropriately enhance public access to land. This is a small investment that grants current and future generations an increased opportunity to experience the outdoors. (Attachment 3)
Jim Pitman, Ducks Unlimited, stood as a proponent of the bill. Ducks Unlimited bought this property in 2017 at appraised market value and KDWPT will acquire it at appraised market value. This purchase addresses the need for additional habitat to sustain wildlife populations as well as increased public access. (Attachment 4)
Mark Schlegel, Ducks Unlimited, spoke in favor of the bill. This expansion would significantly increase the recreational opportunities in southern Kansas. Over the past year, the average person has spent more time outdoors than ever before but Kansas ranks 49th in the country for public lands so it is clear that the need for additional outdoor recreational opportunities has never been higher. This has been a great example of all parties working together to benefit everyone involved. (Attachment 5)
Kent Keene, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, testified in support of the bill. By providing public access opportunities close to a relatively densely populated area, KDWPT, along with hunting and fishing conservation organizations, will have opportunities to host programs to recruit new hunters and anglers. Access to outdoor areas has become more important over the last year and we should take advantage of this opportunity. (Attachment 6)
Written only testimony in support of the bill was submitted by The Nature Conservancy. (Attachment 7)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on SB 145.
