Our Opinion: Heal division between Legislature, Conservation

When powerful forces collide, the repercussions can be perilous.

Such is the case concerning the clash between the Missouri Legislature and state Department of Conservation, detailed in a story published in Tuesday's News Tribune.

Conservation is one of the few state agencies - Transportation is another - governed by its own appointed commission and largely financed by tax revenues not controlled by the Legislature.

Conflict between the two bodies boiled over last year when Conservation proposed strict rules to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, which can decimate the population of wild deer.

Lawmakers responded with a proposal to reclassify captive deer as "livestock" and transfer oversight of captive deer from Conservation to Agriculture.

Charges of arrogance and overreach have been exchanged.

Legislators allege Conservation officials are not forthcoming with information and are not accountable to the people, through their elected representatives.

Conservation supporters argue Missouri voters endorsed and approved the concept of an agency independent of political pressures. The arrogance label, some say, applies to lawmakers who insist their imprimatur must extend to every rule and policy.

Lawmakers flexed their muscles by proposing a range of laws and constitutional amendments to curb Conservation's budget and the power of both the commission and department.

We have opposed many of these measures because we believe they largely are motivated by the wrong reasons and would be detrimental to Missouri's conservation efforts.

None of those proposals was advanced during the legislative session that ended Friday, in part because improved communication between the Legislature and Conservation has de-escalated the conflict.

"I'm starting to get answers. They're slowly coming in," said state Rep. Bryan Spencer, R-Wentzville, "and they're in my office on a regular basis."

Conservation supporter Brandon Butler, executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, said agency officials "are doing a better job, and the waters are starting to really calm down. I think both sides are making some concessions and people are starting to really work together."

We're encouraged. Continued conflict threatens to dismantle Missouri's vital conservation programs. Communication and cooperation will help them thrive.