Public Visitation

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis and remains vigilant in implementing appropriate safety protocols to ensure public use areas remain safe and open to the public.

 

In counties with local Stay At Home mandates, KDWPT will work with local officials regarding any other restrictions. State parks, state fishing lakes and wildlife areas remain open.

 

License Fees

KDWPT is not currently considering waiving fishing license fees. KDWPT is funded solely from the sale of licenses and permits, and that funding is crucial to keeping gates and facilities open and law enforcement in place.

 

“During this time of unprecedented changes, there is value in those things that can stay consistent,” said Secretary Brad Loveless. “We’re committed to keeping Kansas’ state parks, state fishing lakes and wildlife areas open so that Kansans can continue to safely enjoy the outdoors. To achieve this, we must keep game wardens, public land managers, and park staff working in the field.”

 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic currently impacting all states, including Kansas, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Agriculture strongly encourage all land owners and managers to voluntarily reduce the number of acres that they intend to burn this spring.

“With the potential for this pandemic overwhelming the state’s medical facilities, any additional respiratory concerns that could be produced from breathing smoke from prescribed fire need to be mitigated,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said.

Common health problems related to smoke can include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory issues, including COVID-19, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and the elderly may experience worse symptoms.

With resources of the county emergency response staff already being taxed with COVID-19 response, it is important to minimize responses that would come with prescribed fire activity.

It is critical that land managers in areas included in the Smoke Model available online at ksfire.org consult the model if they do choose to burn. The model indicates the level at which a burn would contribute to urban area air quality problems. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam urges land managers to refrain from burning, especially if your area is predicted in the large (red) contribution range.

“Prescribed burning is a valuable land management tool in the efforts to fight invasive species and maximize land productivity, and this request should not be interpreted as an indictment of the practice of burning,” Beam said. “However, the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic have created a situation that calls for reducing burned acres this spring.”

For the latest information related to COVID-19, and to sign up for daily updates sent to your email inbox, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s COVID-19 Resource Center at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.

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Governor Laura Kelly appointed Jodi Guetterman, Kevin Dieckmann and reappointed Kamyar Nikoomanesh to the Kansas Agricultural Remediation Board.

 

The Board administers the Kansas Agricultural Remediation Fund and the remediation reimbursement program.

 

“Remediation is an important tool for production agriculture, public health, and environmental stewardship,” Kelly said. “The Board serves the important purpose of reimbursing Kansas farmers for these expenses, and I know that these appointees will work diligently to do so.”

 

Guetterman, Bucyrus, has been appointed to the seat reserved for agricultural producers.

 

Dieckmann, Olathe, has been appointed to the specialty chemical distributor seat.

 

Nikoomanesh, Lenexa, has been reappointed to the seat reserved for agricultural processors, and was also appointed as Chair of the board.

For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/25/20 at 11 a.m.

Total Positive Cases
126

Private Labs
77
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab (KHEL)
49

Deaths (included in above numbers)
3

Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases*
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2

Total Negative Cases for Kansans
2,360

Positive Case Information
County Number

Bourbon
1
Linn
2
Butler
3
Lyon
2
Cherokee
2
Mitchell
2
Crawford
1
Morris
2
Doniphan
1
Neosho
1
Douglas
10
Pottawatomie
1
Franklin
1
Reno
2
Jackson
1
Sedgwick
11
Johnson
44
Woodson
1
Leavenworth
11
Wyandotte
27
*Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents.

Demographics
Gender

Female
54
Male
72

Age Range
Age range on patients is 7 to 90 years of age, with a median age of 51.

 

 

For landowners wanting to harvest hay on Kansas highway right of way, the Kansas Department of Transportation announced that the deadline for permits to be issued will be extended to May 1. The extension is necessary because KDOT staff will not be in the office to accept applications until early April to follow Gov. Laura Kelly’s directive to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

 

Those with land adjacent to the right of way will be given permit priority from Jan. 1 until May 1. After May 1, permits to harvest will be issued in the order in which they are received. The permits will expire Sept. 30.

 

Hay harvesting on right-of-way along state and federal highways without a permit is illegal and is trespassing, according to KDOT.

 

Permits can be canceled at any time by either party and all operations shall be in accordance with requirements and guidelines set by KDOT. Any person, firm or corporation wanting to mow or bale hay will need to submit a permit application to the KDOT office in their area. No hay harvesting will take place along Interstates, and access to any right of way shall be determined by KDOT.

 

For additional information, contact your local KDOT office listed below; or call the KDOT Bureau of Maintenance in Topeka at (785) 296-3576.

