RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled
at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March, 2003, does
hereby recommend the Missouri Department of Conservation to consider no change in
regulation such as the legalization of hand fishing for catfish.
RESPONSE
MDC: We appreciate the Federation's support for the Department's decision to not allow
hand fishing for catfish. We believe there has been fair, frequent and open discourse
with proponents of hand fishing over the last three years. Despite the passion and
persistence exhibited by the proponents to promote the legalization of hand fishing, a
significant number of out public waters, particularly streams, suffer from degraded catfish
habitat; allowing another method of take, particularly during the egg incubation stage,
would not be in the best interest of our catfish populations. Future efforts to better
manage our catfish populations will be guided by a statewide plan entitled "Managing
Missouri's Catfish". The plan is currently in the draft stage and will be shared with
catfish anglers in late summer or early fall 2003. The plan will be finalized after
reviewing input from this important stakeholder group. Implementation of selected elements
of the plan will take place in 2004 or earlier.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri
assembled at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March,
2003, support the actions of the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2002, proposed
by U.S. Reps. James Oberstar of Minnesota and John Dingell of Michigan and Sen.
Russell Feingold of Wisconsin, to correct these environmental loopholes;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to President
George W. Bush, the Missouri Delegation into the United States Congress, the
appropriate chairmen of Congressional water resources committees, the Environmental
Protection Agency, and the Corps of Engineers.
RESPONSE
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled
at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March, 2003, extend
a warm welcome to the National Wildlife Federation President, its Board of Directors
and its affiliates.
RESPONSE
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled
at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March, 2003, recommends
that the Missouri Department of Conservation consider providing Missouri residences over
the age of 65 and land owners with a "Conservation Counts with Missouri's Seniors and
land owners" cards similar to their "Missouri Conservation Heritage Card" at a
minimum initial charge (cover cost of issuing card) to be used (voluntarily) annually
to record (through Missouri's cooperating retailers) their active interest in
fishing and the hunting of small game. That in addition to the use of the card could
be tied to a donation to programs that benefit seniors and youth.
RESPONSE
MDC: The Department of Conservation deeply appreciates the political and policy support
of the Conservation Federation - the finest citizens' conservation federation in the world
has been instrumental in creating what the Department trust is the finest state conservation
agency and program in the world. So when the Federation talks about financial matters,
the Department listens.
Fundamental to the continued success and enhanced outreach of Department programs is
consistent and adequate funding based on the conservation sales tax and fishing and hunting
permit revenues. The Department of Conservation exempts special populations from permit
requirements based on age, land ownership, disability, and service to Missouri and our
nation. For example, fishing and hunting permit exemptions are given to Missourians younger
than 16, and 65 and older. However, the Department cannot "claim" or count these fishing
and hunting participants for reimbursement through Wallop-Breaux and Pittman-Robertson Acts
that reimburse states for numbers of paying licensees. For background, the chronology of
permit exemptions is summarized:
"Farmer" or "landowner" exemptions for fishing, hunting, and trapping span
the years from the establishment of the Conservation Commission.
In 1965, fishing permit exemption was broadened to "under 15."
In 1974, fishing permit exemption was added for "70 years and older."
In 1978, fishing permit exemption was broadened to "65 years and older."
In 1981, fishing exemptions continued for "15 or younger" and "65 and older,"
and limited resident hunting exemptions were added for these age groups as well;
in large part, the privileges afforded by these exemptions are as they exist today.
Though the 1976 "Design for Conservation" issue of Missouri Conservationist
included no explicit promises of reductions in fishing and hunting permit fees
or creation of exemptions, the timing of additional exemptions approved by the
Commission in 1981 is unarguably linked to the increased revenue stream from
design, as well as special recognition that younger and older participants are
worthy of recognition.
The financial impact of exempting seniors from selected permits is about $400,000 per year.
The Department is carefully reviewing permit exemptions for seniors as they relate to federal
aid reimbursement. We will certainly consider the Federation's resolution for seniors and
landowners as part of this review.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled
at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March, 2003, to
recognize the leadership of Dr. Albert Vogt in his 18 years of service as Director
and Administrator of the University of Missouri's School of Natural Resources.
RESPONSE
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled
at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March, 2003, shall
become a non profit partner in Leave No Trace, Inc. and that, as such, the Conservation
Federation of Missouri shall seek to partner with the Missouri Department of
Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in the provision of Leave
No Trace training to include but not limit to hikers, backpackers, canoeists,
equestrians, cave explorers and cyclists.
RESPONSE
MDC: The Missouri Department of Conservation would be pleased to partner with the
Conservation Federation of Missouri in the "Leave No Trace Training". The Department
includes a lot of the material in our Outdoor Skills training already. Responsible
use of our outdoor resources is a common thread throughout all our Outdoor Skills and
Hunter Education curriculum and resource materials. We have had our best luck in
providing this training as part of another skills based course, such as backpacking.
We look forward to an opportunity to partner with the Conservation Federation of
Missouri in this important endeavor.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri
assembled at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March,
2003, encourages the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and private
landowners to restore and sustain Missouri's natural canebrake communities for the
purpose of protection of natural waterways, species linked to cane, and overall
environmental health.
