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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. A draft management plan for Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area is available for public review through Aug. 31. To preview this draft management plan and share comments online, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.
Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area contains 4,431 acres developed to help offset the loss of nearly 90 percent of Missouri’s historical wetlands. The area includes more than 10 miles of stream frontage along the Missouri River and Perche Creek, as well as 17 shallow pools, 30 miles of levees, 61 water control structures, and a pipeline linking the area to the City of Columbia’s wastewater treatment wetlands. The KATY Trail State Park also passes through a portion of the area, which allows for added public access and enjoyment.
The 17 wetland pools at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area allow the flooding of 1,100 acres of marshes and crop fields, providing year-round habitat for migrating and wintering birds and permanent wildlife, as well as excellent wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities.
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.
