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Reno County joins Kansas Natural Resource Coalition; commissioners cite need for county voice in federal land and water issues
Summary
The board voted to join the Kansas Natural Resource Coalition, a county-led group that monitors federal land, water and resource rules; membership is $5,000 annually and supporters said the group helps counties respond to federal actions such as Quivira refuge water coordination and national transmission corridor proposals.
The Reno County Board of County Commissioners approved joining the Kansas Natural Resource Coalition (KNRC), a county-led coalition that monitors federal rulemaking and intervenes in matters affecting land use, natural resources and property rights.
Bob Ryan, a Pawnee County commissioner and KNRC president, and Tracy Barton, KNRC executive director, briefed commissioners on the coalition’s work, including litigation and policy efforts around the lesser prairie chicken listing, federal transmission corridors and coordination over water for the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
Barton said KNRC monitors the federal register and develops policy and comments for member counties; the group currently lists 33 member counties. "One of the things that we like to say is your job as commissioners is to protect the health; US Fish and Wildlife Service, their charge is to protect the wildlife," Barton told the board, adding that coordinated engagement is intended to ensure both human and environmental needs are considered.
Several commissioners said a county-level voice is valuable as federal agencies propose rules and conservation actions. The board approved membership on a voice vote; KNRC’s annual membership fee is $5,000. Commissioners and KNRC staff said membership does not compel a county to take action in every KNRC matter, and that member counties participate in decisions about where KNRC devotes resources.
