To the editor:

He’ll never get one, but the Kansas Legislature owes Wildlife and Parks Secretary Mike Hayden an apology for the shabby obstructionist tactics it uses to deny funds for new public lands and Kaw River access.

Can anything ever overcome the smug ignorance exhibited by so many lawmakers on issues concerning recreation land and increased stream access? Maybe what it will take is for the federal government and our enlightened neighbor states to enact anti-hypocrite laws that specifically target Kansans seeking a spiritual recharge out of state.

Rocky Mountain National Park Rangers could arrest on sight the occupants of any vehicle bearing Kansas tags. Their crime? “Enjoying scenic national park vistas in Colorado while supporting the political suppression of national park development initiatives in beautiful Kansas.” $500 fine.

Deputies in southeast Missouri could jail every Kansan caught visiting the Ozark Scenic Riverways (Current, Jack’s Fork and Eleven Point rivers). Their crime? “Loitering on or near a federally protected Missouri stream after electing U.S. representatives and senators who refuse to submit for congressional approval the half-dozen beautiful Kansas streams registered for Wild & Scenic River inclusion.” $1,000 fine.

Prejudicial measures like these would quickly sensitize our lawmakers to how would-be tourists everywhere perceive our state’s limited opportunities and repressive river trespass laws.

Numbering in the hundreds of thousands, resident sportsmen are a large and legitimate slice of the political pie chart. Every election, they should vote for candidates who have publicly supported, or will support, improving and expanding the state’s outdoor recreation infrastructure.

Joe Hyde,

Lawrence