Constitutional Amendment Means Politics Back In Missouri Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

Constitutional Amendment Means Politics Back in Missouri Conservation

By Kenneth L. Kieser

“An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes that can be made in his subject, and how to avoid them.” Werner Heisenberg, Physics and Beyond

I am not a political activist. However, I have never been shy of writing or speaking my opinion when a bill or legislation concerns conservation or hunting and fishing, especially in Missouri.

There currently is a proposed constitutional amendment working its way through the State Capitol that would completely change the way conservation is regulated in Missouri. If approved by voters, SJR42 (Senator Schmitt from Kirkwood) and HJR57 (Representative Barnes from Jefferson City) would create a permanent Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, meaning, the General Assembly would govern conservation.

I have traveled the entire United States while writing about different types of hunting or fishing and seldom meet another state’s wildlife biologist or Conservation agent who is not familiar with Missouri’s quality Conservation Department. Many consider this group a model for how all conservation groups should be run. Missouri is envied by the Conservation world because of their successful programs and dedicated personnel.

“Missouri’s current system of allowing the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to govern is what makes Missouri one of the foremost conservation states in our country,” said Brandon Butler, executive director for the Conservation Federation of Missouri. “The fact that we don’t allow politics to override biological sense and public opinion ensures Missourians can trust the MDC to act in the best interest of conservation with no influence from special interest groups. In fact, recent surveys in the Missouri Conservationist show that nine out of 10 Missourians are interested in fish, forest and wildlife; 85% say they can trust MDC; and 73% say the Department is doing a good or excellent job. These are excellent approval ratings for our citizen-led Conservation Commission.”

The MDC is not perfect, they make mistakes. We all do. But they generally correct their mistakes and the majority of their programs are highly successful. So why would changes be necessary? More importantly, what do members of the General Assembly know about wildlife legislation?

The MDC spends considerable time conducting research and engaging citizens to gather input on hunting and fishing seasons, creating successful programs. Imagine a Timex department store clerk working on a finely tuned Swiss clock in perfect working order. A Swiss clock maker would be required to repair the costly clock after this amateur ruined the delicate mechanism. MDC personnel are highly trained experts in their chosen fields of certain kinds of wildlife or habitat. Their decisions, with public input, should never be hindered. We don’t need lobbyist, special interest groups and legislators setting deer and turkey seasons.

“If SJR 42 or HJR57 were to pass, rules brought forth for the MDC would be passed through a General Assembly approval process,” Butler said. “According to the language in this bill, “Any rule disapproved by majority vote of the committee shall be held in abeyance and not effective until the conclusion of certain legislative and judicial action.” If the General Assembly could not agree on the opening day of deer season, instead of sitting on a hillside waiting on a buck you’ll be at home waiting on politicians to decide when to allow you to hunt. That’s not what I want. Doubt you do either.”

Butler, a former public affairs specialist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, learned from experience that many states have politically tied conservation departments, and one thing the employees of those state agencies have in common is the collective wish for the elimination of bureaucracy in the governing of conservation. Currently, the MDC is governed by the Conservation Commission that is made up of four commissioners that serve statewide, serving both urban and rural Missouri. No more than two commissioners may be of the same political party. The checks and balances come with the appointment of volunteer citizens by the Governor and confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

This process has worked for more than 75 years and serves as a successful track record. Our current conservation governing system is truly an apolitical, scientific-based agency and must stay that way. Missouri does not need to go back to partisan-politic days. Missouri was there once, and legislative politics watched as our natural resources disappeared.

The citizen-led Conservation Commission is responsible for approving or disapproving all regulations promulgated by MDC. The rules passed by the Conservation Commission do not go to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules/General Assembly for final approval. In this sense, our MDC is unique, as it has been since the 1936 constitutional amendment that created the Conservation Commission.

MDC is never going to please everyone. No organization of the masses can. However, MDC goes to great lengths to gather citizen input through public meetings, outreach efforts, workshops, online surveys, and research prior to proposing and setting rules.

We need you!

“Missouri is an exceptionally blessed state when it comes to the natural resources we have here,” Butler said. “The system we have in place for the governance of conservation isn’t broken. On the contrary, it is the shining example in our nation of how conservation should be governed. We cannot allow SJR42 or HJR57 to pass. You must contact your elected officials and adamantly express your desire for leaving the Conservation Commission in charge of deciding what is right for Missourians.”

Please contact your local legislators and voice disapproval. You can look up the bill up online to learn more by Googling Missouri Bill Hjr57. Don’t sit back and wait for this damaging issue to pass, act now if your love nature or hunting and fishing in the Show-Me State.

[Old plug]

It is my understanding this law covers control of a lot more than just conservation. It is a good example of what happens when any one party controls to much of the legislative branch. Now all tou need is a executive bramch controlled buy the same party that controls the legislative branch and they will roll right over you. Its not important anymore to do the right thing or the best thing. It is all about doing the party thing. There are far to ,any in this country would love to see that.