 

Northeast Kansas

Topeka, (785) 296-2291

Horton, (785) 486-2142

Olathe, (913) 942-3100

Bonner Springs, (913) 942-3040

Wamego, (785) 456-2353

North Central Kansas

Salina, (785) 823-3754

Clay Center, (785) 632-3108

Mankato, (785) 378-3166

Marion, (620) 382-3717

Ellsworth, (785) 472-4447

Northwest Kansas

Norton, (785) 877-3315

Phillipsburg, (785) 543-2163

Atwood, (785) 626-3258

Hays, (785) 625-9718

Oakley, (785) 672-3113

Southeast Kansas

Chanute, (620) 902-6400

Iola, (620) 901-6555

Garnett, (785) 433-6100

Independence, (620) 577-7310

Pittsburg, (620) 308-7610

South Central Kansas

Hutchinson, (620) 663-3361

Pratt, (620) 672-7494

El Dorado, (316) 321-3370

Winfield, (620) 705-6389

Great Bend, (620) 793-5408

Wichita, (316) 744-1271

Southwest Kansas

Garden City, (620) 765-7074

Syracuse, (620) 384-7821

Ulysses, (620) 356-1531

Dodge City, (620) 682-7905

 

 

Governor Kelly signs Executive Orders limiting gatherings, providing essential function framework for local communities

 

As she discussed during a press conference Monday, Governor Laura Kelly today issued Executive Order #20-14 limiting mass gatherings in Kansas to 10 persons, which replaced the previous order limiting mass gatherings to 50 persons.

 

The decision was based on updated guidance from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and modeling from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) that projected cases of COVID-19 in Kansas could sharply rise to a range of 300 to 900 by the end of the month.

 

“While none of us wanted to see this Executive Order further limiting the size of gatherings, it is necessary to help slow the spread of the coronavirus within our communities,” Kelly said. “We learn more about this virus every day and we are seeing serious cases in every age group – not just among our seniors. The most effective way we can slow down the spread is to stay home and practice good hygiene techniques.”

 

She also issued Executive Order #20-15, which details the Kansas Essential Functions Framework (KEFF) that counties will be required to use if local officials determine it is necessary to issue stay-at-home orders.

 

Stay-at-home orders require that residents not leave their homes unless they are engaged in activities that are essential to the health and safety of themselves, family members or friends. Essential activities include, but are not limited to, seeking medical attention, purchasing food or filling up gas tanks.

 

KEFF was developed with reference to national critical function guidelines established for pandemic and other disaster response efforts and provides information on how to limit sustained personal interaction while providing for the continuation of essential infrastructure and businesses. If a local authority has issued a stay-home or similar order, businesses or organizations that fit a KEFF exemption for essential functions should contact that local authority.

 

“These actions will ensure as much consistency as possible as local communities make their decisions around these increased protections for residents,” the Governor said.

 

With the vast majority of Kansas counties without a confirmed case as of today, the Governor does not plan to issue a statewide stay-at-home order at this time.

 

“While disruptive and unpleasant, all of the orders I have issued to date are absolutely necessary to keep Kansans safe and healthy and to prevent overwhelming our emergency rooms and our larger health care system,” Kelly said. “We’ve all got to do our part and work together to protect our families and our communities.”

 

Please find the Executive Orders attached. Questions regarding local orders should be directed to the respective local officials.

 

To subscribe to daily COVID-19 updates from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, visit KDHE’s website at kdheks.gov/coronavirus.

 

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WIC Physical presence requirement waived effective Monday, March 23

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas WIC program will continue to operate. WIC is the nutrition program for low-income pregnant women, infants, and children from birth to age five, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

 

All current Kansas WIC participants will continue to receive benefits, and new applicants will be assessed, certified and issued benefits. Using telephone, computer and other technology, local clinic staff will be able to assess and certify applicants for eligibility and issue food benefits remotely to those determined eligible.

 

Typically, WIC participants and applicants of the program must be physically present to receive services. The USDA physical presence waiver is effective Monday, March 23 and expires May 31, 2020, or until extended. The waiver applies to areas impacted by WIC clinic closures and stay at home orders as well as to persons who are under quarantine, whether voluntary or involuntary.

 

Clinic operating hours and staff availability will be subject to local and state orders related to the pandemic. Applicants and current participants should contact their local WIC clinic to find out what options are available. Clinic locations are available online at: www.kansaswic.org/families/WIC_county_map.html. Contact your local health department for information on the nearest WIC clinic if you do not have access to the Internet.

 

More information about Kansas WIC

 

The Kansas WIC program provides services to an average of 47,000 program participants each month. The program is administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment through contracts with county health departments and three community health centers. There are 120 WIC clinics in Kansas where potentially eligible participants may apply for services. There are 359 stores in Kansas authorized to provide WIC foods to clients.

 

WIC services include providing supplemental food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services. Currently, each woman and child receive healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables with a retail value of about $37 per month and about $41 per month respectively. Infants who are not breastfed and receive infant formula receive infant formula with a retail value of approximately $152 per month.

 

Food benefits are purchased at approved grocery stores using an e-WIC card. The physical presence waiver allows eWIC cards and program information to be issued to participants through a controlled physical pick up, such as a curbside pick-up process or cards and information may be mailed directly to participants. Local clinics will determine the most appropriate way to issue materials based on staffing and logistical resources.

 

Information about the Kansas WIC program is located online at www.kansaswic.org.