The state biological survey is hereby authorized and empowered to:
- (a) Adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 77-415 et seq. for the selection, acquisition, management, protection and use of natural and scientific areas and preserves; for the registration of natural and scientific areas and preserves; for the dedication of natural and scientific areas and preserves within the state system;
- (b) develop a natural and scientific areas preservation policy for the state;
- (c) develop a comprehensive long-range plan for the preservation, control and management of the natural and scientific areas of the state;
- (d) seek and approve the dedication of natural and scientific areas to be included in the state system;
- (e) maintain a registry of natural and scientific areas, an inventory of natural ecosystems; an inventory of habitats of rare and endangered species of plants and animals; significant geological and archeological sites; and other natural and scientific areas and preserves;
- (f) conduct research, investigations, and interpretive programs and publish and disseminate information and recommendations pertaining to natural and scientific preserves and other natural and scientific areas;
- (g) employ or contract for consultants and fix their compensations, who shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act;
- (h) submit to the governor and the legislature annually its recommendations for new or amendatory legislation and funding for the preservation of the state's natural and scientific areas; and submit to the secretary of state in even numbered years a report of its activities for inclusion in the biennial report in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-3044 et seq.
L. 1974, ch. 322, § 7; L. 1985, ch. 259, § 4; July 1.