May 30, 1997 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
General news
The Conservation Commission met May 29 and 30 at Sho-Neff Plantation, north of Stockton. The May 29 session began at 1:30 p.m. and was dedicated to considering a spending plan for the fiscal year to begin July 1, 1997. On May 30, the open meeting to consider other business began at 8:30 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
Commissioners presented an award for 2,000 hours of volunteer service at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center to Volunteer Naturalists Amy D. Short and E. Rebecca Matthews of Springfield.
After receiving a report on comments provided at three recent public meetings, approval was given to a "Conservation Commission Statement of General Forest Management Policy and Direction." The Commission noted that communications had been received withdrawing all pending applications for mineral exploration on conservation areas: thus presentations on that topic became moot and were canceled.
The next meeting was set for June 30 in Rolla.
Budget
The Commission approved an annual expenditure plan totaling $143,799,718 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997 including $24,896,450 for capital improvements, and $118,903,268 for equipment, personnel and expenses. Spending is strictly limited by actual revenues received. Approximately 63% of funds are expected to come from the 1/8% conservation sales tax, 18% from hunting and fishing sport permits, 12% from federal taxes on fishing and hunting equipment, and 7% from miscellaneous other sources.
Regulations
The Commission approved a change that allows hunting furbearers, squirrels and rabbits with dogs during the firearms deer season in most of the state, but leaves a prohibition in place for Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon and Wayne counties.
The following 1997-98 seasons were approved:
no change in season for rails, snipe, woodcock and mourning dove, subject to final approval of the federal framework;
a September 13-21 sunrise to sunset season for blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal with limits of four teal in the aggregate daily, eight in possession, subject to final approval of the federal framework.
Presentations
Commission meetings are open to the public, and those wishing to be placed on the agenda for a presentation or other business need to write to Director, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, at least 10 working days before the meeting date.
John L. Morris of Bass Pro Shops, Springfield, presented a proposal for Commission participation in creating an American National Fish and Wildlife Museum in Springfield.
Approval to
consummate the negotiated, equal-value land trade with the U. S. Forest Service, authorized by Commission at its September 20, 1996 meeting.
transfer title to the 456-acre Twin Pines tract in Shannon County (acquired as part of the land trade with the U. S. Forest Service) to the Missouri Forest Heritage Center Inc., authorized by Commission at its June 9, 1995 meeting.
exchange three tracts totaling 395 acres in Bollinger County for 141 acres adjacent to Castor River Conservation Area (CA), providing public access to 1840 presently inaccessible acres.
exchange the 80-acre Coffman Towersite, Sainte Genevieve County, and a cash payment for 120 acres adjacent to Angeline Conservation Area, Shannon County.
convey 2.1 acres of Flatwoods CA, Wayne County, to James D. Pevril et ux. of Piedmont, to correct a resurveyed area boundary line.
Land Acquisitions
The Commission acquires land only from willing sellers, making annual payments to compensate local governments and schools for lost tax revenues at assessment levels current when acquired. Public access to acquisitions will be appropriate only after closing of real estate transactions, at which time boundaries will be marked and further information will be available. Approval was given to proceed with acquisition of the following:
purchase 96 acres in Barton County as an addition to Buffalo Wallow Prairie CA
purchase 80 acres in Iron County as an addition to Ketcherside Mountain CA
purchase 63 acres in Scotland County as an addition to Indian Hills CA.
purchase 5 acres in Lewis County as an addition to Deer Ridge CA.
donation of 2 acres in Dent County from Missouri Department of Transportation, as an addition to Short Bend Access.