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 Jan. 15. The Conservation Commission met Dec. 19 in the lower level of the Conservation Employees Credit Union and Dec. 20 in the Conservation Commission meeting room, both at 2901 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City. Commissioners present were:

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

The next meeting of the Conservation Commission was set for Jan. 30 at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach.

On Dec. 19, the Conservation Commission held a joint meeting with the Clean Water Commission.

The group heard presentations from Conservation Department and Missouri Department of Natural Resources staff about the Missouri Stream Team program, storm water runoff and timber harvest and water quality. They also exchanged comments and insights about coordinating agency efforts in areas of shared interest and authority. Following the open meeting, the Conservation Commission met in closed executive session to discuss legal action, leases and purchase of real estate, personnel matters, audit reports and negotiated contracts.

On Dec. 20, the Conservation Commission met in open session. It approved the minutes of its Nov. 21 and discussed the Conservation Department's partnership with and operations of the American National Fish & Wildlife Museum with the museum's executive director, Fred Marty.

The Commission presented a Special Achievement Award to Forestry Resource Assistant Howard King, Arcadia, for administering CPR to a heart attack victim.

The Commission recognized Heavy Equipment Operator Carl Barnes, Raymondville; Wildlife Resource Aid Marshall Price, Van Buren, and Wildlife Resource Technician Terry Thompson, Winona for their response to an emergency situation.

The Commission presented the Clerical Employee of the Year Award to St. Louis Regional Office Manager Denise Lehmann.

The Commission also awarded service awards:

• 35 YEAR - Equipment Shop Supervisor Marshall Neely, Salem.
• 30-YEAR - Fisheries Management Biologist Bill Anderson, Ozark; Policy Coordinator Joe Bachant, Holts Summit; Survey Crew Supervisor Bernard Boillot, Jefferson City; Accounting Technician Sandy Rackers, Holts Summit.
• 25-YEAR - Wildlife Management Biologist Dennis Browning, Trenton; Resource Technician Billy Driscoll, West Plains; Protection District Supervisor Michael Eutsler, Springfield ; Regional Outdoor Skills Supervisor Richard Flint, Willard; Wetland Services Biologist William Goodwin, Warrensburg; Equipment Shop Technician Terry Gullick, Bucklin; Protection District Supervisor Gregg Hitchings, Ironton; Director John Hoskins, Jefferson City; Science Division Administrator Dale Humburg, Columbia; Fisheries Regional Supervisor Phil Jeffries Jr., Excelsior Springs; Private Land Conservationist David Knisley, Desoto; Fisheries Regional Supervisor Robert Legler, West Plains; Sign Technician Wendell Light, Salem; Construction Supervisor David Martz, Brookfield; Senior Conservation Agent John Pratt, Poplar Bluff; Fisheries Field Operations Chief Kevin Richards, Osage Beach ; Protection Regional Supervisor Tim Ripperger, St. Joseph; Private Land Services Regional Supervisor Robert Schroeppel, Springfield; Senior Conservation Agent Michael Terhune, Stockton; Lead Carpenter Joseph Toscano Jr., Springfield; Fisheries Programs Coordinator Bill Turner, Sedalia; Private Land Conservationist Warren Valenti Jr., Lebanon; Protection Field Chief Robert White, Columbia; Wildlife Biologist Michael Woodring, Willow Springs.

REGULATIONS:

The Commission approved recommendations of the Conservation Department Regulations Committee, including recommendations for changes in the Wildlife Code to address concerns related to chronic wasting disease.

OTHER ACTION:

The Commission approved staff recommendation to:

• Enter into a nature center lease/purchase agreement with the Cape Girardeau County Commission. The County Commission will issue $4.7 million in bonds to help finance the nature center in the Cape Girardeau County Park North. The Conservation Commission will purchase the facility from the county over a period of 10 years. Construction of the nature center is scheduled to begin next year with the project completed by fall 2004.
• Transfer the uncommitted balance of the Capital Improvement Grants account to the Administrative Accounts - Area Management Equipment to provide funding for equipment to be used to manage and maintain conservation areas or to perform essential public service functions.
• Transfer, at no charge, to the Scotland County Commission, .55 acres of new right-of-way and .75 acres of temporary easement from Indian Hills Conservation Area.
• Suspend or revoke all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws.
• Suspend all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals for cause. Those affected are

• The Commission also discussed the Conservation Department's policy regarding fish tagging.

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