BIODIVERSITY IN LOWER OZARKS; ALL NOT EXCITED ABOUT PROJECT

A lot of people don't think the idea of a long-range coordinated resource management program is a good one.

Count Carl Houser as one who does.

"I think it's a great idea," said Houser. "It's an opportunity to get government agencies and citizens working together to plan for the long-term health of Missouri's natural resources."

Gail Francis, a Bollinger County native and owner of a campground on the Castor River, is in the former group.

Francis and a group from Bollinger County are not so sure about the idea. Francis is concerned what such a program will do to his and other campground areas along the Castor River.

Recently, he helped arrange a rally at Woodland High School near Marble Hill to let citizens present their views on what they refer to as "ecosystem development."

About 100 citizens turned out for the meeting attended by Missouri Department of Conservation representatives.

The concept of Coordinated Resource Management dates to 1992, when a six-person task force was formed to define biodiversity in the state.

Missouri is one of the most biologically diverse areas in North America, "due primarily to its central location and physiographic richness," said Houser, a forestry field programs supervisor who is acting as interim facilitator for the new CRM project.

This biodiversity is illustrated by its more than 20,000 animal species and 5,000 plant species that find sanctuary in the state's variety of habitats.

One recommendation of the Biodiversity Task Force was to focus natural resource planning on a regional scale to protect the biological diversity for plants and animals.

"However, the important thing here is that it be understood that long-term conservation of native plants and animals cannot be accomplished without considering human use and enjoyment of these resources," Houser said.

"Citizen input is the answer," he said. "The need for participation from landowners, state and federal agencies and the general citizenry was obvious."

Thus, CRM was born.

"The purpose of the program is simple," said Houser. "We want to maintain the state's diversity, sustaining our natural environment and good human living conditions."

The project's goals:

-- Conserve healthy ecosystems and restore those that are disappearing or are in short supply.

-- Maintain and create opportunities for outdoor recreation, education and interpretation.

-- Sustain production of natural resource commodities consistent with Missouri's economy, lifestyles and traditions.

Seven natural resource agencies participate in the program. The agencies are the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Natural Resources Conservation Services, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.

Fifty-year goals are being drafted for the CRM process. "This is a three-pronged process," explained Houser. One prong represents the current inventory, status and trends of a region's natural resources.

"We have to know what we have before we can make any assessments of what we need or want," added Houser.

The second prong represents agency input and the third prong represents public input.

"This includes identification of issues by the citizenry in each region through public meetings, surveys and personal contacts," said Houser. Public input also provides for a review of regional plans.

Once data have been gathered in a region, goals will be drafted and sent out for review. Plans will then be finalized.

The state was divided into 10 regions for the CRM program, with the Lower Ozark Region selected as the first site. This region includes all or parts of 11 counties, including areas in Bollinger, Wayne, Carter and Butler counties.

Houser said some 250 people attended sessions at Park Hills, Poplar Bluff and Eminence.

"We are in the process of preparing the second draft of the Lower Ozarks Region now," said Houser. "And we have started work on a second region in the state, the Grand Rivers area in the North Central area of Missouri. We have already conducted some meetings there."

Once the second draft of the Lower Ozarks is completed, the CRM group will again conduct meetings in Eminence, Poplar Bluff and River Hills before completing any final plans.

"Once plans are completed, we'll start working toward goals," said Houser.

"CRM is the biggest public coordination project the department has ever been involved in," said Houser. "The department has met with more people and discussed more topics than ever before."

Issues discussed at the meetings were water quality, property rights, economic interests, natural resources, timber management and population growth.

Ozarks area residents don't want to see "too much" change, and they don't want to be forced to sell their lands.

"We realize this, and we will not support any program designed to lock up large areas that are off limits for humans," Houser said. "Our goal is to accommodate the people. We're willing to hold more public meetings, take more ideas and try to clear up any misconceptions."

Q/A

Q: What is CRM?

A: Coordinated Resource Management.

Q: But, what is it really?

A: A coordinated process which allows various agencies in Missouri to work together with the public in the planning for long-term resource protection, management and use of nature resources in the state.

Q: Who is involved with this?

A: Seven natural resource agencies are participants along with citizens of the state. They are: Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Services, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish &I Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Services and National Park Service.

Q: Why CRM?

A: Missouri's plant and animals play an important role in sustaining long-range natural environment and good human living conditions. There is need to coordinate management efforts ensuring public input in to the process.

Q: This is statewide?

A: Yes. The state is divided into 10 areas. The first project is in the Lower Ozark area, which includes all or portions of Bollinger, Butler and Wayne counties. Next on the list is the Grand Rivers Area in North Central Missouri.

Q: How does it work?

A: Meetings are conducted in various areas, designed to discuss issues and answer questions. The information is placed in a "Draft." Other meetings will then be established to determine any final changes for a plan.

Q: Will I have to sell some of my property?

A: CRM may ask to purchase some small pieces of property here and there, but only with permission of the landowner. In the Lower Ozark Region, the state already owns about 25 percent of the property. Officials say that additional land may not be necessary.

Q: What is the big concern of the public?

A: In many instances, CRM goals call for opportunities compatible with citizen demand. But, CRM also refers to potential threats as over-exploitation, overuse, and habitat loss and other phrases which lead to discontent of the citizenry.

Q: What are some of the goals of CRM?

Goals I through V address the biological diversity of the region. Goals VI through IX attempt to achieve the balance between the protection of natural resources and their use.

The first five goals seek to maintain and improve Aquatic Ecosystems; protect and manage Forest Ecosystems; protect, manage and/or restore prairies and glades; maintain and restore regionally uncommon, natural communities (caves, sinkholes, cliffs); and maintain, restore and enhance populations of rare, threatened and endangered species.

Other goals include providing outdoor recreational opportunities, compatible with citizen demand and maintaining natural resources import to local economy of the area.

Q: Will all of this have any effect on tourism?

A: One of the goals (VI) of CRM is to provide outdoor recreational opportunities. In the Lower Ozark Region, tourism and travel amounted to more than $245 million in 19093, generating 5,000 jobs and $67 million in wages. Much of the tourism results from fishing.