CONSERVATION COMMISSION AGREES TO IMPROVE LAKE GIRARDEAU

The Missouri Conservation Department will spend $75,000 to improve Lake Girardeau.

The Conservation Commission approved the spending at its meeting Wednesday in St. Louis.

The money will be used to install two new handicapped-accessible, precast concrete privies, construct a pavilion and a new trail, renovate the existing fishing dock, build another fishing dock and install new barbecue grills.

John Smith, the department's deputy director, said the improvements are slated to be made during the fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Smith said the money will come from funds that, as a result of a court ruling, no longer have to be set aside for Hancock Amendment tax refunds.

Longtime fisherman Doug Flannery of Whitewater has complained for months that the lake grounds have been poorly maintained by the Conservation Department's forestry division.

The Conservation Department has boarded up the handicapped restrooms and turned off the water. There are four privies at the lake, but none are handicapped accessible.

Flannery charged earlier this year that the Conservation Department has ruined the 162-acre lake near Crump by fertilizing it and stocking it with predatory muskies.

He and other fishermen have said they are catching fewer bass, bluegill and crappie.

After months of repeated complaints to Conservation Department officials, Flannery voiced his concerns at the commission meeting.

The commissioners referred the muskie issue to staff for further review.

After the meeting, the head of the Conservation Department's fisheries division vowed to quit stocking the lake with muskies, Flannery said.

Flannery had wanted the muskies removed, but he said he was pleased with the promise.

Flannery said he was "overwhelmed" by the actions of the commission and Conservation Department staff.

He said he and other local fishermen were thrilled by the state's commitment to improve the lake.

"I really thought we were going to have to fight tooth and toenail to get a pavilion," he said.

But Flannery said the commission approved spending money for the improvements even before he got up to speak.

He and other local fishermen plan to meet with Conservation Department officials to look at whether fertilizing the lake is hurting the fish population.

Flannery said Commissioner Ronald Stites has indicated he will help local residents set up a non-profit organization to help improve the lake.

The Masonic lodges in Jackson and Whitewater have voted to adopt the lake, Flannery said.

Flannery said the group of about 25 local fishermen wants to work with the Conservation Department.

"Now that the screaming and hollering is over, we have to get our act together and all work toward one goal," he said. "We want to encourage a real open forum between the public and the Conservation Department to go on with this," said Flannery.

Flannery maintained that public criticism prompted the Conservation Department to commit to improving the lake.

But the Conservation Department's Smith said the proposed improvements to the grounds have been on the drawing board for some time.

Said Smith, "We have been well aware of the Lake Girardeau issue for quite some time."