February 2024 Conservation Commission Action

The Missouri Conservation Commission met Feb. 15 for a workshop followed by closed executive session and Feb. 16 for its regular open meeting. All were held at MDC 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
• Public Comment from Ben Martin of Pacific on Lone Hill Onyx Cave
• Overview of MDC’s Bat and Cave Conservation Programs — Tony Elliott, Terrestrial Diversity Unit Supervisor
• Report of the Regulations Committee – Jason Sumners, Deputy Director and Chair, Regulations Committee
• Proposed Revisions to Ginseng Regulations — Malissa Briggler, State Botanist
• Financial Report - Fiscal Year 2024 Mid-Year Review of Revenue and Expenditure Trends — Andrew Bond, Chief Financial Officer
• Fiscal Year 2024 Mid-Year Review of Major Construction Projects and Major Construction Projects Status Report — Jacob Careaga, Infrastructure Management Branch Chief
• Proposed policy on Information Technology’s Account Management — Doug Fees, Information Technology Branch Chief

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

• Approved recommendations for changes to the Wildlife Code identified during the annual review.
• Approved consideration of a bid for construction of the Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area Well Improvement Phase I Project located in Mississippi County.
• Approved authorization to increase the previously approved contingency fund for the existing contract for construction of the Shepherd of the Hills Intermediate Raceways Replacement Project located in Taney County.
• Approve the recommendation to change the names to the following education facilities as listed:
• Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center,
• August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center,
• Lake City Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, and
• Parma Woods Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center.
• Approved the naming of the Dr. Harry and Lina Berrier Memorial Tract to Sons Creek Conservation Area in Dade County.
• Approved the purchase of approximately 75 acres in Pettis County as an addition to the Paint Brush Prairie Conservation Area.
• Approved the purchase of approximately 176 acres in Harrison County as an addition to the Wayne Helton Memorial Conservation Area.
• Approved the purchase of approximately 30 acres in Lewis County as an addition to Deer Ridge Conservation Area.
• Approved the exchange of four tracts totaling approximately 213 acres of Clubb Creek Conservation Area in Bollinger County for two tracts consisting of approximately 308 acres as an addition to Castor River Conservation Area in Bollinger County.
• Approved the suspension or revocation of one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of 47 individuals for cause:
  1. Phillip L. Applegate, Morrisville, All Sport, Add 7 Years to current revocation, which will change to All Sport upon Commission decision;
  2. Justin W. Bachman, Chillicothe, Hunting, 3 Years;
  3. Ira W. Ball III, New London, All Sport, 2 Years;
  4. Brian K. Benne, Pocahontas (IL), Hunting, 1 Year;
  5. Drew G. Buersmeyer, Westphalia, Fishing, 2 Years;
  6. Travis W. Corbin, Sullivan, Hunting, 1 Year;
  7. Timothy J. Coterel, Sedalia, Hunting, 2 Years;
  8. Joseph R. Cox, Chillicothe, Hunting, 2 Years;
  9. Dalton D. Croslow, Crocker, All Sport, 1 Year;
  10. Levi J. Cureton, Glen Allen, All Sport, 1 Year;
  11. Deborah K. Donley, Coweta (OK), All Sport, 1 Year;
  12. William C. Dowling, House Springs, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
  13. Lawson D. Endicott, Kansas City (KS), All Sport, 1 Year;
  14. Kevin J. Evans, Paris, Hunting, Add 1 Year to current revocation;
  15. Jeffrey R. Farris, Lake Ozark, All Sport, Add 1 Year to current revocation;
  16. John D. Farris, Sullivan, Hunting, 1 Year;
  17. Lee R. Fortney, Hannibal, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
  18. William C. Goff, Mount Olive (IL), Hunting, 4 Years;
  19. Dustin L. Harmon, Greenfield, Hunting, 13 Years;
  20. Timothy L. Harrison, Louisiana, All Sport, 2 Years and cannot register to sell ginseng while revoked;
  21. Terry A. Jackson, Jefferson City, All Sport, 1 Year;
  22. Kenneth J. Knowles, Milton (FL), Hunting, 2 Years;
  23. Grant A. Laughlin, St. James, All Sport, 1 Year;
  24. Conner J. Monnig, Camdenton, Hunting, 1 Year;
  25. Jodi K. Parsons, Mountain Grove, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
  26. Jeremy Peters, Crocker, All Sport, 1 Year;
  27. Van H. Peuh, Cassville, All Sport, Add 1.5 Years to current revocation, which will change to All Sport upon Commission decision;
  28. Shane L. Phillips, Cole Camp, Fishing, 2 Years;
  29. Alex L. Pixley, Aurora, Hunting, 7 Years;
  30. Phillip C. Pulley, Ironton, Hunting, 1 Year;
  31. Jesus Robles, Branson West, Fishing, 1 Year;
  32. James W. Rogers, Warsaw, All Sport, 2 Years;
  33. Bryan J. Schaffer, Jefferson City, All Sport, 1 Year;
  34. Vitaliy Shevchenko, Sedalia, All Sport, 1 Year;
  35. Jonathan D. Shrock, Middletown, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
  36. Ryan S. Smith, Saint Joseph, All Sport, 3 Years;
  37. Korey W. Steele, Elsberry, Hunting, 1 Year;
  38. Terry Swift, Windsor, All Sport, 2 Years;
  39. Michael L. Tesh, Eldon, Fishing, 1 Year;
  40. Leonid V. Tsurkan, Sedalia, All Sport, 1 Year;
  41. Brandy L. Vaughan, Edgar Springs, All Sport, 1 Year:
  42. Patrick L. Vaughan, Edgar Springs, All Sport, 1 Year;
  43. Ricky O. Woods, Cedar Hill, Hunting, 1 Year;
  44. Alan G. Yount, Marquand, Hunting, 2 Years;
  45. Ethan E. Forkner, Richards, Hunting, Revoked until 3/2/2025;
  46. Ty N. Thomas, Nevada, Hunting, Revoked until 3/2/2025; and
  47. Juvenile, Hunting, Revoked until 12/28/2028, Must also successfully re-take Hunter Education course before privileges are reinstated.
• Approved updates to Master Conservationist and Hall of Fame criteria.
• Set the next open meeting for April 5.