Public invited to share ideas about future management of MDC Kessler Memorial Wildlife Area

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
09/06/2013
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Lincoln County, 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. Kessler Memorial Wildlife Area north of Troy is among the areas under review.

MDC is inviting public comment regarding Kessler Memorial Wildlife 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 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 September. The public comment period for the Kessler Memorial Wildlife Area plan will close Sept. 30.

Kessler Memorial Wildlife Area may be reached by travelling five miles north of Troy on Highway 61, then three miles east on Route KK.

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.