MISSOURI: Incentives for Conservation

The Landowners Assisting Wildlife Survival Program
The Department of Conservation offers rental payments for habitat, green payments, cost share and in kind assistance to landowners under the program (est. 1996). The program targets winter food and/or brood rearing habitat adjacent to hard cover for upland wildlife on private agricultural land, and provides payment per acre per year to landowners who plant grain leave it in the fields for wildlife. It benefits primarily upland wildlife species, and early successional species. Participants are required to sign an agreement for two years and must leave a minimum of 10 ft. of crop adjacent to hard cover or other suitable cover for wildlife food. Livestock must be excluded and the crop must be left unharvested throughout the contract period. There are currently 720 acres enrolled in the program. The program pays a flat rate of $150/acre/yr. for corn, mil, cane sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and a payment of $75/acre for standing small grains. Funding comes from general revenue, the hunting and fishing license fee, dedicated sales tax for conservation purposes, and some federal money. $215,000 was spent in the last fiscal year.
>> Direct Financial Payments

The Landowner Cost Share Program
The Private Land Services Division of the Department of Conservation is responsible for this program, which provides financial assistance to landowners as an incentive to implement practices beneficial to the state's forest, fish and wildlife resources. Private landowners are eligible to receive technical and financial assistance to implement fish, forest, natural community and wildlife resource improvement activities. Program funds are distributed through regional conservation teams based on regional resource priorities. In FY2001, over $880,000 was distributed to landowners; technical assistance was provided to 6,330 private landowners. Over 300,000 acres of property were impacted by these services. The program includes cooperative agreements and partnerships with non-governmental organizations such as Ducks Unlimited.
>> Direct Financial Payments, Education/Technical Assistance

The Economic Diversification and Afforestation Act
The legislation was established in 1990, and provides payments to landowners to improve soil conservation, improve air and water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat. MO. REV. STAT. § 252.300.
>> Direct Financial Payments

The Landowner Assistance Program
The Department of Conservation offers in kind assistance, cost share, technical assistance, education and recognition through the program. All divisions within the Department share a collective $1 million a year for landowners on a cost share basis for different practices such as riparian fencing, alternative watering systems, equipment and labor for other wildlife friendly practices such as streambank stabilization practices, cave protection (gates), planting of grasses, levee removal, and prescribed burning. Different divisions utilize the cost share dollars depending on the goals of the agency, such as forestry assistance, wildlife, fisheries, or threatened and endangered species. In its present form the program has existed for two years; in an earlier form since the early '80's and is available on private lands. Cost share payments must not exceed $15,000 per landowner per year (50% for all approved practices, can increase to 75% for critical practices). Currently there are 13,500 contacts with landowners overall. Funding comes from a statewide sales tax at $800,000-$1 million annually.
>> Direct Financial Payments, Education/Technical Assistance, Recognition Program

Incentives for Forest Land Management
The Department of Conservation, Division of Forestry, offers technical assistance and cost share for timber stand improvement, advice on tree planting, pest identification and guidance in wildlife habitat improvement. The program benefits all fish and wildlife in forest lands. All landowners, including urban residents are eligible.
>> Direct Financial Payments, Education/Technical Assistance

Conservation Easements
Conservation easements are statutorily authorized. MO. REV. STAT. § 67.880.
>> Property Rights Tools

Contacts:

Department of Conservation
Private Land Services Division
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-4115
http://www.conservation.state.mo.us

Wildlife Division
Dept. of Conservation
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-4115

Planning and Development
Dept. of Natural Resources
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-5374

Natural Heritage Database
Dept. of Conservation
2901 W. Truman Blvd.
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180
(573) 751-4115

Forestry Management Assistance
State Forester
Department of Conservation
2901 W. Truman Blvd.
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180
http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/landown/forest/forstmng

If you know of current information, please email us at kkelly@defenders.org. To learn more about this state, see the other categories to the right.