December 2023 Conservation Commission Action

Body

The Missouri Conservation Commission met Dec. 7 for a workshop followed by a closed executive session and Dec. 8 for its regular open meeting. All were held at Commission Headquarters, 2901 W. Truman Blvd. in Jefferson City. Commissioners attending the open meeting in person or online were:

  • Steven D. Harrison, Chair
  • Margaret F. (Margy) Eckelkamp, Vice Chair
  • Mark L. McHenry, Secretary
  • Raymond T. (Ray) Wagner Jr., Member

PRESENTATIONS

The Commission received the following presentations/reports:

  • Director’s Comments -- Sara Parker Pauley, Director
  • R3 Plan Update -- Eric Edwards, Hunter and Angler Marketing Specialist
  • Report of the Regulations Committee -- Jason Sumners, Deputy Director and Chair, Regulations Committee
  • 2024 Missouri Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations Recommendations and Turkey Research Update -- Nicholas Oakley, Scientist
  • Financial Report -- Andrew Bond, Chief Financial Officer
  • Major Construction Projects Status Report - Jacob Careaga, Infrastructure Management Branch Chief

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

  • Approved MDC recommendation to set season dates for each portion of the 2024-2025 firearms deer hunting season and recommendations for modifications to the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP).
  • Approved MDC 2024 spring turkey hunting regulation recommendations.
  • Approved the purchase of approximately 135-acres in St. Louis County as an addition to the Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area.
  • Approved the purchase of 160-acres in Dade County as an addition to the Sons Creek Conservation Area.
  • Approved the disposal of the 40-acre Thomasville Tower site in Shannon County via a competitive bid process.
  • Approved the disposal of a .4-acre parcel of the Nodaway Valley Conservation Area in Holt County to accommodate MODOT in constructing a new bridge for Route B.
  • Approved the advertisement and sale of an estimated 885,986 board feet of timber located on 350 acres of Compartment 13, Rocky Creek Conservation Area in Shannon County.
  • Approved the advertisement and sale of an estimated 1,009,768 board feet of timber located on 708 acres of Compartment 20, Angeline Conservation Area in Shannon County.
  • Approved the advertisement and sale of an estimated 1,039,495 board feet of timber located on 659 acres of Compartment 39, Rocky Creek Conservation Area in Shannon County.
  • Approved MDC policies on Information Technology Data Governance.
  • Approved MDC recommendation to dismiss the denial of Leann Tapscott’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit as moot, and to deny attorney’s fees.
  • Approved MDC recommendation to revoke Gaylon Thibodeaux’s Licensed Big Game Hunting Preserve Permit.
  • Approved MDC recommendation to appoint a new staff representative to the Conservation Employees’ Benefits Plan Board of Trustees for a three-year term.
  • Set the next regular meeting for Feb. 16, 2024.

This document is provided for public information only and is not an official record of the Missouri Department of Conservation or Missouri Conservation Commission.

To watch recordings of Commission meetings, go to http://on.mo.gov/2nodPJU.