Public invited to share ideas about future management of Crooked Creek Conservation Area

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
04/04/2016
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CRAWFORD Co., 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.

Crooked Creek Conservation Area in Crawford County is among the areas under review. MDC is inviting public comment regarding Crooked Creek Conservation Area to aid staff in developing a 10-year management plan for the area. Interested persons or groups—including recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials and government agencies—are invited to view the proposed management plan at www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.

The plan includes a link for supplying comments and input. The plan will remain available for public comment during the month of April. The public comment period for the Crooked Creek plan will close April 30.

Crooked Creek Conservation Area consists of 337 acres of forested land, and includes a half-mile natural-surface hiking trail. It is designated by Audubon Missouri as an Important Bird Area. Crooked Creek can be reached by taking Route 19 south from Cherryville approximately seven miles, then take Route VV northwest five miles to the 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.

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.