The Conservation Commission met Jan. 29 and 30 at The Tan Tar A Resort, Osage Beach.
Commissioners present were:
- William F. “Chip” McGeehan, Marshfield, Chairman
- Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City, Vice-chairman
- Don R. Johnson, Festus, Secretary
- Becky L. Plattner, Grand Pass, Member
The Conservation Commission set its next meeting for March 18 and 19 at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, Kansas 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 March 4.
THE COMMISSION RECEIVED PRESENTATIONS FROM;
- Randy Wisthoff, Director, Kansas City Zoo, concerning an upcoming Zoo project.
- Mark Ryan, PhD., Director of the School of Natural Resources, UM-Columbia about the purpose, mission and structure of the Wetland Ecology Center of Excellence.
- Human Resources Division Chief Debbie Strobel giving an interim report on financial status of Conservation Employees’ Benefits Plan Trust Fund.
- The Commission presented 2007 Hunter Education Awards to Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Michael Mansell and Conservation Agent Randy Doman.
THE COMMISSION APPROVED:
- Acceptance of a low bid of $487,800 from Columbia Curb and Gutter of Columbia for the construction of the Blind Pony Fish Hatchery Fish Production Ponds Renovation Project in Saline County.
- Acceptance of a low bid of $1,012,229 from Kissick Construction of Kansas City for the construction of the Wigwam School Access Project at Lake of the Ozarks in Morgan County.
- Approved the appointment of Wildlife Regional Supervisor Mitch Miller to the Board of Trustees for the Conservation Employees’ Benefits Plan Trust Fund.
- Authorized the sale of an estimated 2.1 million board feet of timber located on Sunklands Conservation Area in Shannon County.
- Approved the purchase of approximately 1 acre from Mitchell Johnson as an addition to Peter A. Eck Conservation Area (CA) in Texas County. The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation has committed to funding the entire $5,000 purchase price with Stream Stewardship Trust Fund monies. The tract eliminates a three-sided inholding and provides stream bank protection along the Big Piney River.
- Approved the purchase of approximately 90 acres from Marvin and Nancy Burkhalter as an addition to Bryson’s Hope Conservation Area in Pettis County. Dr. and Mrs. Henry Berrier, of Columbia, have committed $50,000 toward the $190,000 purchase price. The tract borders existing Conservation Department land on two sides and connects Bryson’s Hope CA to W.R. Kearn Memorial CA. The land lies within the Hi Lonesome Conservation Opportunity Area and contributes to accomplishment of prairie chicken management goals there. ●
- Approved the designation of two new Missouri Natural Areas (NAs): Razor Hollow NA, a 923-acre area within Daniel Boone CA in Warren County. Spiderlily NA, a 354-acre area within Mudpuppy CA in Ripley County.
- Approved a 1,118-acre addition to the original 227-acre Horton Bottoms NA at Four Rivers CA in Vernon County.
- Approved the declassification of Reifsnider Forest NA, a 22-acre portion of Reifsnider CA in Warren County. It was designated as a NA before development of standards for determining the best examples of various natural communities and is no longer considered one of the best examples of mature white oak forest in Missouri.
- Suspended hunting and/or fishing privileges of 13 Missouri residents and two nonresidents for Wildlife Code violations and affirmed actions taken by Missouri courts suspending privileges of three Missouri residents. Those whose privileges were suspended are:
| Tina L. Amaral | Gainesville | 1 year | all sport and commercial privileges |
| Gary Borden | St. Louis | until 11/29/2009 | hunting |
| Justin D. Cain | Jefferson City | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| Rodney W. Cantrell | Mansfield | 6 months | all sport privileges |
| Timothy Clark | High Ridge | until 11/27/2008 | hunting |
| Evah R. Garrett | Warrensburg | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| Justin L. Garrison | Reeds | 4 years | all sport privileges |
| James B. Gray | Kahoka | 1 year | commercial fishing |
| Bryan D. Grisham | Lockwood | 3 months | all sport privileges |
| Josh S. Jones | Sarcoxie | 4 years | all sport privileges |
| Tracy L. Kuhn | Caruthersville | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| Bryan M. Lunsford | Poplar Bluff | 6 months | hunting |
| Clarence Lyons, III | New Madrid | until 11/06/2008 | hunting |
| Don R. Mead | Kirbyville | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| John R. Onion | Summum, Ill. | 2 years | all sport and commercial privileges |
| Rodney Shockley | Summersville | 9 years | all sport privileges |
| Michael E. Thomas | Astoria, Ill. | 1 year | all sport fishing and commercial fishing privileges |
| Steven D. Walker | Poplar Bluff | 3 years | all sport privileges |
- Approved the suspension or revocation of all hunting and fishing privileges of 199 Missouri residents and four nonresidents who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws.
- Suspended the hunting and fishing privileges of 138 nonresidents under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
