Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at Sullivan County Title, Harve Rhodes, Chairman of the North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission (NCMRWC), and Tricia Burkhardt, Executive Director of the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) finalized agreements to establish a perpetual conservation easement around the Roy Blunt Reservoir (RBR). The conservation easement is established to mitigate for the 1,236 acres of Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared bat habitat impacted by the construction of the RBR.
Under the Endangered Species Act, adverse impacts to the habitat of endangered species warrants compensation. Because of this, the NCMRWC established a 1,644-acre conservation easement. The goals and restrictions within the easement align with the NCMRWC’s plan to preserve clean water.
MCHF will monitor the easement for compliance. It will also enforce any violations of the uses of the easement. The NCMRWC is responsible for management and maintenance of the property in the easement for the preservation of bat habitat. Monitoring and management endowments have been established that will provide funding to the NCMRWC for habitat enhancement activities. These endowments will be managed by the MCHF.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the federal sponsor for the RBR, approved the easement and funded both endowments in this historic agreement.
Rhodes stated, “It took a number of years to forge this historic agreement. We are thrilled to partner with MCHF, who will not only help us facilitate and monitor the easement, but also opens the door for other conservation and recreation opportunities.”
Burkhardt added, “This project aligns with our mission to preserve, conserve and enhance our natural resources, while promoting opportunities to use, appreciate and enjoy them. We are excited to partner with the NCMRWC to advance initiatives that benefit citizens and conservation.”
