CONSERVATION ACTION
News of the April 20, 2001 Conservation Commission meeting
Contact: Carolyn Auckley, (573) 751-4115;
E-mail: Carolyn.Auckley@mdc.mo.gov

The Conservation Commission met April 20 at The Black River Coliseum, Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Commissioners present were:

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

The next meeting of the Conservation Commission was set for May 29-30, 2001, at Sand Spring Resort, Highway 64, Lebanon, 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.

• No presentations.

REGULATIONS

• Regulation changes approved by the Conservation Commission include restructuring fees for lifetime hunting and fishing permits from a flat fee to a graduated fee system based on age, with children and older adults receiving the lower priced permits. Changes made as a result of the annual review of the Wildlife Code include: modification to regulations on Department-owned areas and areas managed by MDC but owned by other entities, for ease of understanding; allowing Missouri resident with certain mental or developmental disabilities to fish without a permit when accompanied by a licensed angler; providing a process for the suspension and revocation of commercial licenses; clarifying the use of jug lines and prohibiting possession of fish traps on waters of the state or adjacent banks; increasing the daily limit and eliminating the minimum length limit on spotted (Kentucky) bass on the Meramec River and its tributaries; prohibiting possession of paddlefish on a portion of the Little Platte River; and, opening Lawrence County to turkey hunting during the fall firearms season.

ADMINISTRATION: The Commission also took the following action:

• Authorized entering into a contract for renovation of Pools 1 and 3 at the Duck Creek Conservation Area in Bollinger, Stoddard and Wayne counties.
• Authorized entering into a contract for construction of the Bellefontaine Conservation Area pond development project in St. Louis County.
• Tabled a recommendation to purchase approximately 16 acres from the Sullivan C-2 School District of Franklin County to be used as a new regional headquarters site and sell existing 4.64 acre regional headquarters site.
• Approved two area names.
• Approved designation of two Missouri Natural Areas, one owned by the Department of Conservation and one owned by private individuals.
• Approved modifications to Department's Solicitation policy in the Human Resources Policy Manual.
• Approved modifications to Department's Leave: Paid and Unpaid Time Off policy in the Human Resources Policy Manual.
• Accepted as a gift 736 acres in Howell County from Dan A. and Maureen S. Cover.

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