1. Consolidating Permitting

Kansas does not issue a state permit for any wetland activity so opportunities to consolidate are non-existent. NOTE though, about 15 years ago the state did convene a Task Force to evaluate a “one stop shop” approach to issuance of all or most state permits. To my knowledge, recommendations were never implemented. If there were an opportunity to consolidate permitting, coordination among several state agencies would need to occur because water permitting is scattered throughout at least five agencies in Kansas.

2. Communication before Permitting

The Corps is more involved with pre-application activities than is the state. The 401 coordinator with the regulatory agency, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, attends pre-application meetings as needed, especially for larger projects such as those done by the KS Department of Transportation. Representatives of state and federal agencies meet on a quarterly basis to coordinate 404 and 401 permitting issues and discuss applications. While the Corps has final responsibility for issuing permits, this allows all state environmental agencies (Health and Environment, Wildlife and Parks, Transportation, Conservation Commission, Division of Water Resources) and NRCS, EPA, Corps, and USFWS to voice concerns about projects and stay informed about statewide activities and policy issues/changes. This coordination process has been in effect for at least 15 years and has remained an effective means of identifying concerns among agencies.

A. Under this category, which activities has your state found most useful?

Environmental Protection
Communication among agencies

3. On-line applications.

A. Under this category, which activities has your state found most useful?

There is no system under development or in place to facilitate on line applications.

4. Utilizing Technology.

Kansas does not have a reliable set of electronic wetland maps statewide. The NWI is consulted as appropriate. Sites are probably GPSed by the Corps when site visits are made for delineations but I’m not sure. Kansas is currently using EPA WPDG grants to develop a method to use remote sensing technology to develop watershed based wetland maps that can be used by local implementation groups to target and prioritize efforts to protect and restore wetlands. We are using very accurate GPS technology to do this and expect that as the method is developed, this technology will be adopted into use more widely. LiDAR data have been identified as being of essential importance in this effort.

5. Data management.

State data management is limited to 401 certifications; the Corps is responsible for 404 permit tracking. At the state, a webmapper GIS map depicting location and circumstance of the application, comments from the joint public notice, response and rebuttals from the applicant to the Corps and mitigation plans are included, along with the permit when it is issued. There is no spreadsheet or tracking system in place. This information is not readily available to the public and is not shared or used among agencies, it is entirely inhouse in the regulatory agency.

6. Consistency & Program Management / Evaluating Permit Decisions.

This is mostly addressed in number 2 above, which really presents the only mechanism we have for discussion among agencies regarding permit decisions.

This is mostly addressed in number 2 above, which really presents the only mechanism we have for discussion among agencies regarding permit decisions.

A. Under this category, which activities has your state found most useful?

Environmental Protection

7. Other

8. What are the top three things that the state did to improve permitting?

Kansas does not have a state wetland permit program.

9. For the activities described, are there special considerations and actions states should take to have a successful outcome?

NA

10. Does the state have the ability to quantify/track success of improvements to its permitting program, or is it based on best professional judgment?

No.

11. If you have not included links already, please include any links to relevant documents, webpages that can be shared with other states here:

Section 401 Water Quality Certification

12. Does the state have fees for processing 401 Cert. and/or specific state wetland permitting fees?

No.

Summary prepared by Debra Baker – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it