CONSERVATION ACTION
News of the June 26-27, 2002 Conservation Commission meeting
Contact: Stephanie Ramsey Westbrook, (573) 751-4115;
E-mail: Stephanie.Ramsey@mdc.mo.gov

The Conservation Commission met June 26-27 at Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri. Commissioners present were:

Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City
Howard L. Wood, Bonne Terre
Stephen C. Bradford, Cape Girardeau
Cynthia Metcalfe, St. Louis

The next meeting of the Conservation Commission was set for July 25-26 in Jefferson City, Missouri.

PRESENTATION:

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 (573) 751-4467, at least 10 working days before the meeting date.  The deadline for the next meeting is July 11, 2002.

The Commission heard the following presentations:

• Eugene L. Brunk, Secretary/Treasurer, Missouri Forest Heritage Center, Inc.
  • To provide an update on the status of the Forest Heritage Center project.

REGULATIONS:

The Commission accepted the report of the Regulation Committee, highlights include:

1. The Regulations Committee proposed to amend 3 CSR 10-7.435 Deer: Seasons, Methods, Limits to establish consistency with 3 CSR 10.7410 Hunting Methods (1) P Hunter Orange, which requires fluorescent orange to be worn during the youth-only, November, and Antlerless-only portions of the firearms season. The provision exempts migratory game bird hunters, hunters using archery methods while hunting in municipal boundaries where discharge of firearms is prohibited, hunters on federal or state public hunting areas where deer hunting is restricted to archery methods, and hunters in closed deer management units during the Antlerless-only portion of the firearms deer hunting season.
2. The Regulations Committee proposed to amend 3 CSR 10-440, Migratory Game Birds and Waterfowl: Seasons, Limits to establish hunting seasons and limits for Eurasian collared-doves. Populations of Eurasian collared-doves are now found in Missouri, especially in the southeastern region. Eurasian collared-doves are not easily distinguishable in flight or when "field-dressed". The amendment will provide hunting opportunity for Eurasian collard-doves within established mourning dove limits. Attached was a proposed amendment to 3 CSR 10-20.805, Definitions, which adds Eurasian collared-dove to the list of game birds. The Eurasian collared-dove population is expected to continue expanding.
3. The Regulations Committee proposed a recommendation to amend 3 CSR 10.6525 Paddlefish to help control illegal activities related to the harvest and sale of fish eggs, while allowing persons who harvest paddlefish to legally "field-dress" their fish as long as they dispose of the eggs and other entrails.

ADMINISTRATION: The Commission also took the following action:

1. Authorized purchase of approximately 31 acres in Laclede County for use as a public fishing access.
2. Authorized trade of approximately 280 acres of Cedar Grove Conservation Area, Dent County, The Nature Conservancy for approximately 240 acres as an addition to Angeline Conservation Area, Shannon County.
3. Authorized the trade of approximately 61 acres of Cheerful Hill Access in Wright County for approximately 40 acres of forest land as an addition to the Cedar Gap Conservation Area, also in Wright County, and an additional monetary compensation to the Department.
4. Authorized the sale of approximately 0.50 acres of Camp Branch Access, Wright County.
5. Authorized the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals who vandalize or damage Department of Conservation property.
6. Election of officers for Fiscal Year 2003: Howard L. Wood, Chairman; Stephen C Bradford, Vice Chairman; Cynthia Metcalfe, Secretary; and Anita B. Gorman, Member.
7. Approval of bid by Cannon General Contractors, Inc. of Troy, Missouri for the construction of the Columbia Bottom Area, Phase II, Maintenance Building Compound, located in St. Louis County.
8. Reconsidered certain FY 2003 Budget items.
9. Authorized a grant of $25,000 to Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge of Mound City, Missouri to enlarge the auditorium for conservation education programming.
10. Authorized a grant of $25,000 for the Mill Creek Park overlook and Eco-pond, including native plants for landscaping and interpretive signage, located in Kansas City, Missouri.
11. Approval to accept a gift from Donald F. And Shirley S. Marshall of Warrenton, Missouri, of approximately 238.5 acres in Warren County as an addition to Reifsnider State Forest located in Warrenton County. The tract will be named "John and Sylvia Wiedmann Unit Reifsnider State Forest" and managed as part of Reifsnider State Forest.
12. Revoked all privileges for the following individuals for violations of Missouri Wildlife Code Regulations: Dale M. Black, Ellsinore, MO-1 year; Jarred D. Jamison, Kennett, MO-1 year; James D. Overstreet, Neosho, MO-1 year; Bryan Reynolds, Brunswick, MO-1 year; Raymond Ruch, Barnhart, MO-1 year; Kevin A. Scott, Kennett, MO-1 year; Carl Strickland, Bloomfield, MO-1 year; Randy L. Vestel, Marshfield, MO-3 years; and Michael S. Wasson, Goodman, MO-1 year.

The Commission received the following staff presentations:

1. Update on FY 02 Status on Major Construction/Development Projects dated May 31, 2002.
2. Update on the Monthly Financial Summary and Out-of-State Travel Detail Report dated May 31, 2002.
3. Discussion of other matters of interest.

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