Public invited to share ideas about future management of Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area
News from the region:
St. Louis
Dan Zarlenga
Sep 03, 2019
St. CHARLES, Mo.-The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its more than 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. Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area in northern St. Charles County is among the areas under review.
MDC is inviting public comment regarding Marais Temps Clair to aid staff in developing a 25-year management plan for the 918-acrea conservation area. Interested persons or groups-including recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials and government agencies-are invited to view the proposed management plan at
mdc.mo.gov/areaplans The plan includes a link for supplying comments and input.
The plan will remain available for public comment during the month of September. The public comment period for the Marais Temps Clair plan will close Sept. 30.
MDC manages wetland and bottomland natural communities on the area to balance fish, forest, and wildlife resources with public recreational use. Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area provides hunting, trapping, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. There are 11 wetland pools with associated levees and one disabled-accessible waterfowl hunting blind for public use and enjoyment. To reach Marais Temps Clair, go north from St. Charles on Highway 94 to Route H. Follow Route H northeast to Island Road, and go north on Island Road to the 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.
MDC conservation areas cover almost one million public acres to restore and conserve forest, fish and wildlife resources, and provide 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.
