CONSERVATION ACTION
News of the June 28, 2000 Conservation Commission meeting
Contact: Carolyn Auckley, (573) 751-4115;
E-mail: Carolyn.Auckley@mail.mdc.mo.gov

The Conservation Commission met June 28 at The Hyatt Regency Crown Plaza, Kansas City. Commissioners present were:

Howard L. Wood, Bonne Terre
Ronald J. Stites, Plattsburg
Randy Herzog, St. Joseph
Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City

The next meeting of the Conservation Commission was set for July 17, 2000 at the Department Headquarters, Jefferson City, Missouri.

PRESENTATIONS

Commission meetings are open to the public. Those wishing to be placed on the agenda for a presentation or other business must send a written request to Director, Department of Conservation, P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City MO 65102-0180, or FAX to(573) 751-4467, at least 10 working days before the meeting date. The Commission heard the following presentation:

• Volunteer Service Award to Joe Polka for 5,000 hours of volunteer service at the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center.

LAND ACQUISITION

The Commission acquires land only from willing sellers and makes annual payments to compensate local governments and schools for lost tax revenues at assessment levels current when acquired. Public access to acquisitions is appropriate only after closing of real estate transactions, at which time boundaries have been marked and further information is available. The Commission approved proceeding with:

• exchanging approximately 1,647 acres of Department forest land for approximately 1,651 acres of Pioneer Forest, located in Reynolds and Shannon counties.
• purchasing 284 acres in Dallas County as an addition to Berry Bluff Conservation Area.
• purchasing a flowage easement over approximately 125 acres of land in Vernon County and to enter into an option agreement for future purchase/trade.
• exchanging 2.15 acres of Clearwater Conservation Area for 2.15 acres to resolve a boundary dispute.

ADMINISTRATION:

The Commission also took the following action:

• authorized designating two Missouri Natural Areas, both owned by the Department of Natural Resources.
• authorized discontinuing Cooperative Agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Department for the administration of Public Waterfowl Hunting and Historic Weapons Deer Hunting on certain lands of the Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge effective June 1, 2001.
• discussed public land habitat management.
• authorized increasing FY 2001 estimated receipts and operating budget.
• authorized use of funds from DeSteiguer Trust to purchase a tract in Polk County previously approved for purchase.
• authorized sale of approximately 1.45 acres of land in Warren County known as the Warrenton Forestry Office site.
• approved aircraft usage policy and revised out-of-state travel policy.
• established the 2000 woodcock hunting season October 15 through November 28, 2000.