Biological Diversity Policy

Missouri does not have a legally binding biodiversity policy, but the Missouri Biodiversity Council is implementing recommendations developed by the Missouri Biodiversity Task Force in a March 1992 publication, The Biodiversity of Missouri. Administrators from 12 agencies and organizations are current members of the Council. Their actions are directed through the Missouri Biodiversity Coordinating Committee. Two project proposals have recently been endorsed by the Council, the Missouri Ecological Classification Project and the Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership. Agency members are on record supporting the management of biological diversity in Missouri. Both the Department of Conservation and the DNR Division of State Parks have a written policy emphasizing the maintenance and restoration of natural landscapes. Other related policies include a declaration from the General Assembly that wetlands are a vital natural resource. (Mo. Rev. Stat. 21.475) The Land Reclamation Act recognizes the need to preserve natural resources and to aid in the protection of wildlife and aquatic resources. (Mo. Rev. State. 444.762)

Status of Biodiversity Science

Missouri has a coordinated assessment system in place. In 1995 Missouri completed a statewide natural features inventory and this information is available to planners, agencies, conservation organizations and private landowners through the Heritage Database. The Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership (MoRAP) is a newly initiated effort to provide comprehensive state-level resource assessment and planning. Fifteen projects are under development, including an ecological classification system, current land cover, statewide hypsography, statewide soils, historic vegetations, aquatic resources, animal/plant distribution, public land ownership, resource commodities, special features, recreation information, potential environmental impacts and human dimensions. MoRAP will incorporate GAP and other assessment systems.

Endangered Species

Missouri has authority to protect state and federal listed species through state statute. Endangered species protection includes both animals and plants using a multiple species approach. (Mo. Rev. State. 252.240) Listings are based on scientific evidence. Violations of the law constitute a misdemeanor. Recovery plans, critical habitat designation and agency consultation are not required by law but are routinely developed for high priority species.

State Agency Management for Biodiversity

State-owned Lands

Natural resource agencies in Missouri are not required by state to plan and manage their lands in a biologically sustainable manner. However, both the Department of Conservation and the DNR Division of State Parks manage significant acreage of public land for natural communities and native biological diversity. Missouri has a comprehensive Natural Areas Program whose goal is to identify, protect and manage the best examples of all extant natural communities in each Natural Section of every Natural Division of Missouri. The Missouri Natural Areas Committee (MoNAC) includes membership from state and federal resource agencies and private organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the Missouri Prairie Foundation. Presently over 36,250 acres are protected and managed as Missouri Natural Areas. Missouri also has a broad-based volunteer program to protect streams and improve water quality. Streams for the Future is active statewide on both public and private land. State Parks place special emphasis on restoration of unique natural communities on park lands through the Special Ecological Management Policy.

Cooperative Efforts

Missouri state agencies engage in cooperative efforts to improve land management across ownership boundaries. The primary mechanism to coordinate resource planning is a new program called Coordinated Resource Management. CRM is a long-term program involving state and federal agencies and private citizens to conserve ecosystems and create opportunities for outdoor recreation. Under CRM the state is divided into ten regions based on landscape biological diversity. CRM is built upon a long history of cooperation between the Department of Conservation and federal agencies such as the USFS, NPS and NRCS.

State Agency Training

Missouri has not developed programs that train managers specifically for biodiversity, but managers from both the Department of Conservation and DNR Division of State Parks receive training on fire management, exotic species control and restoration of native habitats.

Impact Assessment

Missouri does not have a "little NEPA." However, by policy certain areas of the state receive monitoring and assessment for Impact development.

Habitat Acquisition

Missouri has several programs designed to acquire lands because of their biodiversity, ecological or fish and wildlife values. Design for Conservation has provided the Department of Conservation funds to expand public lands for fish and wildlife and improved access to the outdoors. The program is funded by a constitutionally mandated state sales tax of 1/8 of one percent, providing approximately $64 million per year. The MDC Natural History Division acquires land that specifically targets endangered species, natural areas and urban wild acres, but many of the lands acquired for other purposes also have biodiversity values. The Department of Natural Resources benefits from a 1/10 of one percent sales tax which is equally divided between state parks and soil conservation. The State Park Adjacent Lands program acquires lands for the preservation of natural and cultural resources and recreation, a program that has provided approximately $500,000 per year to the State Park Adjacent Lands Fund.

Private Land Conservation

Missouri has private land programs that include education, technical assistance and incentives to protect and manage native fish and wildlife. Under the Missouri Economic Diversification and Afforestation Act, land for habitat is exchanged for monetary payments. Partners for Prairie Wildlife and Streams for the Future are two innovative programs that reach private landowners. A Forest Stewardship Program brings private lands under a broad scale multi-resource manacement plan, though it is only beginning to address biological diversity opportunities. Finally, conservation easements are authorized by statute. (Mo. Rev. Stat. 67.880)

Exotic Species

Missouri has some laws and regulations designed to control the introductions and spread of exotic species. (Mo. Code Regs. tit. 2, 30-2.01 D; Mo. Code Regs. tit. 3, 10-9.353; Mo. Rev. Stat. 277.022) By regulation, all ungulates must have an entry permit and a veterinary inspection prior to entry into the state. The importation of skunks and raccoons is also prohibited. For plants, several state statutes govern noxious weeds and noxious weed seeds. (Mo. Rev. Stat. 263.190; .205, .230, .241, .250) Specific plants have been designated by statute as noxious weeds and private landowners are required to control their growth.

Predator or Animal Damage Control Activities

Missouri has an animal damage control program that is run cooperatively by the federal government. The federal agency takes care of migratory bird issues, while the state deals with mammal problems. In addition, by statute private landowners are authorized to control animals causing crop damage.

Additional Legal Protection for Biodiversity

The state constitution mandates the protection, conservation and enhancement of the state's bird, fish, game, forestry and wildlife resources. (Mo. Const. art. IV, 40(a))

Related Issues

The Department of Conservation, Division of Education provides materials that educate the public about fish and wildlife resources. The state does not participate in Project WILD, but is currently evaluating the opportunity and may join in the near future. Both the Department of Conservation and the DNR Division of State Parks have nature centers and interpretive programs that reach millions of Missourians every year with information about fish and wildlife and biological diversity. The Department of Conservation has recently produced Missouri's Conservation Atlas, A Guide to Exploring Your Conservation Lands, and a Missouri Nature Viewing Guide, although the viewing guide is not part of the Watchable Wildlife series.

Missouri passed a takings bill in 1994. The law requires state agencies to prepare a review of all proposed regulations, but does not require payments to affected property owners. (Mo. Rev. Stat. 536.01)

Contacts:

Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 630
1616 Missouri Blvd.
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-751-4211

Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180
573-751-4115

Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-3443

State Extension Service
University of Missouri
309 University Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-7754