MDC seeks public input for Grand Pass Conservation Area

MARSHALL, 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. Draft plans for the Grand Pass Conservation Area are available for public comment through October 31.

To preview draft management plans and share comments online, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.

Grand Pass Conservation Area offers 3,501 acres in the Missouri River bottoms of Saline County. Most of the area is managed as a wetland complex. The area is popular with waterfowl hunters. Some wetland acreage is designated as a wildlife refuge. The area is a good place for birding. Spring migrations of waterfowl and shorebirds offers wildlife photography opportunities.

Statewide, 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.

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