From left, Missouri Department of Conservation Director John Hoskins and Gov. Matt Blunt welcome Becky Plattner to the Missouri Conservation Commission. Blunt announced Plattner's appointment during a ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Grand Pass Conservation Area. (Rachel Harper/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Gov. Matt Blunt announced Tuesday, Aug. 7, he is appointing Saline County Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner to a position on the Missouri Conservation Commission.

Plattner will have several responsibilities as a conservation commissioner, serving as a Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) policy maker, approving wildlife code regulations, participating in strategic planning, helping with budget development and major expenditure decision making.

"I am proud to be in Saline County to appoint a life-long Saline County resident to the commission," Blunt said.

Blunt said Plattner was appointed because of her financial experience, management know-how and understanding of conservation.

"Having participated in the Conservation Reserve Program for many years on a personal and professional level, I appreciate the hand-in-hand cooperation displayed between Missouri Agriculture and the Conservation Commission," Plattner said in a news release from the governor's office. "I am deeply honored with my new appointment and look forward to continuing the partnership between Missouri Farmers and the Conservation Commission."

Plattner serves as financial manager of Plattner Brothers L.L.C. Custom Farming. She has served as a consultant to the Grand Pass Special Road District, Grand Pass Pump Levy District and Saline County Domestic Lighthouse Shelter.

The conservation commission is a four-member team with knowledge of and interest in wildlife conservation. No more than two members can be from the same political party.

Commission members do not receive salary or any other compensation, but they receive reimbursement for travel and other expenses.

Plattner is replacing Stephen C. Bradford, whose term expired July 1. She will serve a term of six years.

"I have always had a deep respect for Becky Plattner and am pleased the Governor chose an independent, forward-thinking individual with such a strong passion for Rural Missouri and agriculture to help fill this important position," state Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, said in the news release.

Director of the MDC John Hoskins said Plattner is the 47th commissioner. He said Plattner will make a great addition to the commission as she has first hand knowledge of conservation and can relate it to agriculture.

The announcement was made at the Grand Pass Conservation Area, which was established with the 1/8-cent sales tax that generates $100 million for fish, wildlife and forest management.

The area includes 5,296 acres with six miles fronting the Missouri River.

The conservation department purchased 2,100 acres in 1980, 2,611 acres in 1984 and 385 acres in 1994 and leased 200 more acres in 1986 to form Grand Pass Conservation Area.

The area consists of Missouri River bottomlands, including wetlands, adjacent river islands, agricultural units and timber tracts.

Waterways and pumps help manage these Missouri River wetlands and restore and maintain habitat for migratory wetland species and associated resident wildlife.

Hoskins said in Missouri 1.2 million residents fish, 500,000 residents hunt and 1.8 million like to watch these sports. MDC generates about 30,000 jobs in Missouri.

The MDC was formed when unregulated hunting, fishing and trapping and the abuse of forests had decimated the state's natural resources.

A constitutional amendment was drafted creating a non-political conservation agency.

Voters approved the amendment in 1936 by a margin of 71 to 29 percent. The amendment gave Missouri a conservation agency with exclusive authority over forests, fish and wildlife.

On the Net:

http://mdc.mo.gov/about/commission/

Contact Rachel Harper at

marshallcity@socket.net