Natural and Cultural Heritage Task Force seeks public feedback

The public has a chance to comment on a report that will help Douglas County Commissioners decide how to allocate money toward open space and historic preservation.

The Natural and Cultural Heritage Task Force will host a public hearing 7 p.m. Thursday at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass. The committee will gather feedback on its recommendations of how to spend the $350,000 the Douglas County Commission approved for conserving natural and cultural resources.

In its preliminary report, the task force recommended the money be divided as follows:

• 55 percent on one or two major projects.

• 30 percent on a series of smaller target projects.

• 10 percent on a countywide inventory that will map and describe places of historical and natural significance.

• 5 percent on administrative costs.

The report can be found online at heritageconservationdouglascounty.org. And residents can submit written comments on the plan until Feb. 16. Comments can be submitted through the site above or mailed to Collin Bielser at 1100 Mass., Level 2, Lawrence, KS, 66044.