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Minutes for SB331 - Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Short Title
Designating Flint Hills trail state park and Little Jerusalem state park as part of the state park system.
Minutes Content for Wed, Jan 31, 2018
Chairperson Kerschen opened the hearing on SB331.
Tamera Lawrence of the Revisor of Statutes Office explained the bill.
Kansas House Majority Leader Don Hineman spoke in support of the bill. His comments were directed to the section of the bill that designates Little Jerusalem Badlands in western Kansas as a state park. He believes making this area a state park will bring it to the attention of both Kansas residents and visitors, inspire all who visit it, and create one more reason for people to explore and enjoy the natural heritage of Kansas.(Attachment 8)
Linda Craghead testified in support of the bill. She spoke to the importance of designating both the Flint Hills Trail and Little Jerusalem Badlands as state parks for their economic and recreational value to the state. (Attachment 9)
Doug Walker testified in support of the bill. His comments were directed to the section that designates the Flint Hills Trail as a state park. Currently the Kanza Rail Trails Conservancy holds the title to the trail. He believes that the state is better able to promote, patrol,and maintain the trail than the Conservancy. (Attachment 10)
Rob Manes spoke in support of the bill. His comments were directed to the section designating Little Jerusalem Badlands as a state park. He believes that once Little Jerusalem Badlands becomes a state park it will become an important Kansas tourist destination where people come to experience and understand one of the state's most beautiful natural places.(Attachment 11)
Written testimony in favor of the bill was submitted by:
Richard Duff- private citizen(Attachment 12)
Calvert Evans- private citizen(Attachment 13)
Raelean Keller-private citizen(Attachment 14)
LeLan Dains- Dirty Kanza Productions(Attachment 15)
Catherine Walberg- private citizen(Attachment 16)
James Cummins- Dirty Kanza Promotions(Attachment 17)
Karl Fundenberger- Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority(Attachment 18)
Chris Armstrong- private citizen(Attachment 19)
Katie Eisenhour- Scott County Community Development(Attachment 20)
Debi Schwerdtfeger- mayor of Council Grove(Attachment 21)
Mike Skidmore- mayor of Ottawa(Attachment 22)
Mark Govea- mayor of Osawatomie(Attachment 23)
David Jones-private citizen(Attachment 24)
Jake Huyett- private citizen(Attachment 25)
Andy Fry-private citizen(Attachment 26)
Written testimony in opposition to the bill was provided by Ryan Flickner with Kansas Farm Bureau.(Attachment 27)
After some discussion Chairperson Kerschen closed the hearing on SB331 and adjourned the meeting.
