Monroe County residents will have an opportunity to view
a government proposal that, if implemented, could impact up to 225,000 acres of
local woodlands and farmland along the Mississippi River. The Middle
Mississippi River Partnership will host an open house Monday at the Monroe
County Annex, 900 Illinois Ave. The event will feature two sessions, 3–5
p.m. and 6-8 p.m. The Partnership consists of 16 member organizations including
the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological
Survey, Wildlife Forever, the Nature Conservancy, the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Southern Illinois
University Carbondale, Ducks Unlimited and others. The area in question, much
of which is currently privately owned, stretches from St. Louis to Cairo, Ill.,
and is habitat to eight federally endangered species including the Indiana bat,
the bald eagle, the pallid sturgeon and the fat pocketbook mussel. Another 20
state endangered or threatened species are found in the area. According to a
release from the Monroe County Farm Service Agency, the mission of the
partnership is "to address natural resource issues through public and private
resource management, compatible economic development, private lands
conservation and education and outreach to the citizens of the region." A
report on the partnership's draft corridor vision plan states:
—Implementation efforts will be based on planning and grassroots coalition
building that includes local citizens and all levels of government.
—Private property rights must be recognized in implementing conservation
projects and in offering solutions to natural resource issues. Voluntary
participation by landowners is the key for implementing conservation projects
that will meet resource needs. —All actions must appropriately reflect
scientific and economic data, as well as possess practical applications for
natural resource enhancement. —Any acquisition of land for conservation
purposes will be through voluntary methods and involve only willing sellers.
—Actions should be focused on the protection, restoration and enhancement
of the high quality natural resources that have the greatest potential for
recovery. Partnership members agree to: —Strive for continuous improvement
and assure the quality of projects and assistance will be maintained at the
highest standard. —Promote mutual respect, support, trust and honesty in
providing assistance on conservation efforts. —Share in the leadership,
ownership, credit and responsibility relating to conservation accomplishments.
—Consider social and economic concerns and issues in conservation projects
and activities. —Recognize agencies and organizations have different
missions and goals and participation levels may vary. The public is invited to
attend.
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