Topeka ? A state task force formed to study ways to reconcile often-conflicting environmental and economic development issues has proposed that the Kansas Water Authority be expanded to take a broader approach to natural resources matters.

“We are raising awareness about the importance of natural resources for us and our children and grandchildren,” said Sheila Frahm of Colby, who is chairwoman of the Kansas Natural Resources Legacy Alliance.

“We want to raise awareness in people’s minds what they take for granted,” said Frahm, a former Kansas lieutenant governor and U.S. senator.

The alliance was established last year and has staged a series of public hearings across the state to gather public input on what Kansas needed to balance economic development, environmental protection, habitat preservation and the need for more outdoor recreation opportunities.

The group will deliver its final report to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and the Legislature in December.

So far, the alliance has put together a list of 10 issues and general recommendations.

But it also is considering a specific recommendation that would expand the scope of the Kansas Water Authority, the principal state agency on water issues.

The alliance is considering a proposal to make the Water Authority the primary agency dealing with all natural resource issues, and to add various special interests to its membership.

“Slight modification to the membership of the Kansas Water Authority would help to further ensure that all natural resource related matters are represented and management efforts are coordinated,” the measure states.

The current Water Authority is made up of 13 voting members and 10 nonvoting members consisting of state agency officials.

The proposed change would increase the Water Authority to 18 voting members and 12 more nonvoting members.

Of the new voting members, there would be one representative each from lists submitted by the Kansas Association of Counties; Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and League of Kansas Municipalities.

There also would be a member to represent outdoor recreation interests, and one more member from the general public.

The two new nonvoting members would represent the Kansas Forest Service and Kansas Biological Survey.