UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, April 13, 1993
7
Researchers discuss theory about future of Great Plains
By James J. Reece Kansan staff writer
The future of parts of Kansas and nine other Great Plains states lies in a theory called the Buffalo Commons, a husband-and-wife research team told an audience of 175 last night at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union.
The theory would propose to convert a quarter of the Great Plains to wild life refuge as the region continues its trend of depopulation, said Frank Popper, professor of urban development at Rutgers University, and his wife, Deborah, a visiting scholar of geology also at Rutgers.
Frank Popper was the Great Plains was roughly a ninth of contiguous U.S. land space but that in the 1900 census it had 6 million residents — about the same as Georgia. He said the region had long depended on federal money to fund schools, housing and other services. Act of 1862, after the Dust Bowl in the 1930s and most recently during the late 1980s savings and loan bailouts.
The latest economic bust in the plains, the Poppers said, showed that the cycle of boom and bust made it clear that farming was not meant for the area, especially because of declining underground water levels. Instead, they predicted a natural depopulation of the area, a switch from farming to ranching of native buffalo and the possibility of 110
least-populated counties being converted to the Buffalo Commons.
Frank Popper pointed out signs that his theory was occurring naturally. The population is dropping drastically, he said, and American-Indian communities and former cattle ranchers are starting to raise buffalo because the animals are more adaptive to the region. Also, landowners are leasing land to hunters, an arrangement he called a form of commons.
She said it would be an ecological and wildlife refuge using federal money to promote the preservation of ecosystems instead of spending money on farming.
Jay Anle, Baytown, Texas, graduate student in environmental history, said he thought the Poppers' theory was interesting, but he had found a few holes in their delivery.
"In trying to convert a quarter of the Great Plains into Buffalo Commons, there are some large details that have to be addressed," Antle said.
Deborah Popper said the Buffalo Commons was meant to be a large, single entity promoting the esthetic value of the land.
He said those included the role of the federal government and the source of water for buffalo and urban regions, considering the decrease of underground water levels.
Commissioners prepare for terms
Three members plan few changes
By Todd Seifert
Kansan staff writer
Don't expect the Lawrence City Commission's philosophy of decision making to change dramatically despite having three new members, sad Mike Wilden, city manager.
Jolene Andersen
"We'll just have to wait and see what happens," he said. "I don't think they'll turn the apple cart over in one meeting. We'll have to see how they deal with issues as they come about."
The three new commissioners, Jolene Andersen, an office manager for Ron Turner's American Family Insurance Co., Dong Compton, owner of Compton Rentals, and Bob Moody, president of the North Lawrence Improvement Association, will be sworn into office at the commission's weekly meeting tonight.
Andersen finished first and Moody second in the April 6 general election. Each won four-year terms. Compton won a two-year term by finishing third in the balloting.
Doug Compton
Moody said he
did not think the commission's philosophy would change drastically because of having three new commissioners.
"I look at changes in the city commissioners as a continual fine-honing," he said. "This is going to be a commission that gets along well and studies the issues. I think we're all looking to do the best job we can for the people of Lawrence. It's going to take a while for the group to jell, though."
Moody said the commissioners-elect had started to get acquainted with their new responsibilities and with each other at an orientation session with Mayor Bob Schulze, Vice Mayor John Nabalbandian and the city's staff Thursday morning.
Andersen said the session helped her prepare for the tasks she would
have to perform.
have to perceive
"I understand
that the last
commission had
no orientation
session," she
said. "If I had to
do that, I would
have been
blown away. I
was really
pleased with the
information that
Bob Moody
I received from that meeting.
Andersen said the commissioners-elect received instructions on the commission's procedures, tonight's meeting agenda and a 3-inch-thick orientation book that contained information about the city budget and community responsibilities for commissioners.
Compton said he also thought the information was helpful but nothing new to him.
"I tried to stay involved and stay informed about what was going on during the campaign," he said. "It was nice to find out exactly how everything works, though. Unless you've been a commissioner before I don't think you'd know what to expect.
"Maybe the surprising stuff is yet to come."
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS GRADUATES 1993
All participants, including faculty, doctorate, law, master's and bachelor's candidates, wear traditional regalia during the commencement ceremonies.
Commencement is Sunday, May 16, 1993. Early ordering of commencement regalia saves you money now and avoids inconvenience later. Plus when you order on campus you are assured to receive official, matching regalia sanctioned by the University of Kansas through KU Concessions.
Candidates and faculty members may obtain caps, gowns and hoods at Gates 22-23, North End, Memorial Stadium, from 10AM to 3PM, April 5th through 23rd. To ensure proper fit and availability of regalia, participants are asked to visit the order center IN PERSON.
Out of town participants unable to visit the campus order center may reserve regalia by following the instructions in the graduation mailing.
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