Introducing the Kansas Ecological Review Tool - Connecting Kansas Counties Presentation

Presented by: Zack Cordes, Ecologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Ecological Services Division (ESD) is responsible for providing statutorily required ecological reviews of proposed development projects in accordance with the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. Strategies used for ecological reviews are to address ecological concerns during the earliest stages of project planning by using the latest technology and scientific information in developing sound ecological recommendations. Actions that require a review are any that involve public funds, government assistance, require another state or federal permit, or potentially affect a current listed species or its critical habitat. To date, project information has been submitted to KDWP Ecological Services Division and results from the ecological review were provided within 30 days.
KDWP ESD has collaborated with NatureServe to develop an online Kansas Ecological Review Tool (ERT). The ERT will allow project managers to submit project details electronically and receive their review generally within 15 minutes. Ecological reviews from the ERT will provide clearance and best management practices (BMPs) or inform the project manager the project will require further review by KDWP Ecological Services Division staff. This presentation will discuss the ERT and ecological review process in more detail.