CONSERVATION ACTION - Oct 21, 1996

General news

The Conservation Commission met October 21 at Montauk State Park near Salem. The open meeting began at 10:15 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

The Commission endorsed passage of Constitutional Amendment 8 on the November 5, 1996 general election ballot. The proposal would extend for ten years the one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax earmarked for soil and water conservation and state parks and historic sites administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The Conservation Department would not receive any of the tax money, but would benefit indirectly as those programs enhance fish and wildlife habitat and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunity.

Commissioners approved the Department's 1995-96 Annual Report for printing and distribution early in 1997. It also accepted a report of public comment received about mineral prospecting on Department lands.

No meeting will be held in November, and the next meeting was set for December 13 in Jefferson City.

Hearings

Jack McLaughlin, Mountain View, presented his plan to restore quail and rabbit habitat on private land.

Area Names

The Commission named two recently acquired tracts: "Gravois Creek Conservation Area (CA)" for the 13.7-acre Urban Wild Acres area in St. Louis County which fronts on Gravois Creek; and "Dilday Mill Access" for the 4-acre access near an old mill site on Turnback Creek in Dade County.

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:

accept donation of 2 acres on Cuivre River in Lincoln County, to be named "Twin Rivers Access," from the Lincoln County Commission as a new public fishing access.

purchase 231 acres in Hickory County as a multiple-use CA that will provide public fishing access on Starks Creek and protect critical habitat for the endangered Niangua darter.

accept donation of 54 acres in Chesterfield, St. Louis County, as an Urban Wild Acres area to be named "August G. Beckemeier CA." The site includes springs, waterfalls, and rich variety of wildflowers. Proposed developments will provide hiking trails and a viewing area overlooking the Missouri River bottoms.

purchase 296 acres in Saline County as an addition to Blue Lick CA. Included are several mineral springs and associated unique habitats, seasonal wetlands, and two miles of frontage on the Blackwater River and Finney Creek.

purchase two tracts totaling 66 acres in Parkville, Platte County, as an Urban Wild Acres area. The land borders an existing 46-acre nature preserve owned by the City of Parkville.

purchase and accept a 50% donation of 34 acres in Independence, Jackson County, as an Urban Wild Acres area. The area is one mile north of I-70 and 1/4 mile west of Noland Road, and borders Sante Fe Park. It will be named "Lipton CA."

purchase 1565 acres in Shannon County as a new, residential educational facility. The land fronts on the Current River on both sides, and 970 acres are subject to scenic river easements controlled by the National Park Service.

purchase 465 acres in Dallas County as an addition to Lead Mine CA.

Approval to

enter into an agreement with the Johnny Morris Foundation to jointly sponsor and support a pilot Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School. Plans are to offer the school in Springfield in 1997 for families and individuals over the age of 11 with little experience in the outdoors.

negotiate an agreement with the World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis to help fund production of six educational videos on threatened bird species.

negotiate an agreement with The James Foundation of St. James to provide a funding grant toward design and construction of a nature center addition to the existing museum at Maramec Spring Park.

advertise and sell an estimated 448,305 board feet of mixed hardwood sawtimber from 130 acres of the 6,148- acre Clearwater CA in Reynolds County.

MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSION POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING REAUTHORIZATION OF THE SALES TAX FOR SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION, AND STATE PARKS

The Missouri Conservation Commission supports reauthorization of the sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for use by the Department of Natural Resources for soil and water conservation, state parks, and historic sites.

In November, Missouri voters will be asked to decide on whether the one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax, used by the Department of Natural Resources for soil and water conservation, state parks, and historic sites, should be reauthorized for another ten years. The importance of this tax to the continuation of many successful programs, projects, and activities cannot be overstated. Moreover, the relationship of these efforts to the conservation of fish, forests, and wildlife is critical. Soil and water conservation contributes substantially to the needs of plants and animals as well as our quality of life and natural heritage. State parks and historic sites provide a well rounded and diverse linkage to the land, natural resources, outdoor recreation, and the history of all Missourians.

While the purpose of the soil and water conservation, state parks, and historic sites programs differs significantly from the Department of Conservation mission, it is no coincidence that many participants in these programs share a common view -- that protection and use of the state s valuable natural resources is important, and understanding the history of Missouri, its land, people, and character, will help us to understand and shape our future. For these reasons, the Conservation Commission supports reauthorization of the one-tenth of one percent tax for another ten years as a means of funding these excellent programs.

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