MDC seeks public input on Big Tavern Creek and Lower Osage River accesses

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Published Date
07/01/2016
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is in the multi-year process of updating Conservation Area Management Plans and is seeking public input on how conservation areas are important to Missourians.  Draft management plans for the Big Tavern Creek accesses and Lower Osage River accesses are available for public review through July 31. To preview these draft management plans and share comments online, visit mdc.mo.gov/areaplans

Big Tavern Creek access areas provide compatible outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, animal viewing, and access to Big Tavern Creek.  Accesses included in this plan are Boeckman Bridge Access, Brays Access, Madden Ford Access, and Wilson Camp Access. 

Lower Osage River access areas provide recreational fishing and boating access to the Osage River. This plan includes Bagnell Dam Access, Bonnots Mill Access, Kings Bluff Access, Mari-Osa Access, Osage-Tavern Access, Pikes Camp Access, St. Thomas Ferry Access, and Tuscumbia Access. 

“Missourians care about conservation and use conservation areas for many different reasons,” said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. “These areas help people discover nature through various activities and help make Missouri a great place to hunt, fish and enjoy outdoor activities. We want to know how conservation areas are important to Missourians. Encouraging public comments on Conservation Area Management Plans is part of MDC’s ongoing efforts of working for and with Missourians to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.”

Statewide, MDC conservation areas cover almost one million public acres for the purpose of restoring and conserving forest, fish and wildlife resources, and for providing opportunities for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about these resources. Most Missourians are within a 30-minute drive of an MDC conservation area.

Conservation Area Management Plans focus on natural resource management and public use on conservation areas. The 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. MDC will consider all ideas received and will work to balance the issues and interests identified with the responsibility of managing areas for the present and future benefits to forest, fish, wildlife, and people. Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how to best incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, its physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.