Comment from Missouri DU State recruitment director
Missouri DU State recruitment directorSupportIndividual
Summary: The commenter supports maintaining the current rule regarding drain tile setbacks, arguing that it protects critical waterfowl habitat and conservation easements. They express concern that weakening these protections would harm waterfowl populations and hunting opportunities.
The current rule is working. It protects critical waterfowl habitat, provides certainty for landowners through science-based setback plans, and preserves the integrity of conservation easements that have delivered enormous benefits for wildlife and hunters alike.
Weakening these protections could open the door to the drainage of federally protected wetlands at a time when waterfowl populations are already under pressure and hunting opportunities face increasing challenges.
The stakes are simple: No wetlands. No waterfowl. No hunting heritage.
I am urging you to maintain this proven rule and uphold more than six decades of conservation success.
Thank you