RESPONSE
MDC: The Department of Conservation recognizes the value of giant cane to wildlife and
stream systems. An inventory of remaining giant cane was completed in the early 1990s.
These locations were surveyed for Swainson's Warbler, a state endangered species,
in the mid-1990s. A follow-up survey at selected locations was completed in 2001 in
cooperation with the Audubon Society of Missouri.
Restoration of giant cane through plantings and forest management is a priority
in the Southeast and Ozark Regions. In cooperation with The Nature Conservancy, the
Department received a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant to restore giant
cane on private land in the Ozark Region. Landowners were notified of cost share funds
for cane restoration through a variety of means including the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District offices. Active restoration
projects are underway on conservation areas in both regions. The US Army Corps of
Engineers and the Department are restoring cane at selected sites on lands surrounding
Bull Shoals Reservoir. The Department contracted with Greenville College to evaluate
cane restoration on the Donaldson Point Conservation Area, New Madrid County.
The Department and NRCS are developing a commercial supply of cane through the Elsberry
Plant Materials Center in Lincoln County. Collections of cane from Illinois and Missouri
are being evaluated for performance with the best strains provided to commercial growers
for propogation in sufficient quantity for planting on lands enrolled in the Wetland
Reserve Program (WRP). The cooperative Deparment and NRCS Wetland Reserve Program
technical assistance teams will design landowner WRP projects to include cane on
appropriate sites at the request of the landowner.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri
assembled at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of
March, 2003, supports the continuation of the conservation sales tax;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the loss of any or all of this funding would be great
detriment to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the citizens of the state
of Missouri.
RESPONSE
MDC: The Department of Conservation appreciates the Federation's continued support of
the 1/8 of 1 cent sales tax. Missouri's economy - not to mention quality of life - is
built on diverse, high quality, and abundant natural resources. Twenty-six years ago,
three commitments were made to Missouri's citizens and legislature:
Give the Conservation Commission a 1/8 of 1 cent sales tax and they would provide
conservation services and programs that are the envy of the nation.
Give the Conservation Commission dedicated funding and they would not ask for general
revenue as they serve every county and maintain the necessary infrastructure to
support those services.
Give the Conservation Commission the funding to make fish and wildlife abundant, forests
sustainable, and our waters healthy and the Department will live within its means.
The Department of Conservation has remained true to its promise. With a fund representing
less than 1% of the total state budget, the Department ensures fish and wildlife are
abundant, forests sustainable, and that educational programs and services ranging
from elementary class settings to hunter education to landowner technical assistance
to intense training for rural volunteer firefighters are available. Visionaries who
poured their hearts into passage of the conservation sales tax by initiative petition
recognized stable funding was essential to Missouri's conservation future. Conservation
improvements are measured by decades, not fiscal years.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri
assembled at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March,
2003, recommends the DNR Land Reclamation Commission establish a rule for sand
and gravel mining excavation standards for all commercial operators.
RESPONSE
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri
assembled at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March,
2003, will support a reduced late-summer flow;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the regulation should be flexible and take into
account extreme weather conditions which would affect river flow and reservoir storage.
RESPONSE
MDC: The Department of Conservation appreciates the Federation's resolution. Management
of Missouri River and its water is a dramatically divisive issue. The Department will
continue to advance the concept and mechanics of a reduced summer flow proposed by
the Federation; in fact, the Department sees the Federation's proposal as ensuring a
Missouri River of many uses - for fish, wildlife, and recreation, but agriculture and
commerce as well. Unfortunately, in 2003, the issue was propelled into the courts, and
there's little expectation for quick resolution of the matter.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri
assembled at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March,
2003, urges USDA agencies, State Farm Services Agency Committee, Private Farm
Organizations, and Department of Agriculture to recognize the importance and inform
personnel of programs such as the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative and
MDC's Strategic Guidance for Northern Bobwhite Recovery and the 2002 Farm Bill.
RESPONSE
MDC: The Missouri Department of Conservation strongly supports the CFM resolution
urging support for restoration of northern bobwhite by agricultural stakeholders of
Missouri and the United States Department of Agriculture. Quail once thrived in Missouri's
pastures, hay and crop fields, and through wise management quail will flourish again.
MDC places the highest priority on partnerships with Missouri's agricultural community,
and we welcome the opportunity to work together at all levels, from the farmer's fields
to county, state and national offices, to restore this popular symbol of rural life.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri
assembled at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March,
2003, strongly oppose current legislation as outlined in SJR022 & SB683 and
similar proposals.
RESPONSE
MDC: Property the Department of Conservation manages in public trust contributes to
Missouri's quality of life providing recreational opportunities, economic stimulus
for communities, and diverse, high-quality areas for future generations. Surveys
indicate that over 70% of Missouri's citizens have spent time at a conservation area.
These areas play an important role in fulfilling our state's conservation mission.
Over the years, the Department has obtained management areas through purchasing
property from willing sellers, private donations, and use of federal dollars. Currently,
the Department is making the transition from purchasing additional conservation areas
to directing funds toward infrastructure and management on existing areas to enhance
public use.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conservation Federation of Missouri
assembled at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO, this 30th day of March,
2003, supports the passage of legislation that will improve water sports safety
for Missouri citizens.
RESPONSE
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