JEC grounds available for outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing.
Westar Energy and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism have extended their partnership that allows public access to the land around Jeffrey Energy Center, 25905 Jeffrey Rd., St. Marys, for hunting and fishing. They will celebrate the 20-year agreement Saturday, May 30, with a fishing derby at the energy center for all kids 12 or younger.
“We have 10,000 beautiful acres available for outdoor recreation, and we love it when our neighbors put them to use,” said Doug Mericle, executive director, Jeffrey Energy Center.
Festivities Saturday will begin at 9 a.m. with the fishing derby for kids 12 or younger, at 10 a.m. a welcome ceremony will include fishing derby prizes, presentation of the 2015 Youth Turkey Hunt results, comments from KDWPT Secretary Robin Jennison and a ribbon cutting with the St. Marys Chamber. The event will conclude after a 10:30 a.m. tour of the JEC constructed wetlands, which earned one of the electric utility industries highest honors for innovation.
Since 1990, KDWPT and Westar have worked together to make the land around JEC available for outdoor recreation. In January, a 20-year extension agreement was signed.
Outdoor recreational features at the plant include (full details):
- 1,400 acres of public hunting and fishing land.
- 5,200 acres of hunting and fishing with a written permit available by contacting Westar Energy.
- 20 acres dedicated to environmental education and walking trails along the historic Oregon Trail.
- 3,500 acres of wildlife refuge that is closed to the public.