October 2019 Conservation Commission Action

Body

The Missouri Conservation Commission met at River Centre at The Landing, 110 Front St. in Van Buren, on Oct. 10 for its closed executive session and on Oct. 11 for its regular open meeting. Commissioners present were:

  • Don C. Bedell, Chair
  • Wm. L. (Barry) Orscheln, Vice Chair/Secretary
  • Steven D. Harrison, Member
  • Mark L. McHenry, Member

PRESENTATIONS

The Commission received the following presentations/reports:

  • Director’s Comments — Sara Parker Pauley, Director
  • Operational Excellence Update — Kendra Witthaus, Assistant to Director - Operational Excellence
  • Report of the Regulations Committee — Mike Hubbard, Deputy Director and Chair, Regulations Committee
  • Missouri Quail Research Project — Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich, Wildlife Management Biologists
  • Forest Management on Conservation Areas — Justine Gartner, Acting Forestry Division Chief
  • Financial Report — Andrew Bond, Financial Services Chief
  • Major Construction Projects Status Report — Jacob Careaga, Design and Development Division Chief
  • Information Technology Projects Status Report — Douglas Fees, Information Technology Services Chief

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

  • Approved recommendations to increase the daily limit for trout at Maramec Spring Park from 4 to 5 and raise the possession limit to 10 trout statewide. See background information.
  • Approved final orders of rulemaking to establish a framework for an elk hunting season in Missouri.
  • Approved bids for the construction of the Statewide Tower Replacements project at conservation areas located in various counties.
  • Approved bids for the construction of the Henges (Jay) Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center Bullet Trap Replacement project and the Baffle Panel Repair and Armoring project located in St. Louis County.
  • Approved bids for the construction of the Chesapeake Fish Hatchery Heat Pump Replacement project located in Lawrence County.
  • Approved the purchase of approximately 40 acres in Washington County as an addition to Little Indian Creek Conservation Area.
  • Approved the purchase of approximately 125 acres in Iron County as an addition to Buford Mountain Conservation Area.
  • Approved the purchase of approximately 266 acres in Sullivan County as an addition to Locust Creek Conservation Area.
  • Approved the sale of the 21.4-acre James Bridge Access in Ray County.
  • Approved the sale of the 23.8-acre Morton Bridge Access in Ray County.
  • Suspended or revoked one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of 17 individuals for cause:
    1. Phillip L. Applegate, Jr., Morrisville, Hunting, Add 5 years to current suspension;
    2. Cody L. Bonnett, St. Joseph, All Sport, 1 Year;
    3. Gregory K. Brandow, Fulton, Hunting and Fishing, 2 Years;
    4. James C. Collins, Zanoni, Hunting, 2 Years;
    5. Jonathan A. Ek, Fair Grove, Hunting, 2 Years;
    6. Braxton K. Franklin, Cassville, All Sport, 1 Year;
    7. John M. Gillman, Harrisburg, Hunting, 6 Months;
    8. Paul E. Glaser, Pleasant Hope, Fishing, 1 Year;
    9. James G. Harris, Joplin, All Sport, 1 Year;
    10. Steven C. Kasten, Grafton (IL), All Sport, 1 Year;
    11. Tyler E. Layton, Dexter, All Sport, 1 Year;
    12. Paul T. Richards, Holt Summit, All Sport, 1 Year;
    13. Dustin D. Ritter, Doniphan, Hunting, 3 Years;
    14. Christopher M. Rosenquist, Perryville, Hunting, 1 Year;
    15. Kenneth E. Soule, Sugar Creek, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
    16. Tyler E. Stanley, New Madrid, Hunting and Fishing, 2 Years; and
    17. Steven Swanigan, Blytheville (AR) Fishing, 1 Year.
  • Suspended or revoked all hunting and fishing privileges of 180 individuals who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws.
  • Suspended or revoked one or more hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges of 184 individuals in accordance with the terms of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
  • Approved the acceptance of the hearing officer recommendation in the matter of issuance of a Class II wildlife breeder permit.
  • Approved an amendment to a memorandum of understanding with Columbia Public Schools.
  • Approved revision(s) to the Bylaws of the Missouri Conservation Commission.
  • Set the next regular meeting for December 12-13, 2019.