MDC seeks public input on plans for Grand River accesses

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News from the region
Northwest
Published Date
03/01/2017
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Chillicothe, 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 access areas for the Grand River in northwest Missouri. Plans for the areas will be available for public comment through March 31.

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

The sites in the proposed 20-year management plan include: Andy Denton Access, Bosworth Access, Coval Gann - Chillicothe Access, Green Access, Holmes Bend Access, Mockingbird Hill Access, Newman Memorial Access, Savage Access, Sowards Ford Access, Sumner Access, and Wabash Crossing Access. The accesses range from two to 121 acres in size. They offer bank fishing access and some offer concrete boat ramps. The accesses are located in Daviess, Gentry, Worth, Livingston, Carroll and Chariton counties.

Fishing in the Grand River is a main recreational activity. Birding and hiking opportunities are also available.

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 its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.