MDC seeks vandals who defaced Castor River Shut-Ins

Just one of nine areas of Missouri's only pink granite shut-ins that is defaced at Amidon Memorial Conservation Area. Anyone with information on who may have committed this crime is urged to contact the Missouri Conservation Department. Madison County Conservation Agent Scott Bumgardaner can be reached at (573)934-0824.

A favorite conservation area in the Southeast Region has been defaced. Vandals spray-painted over the only pink granite shut-ins in Missouri.

The Castor River Shut-ins Natural Area at Amidon Memorial Conservation Area (CA), near Fredericktown, is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and families. Photos submitted by foresters who maintain the area show nine spray-painted areas on what was a pristine view.

As someone who loves Missouri's natural areas, I find this lack of respect for such a precious resource absolutely ridiculous. As someone who's family has treasured memories of this area that crosses generations, this vandalism hits me personally. It would be a great disappointment for the area to be ruined for our future generations. As MDC's Forestry Regional Supervisor, Joe Garvey, pointed out, the victims of this crime include everyone who enjoys the shut-ins.

"Every citizen can look at this and say 'they just messed up my conservation area'," Garvey said. "This action demonstrates a complete lack of ethics and a lack of respect for nature, the people who take care of it and the people who enjoy it."

Garvey said MDC employees are considering the best methods to remove the spray paint. He said employees will take extra precautions in the clean-up process because the chemical agents that remove spray paint should not be released into the watershed at the shut-ins.

The picturesque granite at the shut-ins is from an igneous rock formation that is estimated to be 1.5 billion years old. Most of the exposed igneous rocks of the St. Francois Mountains region are rhyolite rather than granite.

"The majority of Missourians care about conservation and their natural areas," Garvey said. "Most Missourian's recognize that no one can make these beautiful natural areas that we have, we can only preserve them. But it takes less than an hour to mess them up."

The good news is that conservation agents are investigating this case. Conservation Agent District Supervisor, Russell Duckworth, asks that the public share any information involving this case with law enforcement.

"We are certainly looking forward to pursuing formal charges against the individuals who vandalized this area," Duckworth said.

Information may be reported by calling the MDC's Operation Game Thief toll-free number, 1-800-392-1111, which is manned 24-hours a day. Reports may remain anonymous. Duckworth said information leading to an arrest of those responsible could result in a cash reward. Information can also be shared by calling or texting Madison County Conservation Agent Scott Bumgardaner at (573)934-0824.