Commission authorizes KNRC to join two federal ESA cases; one commissioner abstains

The board voted separately to authorize the Kansas Natural Resource Coalition (KNRC) to participate in two separate federal cases defending recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule changes under the Endangered Species Act.

Tracy Barton, executive director of KNRC, explained by phone that the two ballots are distinct because each addresses separate federal regulations. Barton said Pacific Legal Foundation has offered to represent KNRC and its member counties at no cost and argued that county participation would allow local impacts and property rights concerns to be represented in court. "A yes vote simply authorizes KNRC to participate in that particular case and to represent the interests of our counties, land owners, agriculture and local economies," Barton said.

Commissioners voted first on authorizing participation in litigation over the ESA definition of harm; the motion passed with four votes in favor and one abstention. The board then approved KNRC participation defending the repeal of the blanket Section 4(d) rule, again 4-0 with one abstention. One commissioner said they were abstaining because the issue presented complex pros and cons and they did not feel they had sufficient information to vote yes or no.