32-960a. Nongame and endangered species conservation act; recovery plans; local advisory committees, duties. (a) The secretary of wildlife and parks shall adopt, in accordance with K.S.A. 32-805, and amendments thereto, rules and regulations establishing procedures for developing and implementing recovery plans for all species listed as in need of conservation, threatened or endangered. The secretary shall give priority to development of recovery plans for particular species based on a cumulative assessment of the scientific evidence available. Based on the priority ranking, the secretary shall develop and begin implementation of recovery plans for at least two listed species on or before January 1, 1999.

(b) Whenever a species is added to the list of threatened or endangered species, the secretary shall establish a volunteer local advisory committee composed of members broadly representative of the area affected by the addition of the species to the list. Members shall include representatives of specialists from academic institutions, agribusiness and other trade organizations, state environmental and conservation organizations and other interested organizations and individuals. In addition, the membership shall include, if appropriate, landowners and public officials representing state, local and tribal governments. To the maximum extent possible, committee membership shall evenly balance the interests of all potentially affected groups and institutions.

(c) The advisory committee shall:

(1) Work with the secretary to adapt the listing of the species and the recovery plan for the species to the social and economic conditions of the affected area; and

(2) disseminate information to the public about the scientific basis of the decision to list the species, the regulatory process and incentives available to landowners pursuant to this act.

(d) If a species in need of conservation receives a priority ranking to develop and begin implementation of a recovery plan, the secretary shall establish a volunteer local advisory committee in the same manner as provided by subsection (b) to work with the secretary to adapt the recovery plan and disseminate information to the public.

(e) In implementing a recovery plan for a species, the secretary shall consider any data, recommendations and information provided by the advisory committee.

(f) The secretary shall cause each developed and implemented recovery plan to be published and maintained on the official website of the department of wildlife and parks.

History: L. 1997, ch. 113, § 3; L. 2016, ch. 99, § 1; L. 2023, ch. 7, § 57; July 1.