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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. MDC is in the multi-year process of updating management plans for conservation areas and invites public comments.
A draft plan for Austin Community Lake is available for public comment until Jan. 31. To preview draft management plans and share comments online, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.
Austin Community Lake is a 22-acre lake sitting on a forested area in Texas County, about 5 miles outside of Cabool. The area features a boat ramp, picnic areas, a pavilion and a fishing dock.
MDC invites comments from recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials, government agencies, and other interested persons or groups. To make a comment on this area plan, go online to www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.
MDC manages nearly 1,000 conservation areas covering almost one million public acres throughout the state for the purpose of restoring and conserving fish, forest and wildlife resources, and for providing appropriate public use, research and demonstration areas.
Conservation Area Management Plans document strategies for natural resource management and public use on specific conservation areas. Area plans also help communicate an area's purpose and management direction to staff and interested citizens.
"It's important that citizens have a chance to provide their input to their conservation areas," said Travis Mills, the area manager. "We provide a service by managing these areas and we strive to develop quality habitat to promote wildlife health as well as outdoor opportunities for Missourians."
Conservation Area Management Plans do not address regulations on hunting, fishing and other area uses, which are set by the Conservation Commission and enforced under the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
Area plans are currently posted on the MDC website and available at MDC offices for public comment for a limited time.
Conservation areas enrich Missourian's quality of life by providing spaces for outdoor recreation. For more information on area plan comment periods go online to www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.
