Xplor reconnects kids to nature and helps them find adventure in their own backyard. Free to residents of Missouri.
MDC seeks ideas about future management of Little Indian Creek Conservation Area
Sullivan, 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. Little Indian Creek Conservation Area east is among the areas under review. The area is east of Sullivan and extends into both Franklin and Washington Counties.
MDC is inviting public comment regarding Little Indian Creek 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 by going to 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 August. The public comment period for the Little Indian Creek Conservation Area plan will close Aug. 31.
The north entrance of Little Indian Creek can be accessed from Highway 30 by taking Route K south across the Meramec River, then Old Route K left 0.50 mile, then Little Indian Creek Road 3 miles to the area sign. To reach the south entrance, from I-44 take Highway 185 south seven miles, then Route A east six miles to the area sign.
Little Indian Creek Conservation Area consists of 3,939 acres of mostly forest and woodland. It features primitive camping, a rifle/pistol/shotgun shooting range, small fishing pond, and Little Indian Creek itself, a permanent stream. There is also a 12.1-mile multi-use trail comprised of east and west loops.
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.