News Release No. 389

INFORMATIONAL MEETING PLANNED DEC. 10 FOR JOHNSON'S SHUT-INS AND TAUM SAUK MOUNTAIN STATE PARKS AND ROGER PRYOR PIONEER BACKCOUNTRY

Volume 32-389

Contact: Sue Holst

(For immediate release)

573-751-6510

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 1, 2004 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will hold an informational meeting Friday, Dec. 10, to discuss issues related to Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park near Lesterville, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park near Ironton and Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry in Shannon County. The meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the old park office building at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park.

Representatives from Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park will be at the meeting to present information about all three areas and to answer questions. At the start of the meeting, a new video about the St. Francois Mountains titled "Mountains of Antiquity" will be shown. Following the video, discussions will focus on completed and future projects for both state parks and the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry, which is managed by the park. Visitors are invited to share comments on the parks' facilities and services.

This informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort by the department to ensure that the public has input on facilities and services offered in state parks and historic sites.

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park is located eight miles north of Lesterville on Highway N in Reynolds County. Persons requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the park directly at 573-546-2450 or by calling the department's toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at www.mostateparks.com.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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