MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 27, 1997, 1:00 P.M.
CONTACT: Shannon Cave, 573-751-4115 X250 for further information
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JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Department of Conservation Director Jerry Conley says stories that MDC is involved in a conspiracy to throw people out of the Ozarks are "pure, unadulterated bunk." He's been getting calls from upset citizens, concerned because his department has been named at recent meetings as part of some conspiracy, and of advocating a program called "Man and the Biosphere."
"MDC has always respected landowner rights and worked to be good neighbors wherever we acquire land," said Conley. "We've never bought land except from a willing seller, and the state owns less than 2% of Missouri. While we've been well acquainted with the MAB program from public documents, meetings and communications over the years, we've never endorsed it."
A recent advertisement in the West Plains Daily Quill did not identify its sponsors, but asserted that state agencies like MDC "are currently involved in a criminal conspiracy of the United Nations to confiscate our property (50% or more of all property in the state) . . . there will be no land for farming or hunting . . . they intend on shifting governmental authority over to non-elected groups . . ."
"Absolute hogwash!" says Conley in releasing his letter to the media. " Does this sound like something that MDC -- the agency that brought back Missouri's deer and turkeys -- could be part of? Or something that could happen without our knowing and opposition?
"All this does is play on people's worst fears and vulnerabilities, to what advantage I don't know. MDC is involved in no conspiracy and it confiscates no land," he continued. "Missourians know that, and agitators better learn it. We try to work through, not against, farmers and private landowners, because we know they control over 93% of the land in Missouri, and good habitat will always depend on them."
Conley asks local leaders and citizens to stop and use their common sense before believing misleading information. "False accusations are often based on a grain of truth, so make sure you know what's the grain and what's the fabrication. There is a United Nations program (and a separate U.S. program) called `Man and Biosphere.' Reams of information have been published about them, most of it pretty boring," Conley reports. "The jump from general proposals and odd maps to a conspiracy for evicting residents is ridiculous. People can believe what they want, but when they start spouting off and scaring vulnerable folks like some who've called our offices, they go too far. Show the scare-crows the door."
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