The Kansas Natural Resource Coalition (KNRC) as an instrumentality of its member county governments, engages state and federal agencies during environmental and natural resource administrative rule-making processes and other actions.
Our members understand the limited role of executive branch agencies, the legal parity enjoyed by local government, and that state and federal procedural mandates require balancing of economic, social, cultural, and property interests when developing and implementing natural resource policies.
When executive branch agencies propose regulatory actions for our region we investigate the statutory basis for the proposals, a process we call “Show Us The Law.” Because many agencies believe they have the authority to enact administrative law, we do not accept regulations, policies or memoranda as binding without clear statutory authority. Similarly, because courts interpret, but cannot make law, KNRC does not accept opinions, decisions, or definitions of by courts as sufficient by themselves to justify administrative proposals. we hold that the legislative branch of government is the sole organic source of lawmaking.
KNRC is comprised of elected commissioners from individual member counties, an executive director, a research analyst, a communications analyst and retained professional and legal staff on an as-needed basis.
Day-to-day operations are overseen by a steering committee that in turn reports to a policy committee governed by all member counties.
This maintains local voice, assures mutual access to data and science, provides a platform for genuine transparency, and ensures balanced decision-making for both the human and natural environments.
Navigating the maze of state and federal environmental actions is daunting for even the most involved local governments — let alone the balance of America’s 3,000-plus counties.
KNRC’s deep research, clear understanding of administrative procedure, strict adherence to statutory requirements and tactical application of government-to-government relationships brings clarity to the process and accountability for agencies who dismissively bypass the prerogatives and authority of local government.
Our philosophy, strategic plan, and long-term objectives include equipping local governments and and exhibiting their hard-won successes to others across the nation. History teaches that centralized, top-down autocratic government won’t work long term. Success requires reverting to local control.
Only local government can leverage accountability from administrative agencies during natural resource policy actions. Neither industry nor business associations, nor nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have the authority to do so.