The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. The Missouri Department of Conservation-managed lands bordering Stockton Lake is among the areas currently under review.

MDC is inviting the public to provide comments about the Stockton Lake Management Lands to aid staff in developing a 15-year management plan for the popular public use area. Interested persons or groups – including recreational users, neighboring landowners, conservation groups, elected officials and government agencies – can preview the draft management plan and share comments online Feb. 1-28 at www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.

MDC staff will review comments as they finalize a management plan for the Stockton Lake Management Lands. Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how best to incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, it’s physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.

MDC’s Stockton Lake Management Lands comprise 16,572 acres in Cedar, Dade and Polk counties. This area is managed for wildlife associated with grassland, old field, glade, wetland, woodland and forest resources with emphasis on upland game. Fisheries resources are managed to maximize recreational sportfishing opportunities on the area. Included in MDC’s Stockton Lake Management Lands is one boat ramp, a 14-mile hike/bike/horse trail, a 1.1-mile hiking trail, and a wildlife viewing blind for public use.

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