CONSERVATION ACTION - August 20, 1996

September 20, 1996 report of news and decisions of the Missouri Conservation Commission
Contact: Shannon Cave or Jim Low, (573) 751-4115;
E-mail: Shannon.Cave@mdc.mo.gov
Available for computer download from BBS, phone: (573) 526-1689

General news

The Conservation Commission met September 20 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, Kansas City. The open meeting began at 10:30 a.m. with all Commissioners present:

John Powell, Rolla, Chairman
Ronald J. Stites, Plattsburg, Vice Chairman
Randy Herzog, St. Joseph, Secretary
Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City, Member

Recently named Director-Designate Jerry M. Conley, who will begin full-time work on transition in early-October, participated in the meeting. Current Director Jerry J. Presley plans to retire at year's end.

The Commission reviewed public comment received about mineral prospecting on Department lands. The next meeting was set for October 21 at Montauk State Park.

Hearings

Representatives Dennis Bonner and Connie J. Cierpiot, 51st and 52nd districts respectively, Mayor Ron Stewart, and Jeffrey Grubb, of Metropolitan Community College, all of Independence, supported Commission acquisition of a tract adjacent to George Owens Park in Jackson County as an urban wild acres area.

Senator Ed Quick, 17th District, Liberty, and Representative Luann Ridgeway, 35th District, Smithville, discussed a potential land acquisition in Clay County.

Daniel E. Terry, Liberty, discussed landowner rights issues related to the Respect Landowners Initiative.

Area Names

The Commission named

  • 2,997 acres bought in January the "Marion Bottoms Conservation Area" (CA). The 17 floodplain tracts involved are located near the town of Marion in Cole County.

  • 9.2 acres recently acquired in St. Louis County the "Wild Cherry Ridge CA."

  • 239 acres near Hardin in Ray County the "Hardin CA."

  • 42 acres on the Missouri River in St. Louis County the "Pelican Island Access." The tract is near Pelican Island Natural Area (NA).

    • Regulations

    The Commission approved procedural changes for issuing any-deer and bonus permits for the 1997-1998 deer hunting seasons. By using capabilities of the point-of-sale (POS) permit system, distributing quota deer hunting permits will be simpler and more streamlined for the hunter.

    Quotas by unit for any-deer and bonus permits will be established in January, and hunters can purchase those permits over-the-counter from a POS vendor when permits go on sale February 1.

    Additional information is available from the Regulations Committee, P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. More details will be published in All Outdoors following this year's firearms deer season, in order to minimize confusion.

    Land Acquisitions

    The Commission acquires land only from willing sellers, based on identified conservation needs and current property value appraisals. Payments in-lieu-of-taxes are made annually to compensate local governments and schools for lost revenues. Approval was given the following acquisitions:

  • purchase 12 acres (containing a spring) in St. Clair County from the U. S. Government and donate them to the Taberville Fire Department as a water supply source for fire protection activities that benefit the department.

  • purchase 20 acres on the Missouri River in Callaway County from the State of Missouri as a new fishing access named "Renz Farm Access."

  • purchase 753 acres in Howard County, most subject to wetland reserve easements, to enhance restoration of the floodplain and wetland habitat along the Missouri River and Salt Creek.

  • purchase 90 acres in Texas County as an addition to Barn Hollow Natural Area.

    • Approval to

  • exchange a road easement across a portion of Blue Springs Creek CA in Crawford County for two tracts totaling 1.6 acres adjacent to the area. This action corrects the owner's name and amends an earlier approval to make the exchange.

  • pursue a joint land exchange with the U. S. Forest Service to consolidate holdings and simplify management for both agencies.

  • exchange a 6-acre portion of Bonanza CA, Caldwell County, for 3 acres adjacent to the CA and a cash payment to enhance and protect the riparian corridor on Log Creek, and create a more reasonable area boundary.

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    URL http://www.mdc.mo.gov/news/action/1996/act0920.html
    Last Revision Date: 9/20/96