A bill wants the state's Department of Conservation to be responsible for it's actions.

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9/ 8/2010: Radio Story - A proposal to reintroduce elk into Missouri is in the works.

10/25/2010: Radio Story - The Missouri Conservation Department says this year's deer population has declined.

Intro:	The state would be responsible for paying for your car crash under a bill.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Lawmakers listened to why the state should pay for accidents caused by the more than the new one-hundred 50 elk being re-introduced into Missouri.

One southern Missouri farmer Bobby Simpson supports the bill.

Simpson says if the department is certain that no accidents will happen, there should be no dispute about passing the bill and should take responsibility.

Actuality:	SIMPSON.WAV
Run Time:	00:17
Description: Simpson: "If MDC and their partners like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Appalachian Wildlife Fund really believe elk will stay at ranch and never cause a problem or damage to our crops, tear down our fences; or never be hit by a vehicle causing a loss of life, they should not be opposed to this legislation."

On the other side, the Department of Conservation says the re-introduction of elk will help the hunting industry.

There was no further action taken by the committee.

From Jefferson City, I'm Kyle Tons.

Intro:	Missouri's Department of Coservation spoke at a legislative meeting about paying for costs if your car smacks into an elk.
RunTime:	0:47
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The issue is the one-hundred-fifty elk that the department plans to release in Missouri, but have them pay for accidents the elk cause.

Southern Missouri rancher Jim Sample opposes the bill because it could allow future cases for damages caused by smaller-animals.

Actuality:	SAMPLE.WAV
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Description: Sample: "We are opening up a can of worms here in a way. And if this bill goes forward and it is put into law, we don't know what kind of problems we are going to have when it comes to other forms of wildlife."

Sample says making the department responsible for every wildlife-related demage could bankrupt the state agency.

On the other side, supporters of the bill are say if the department is confident that no elk-related damage will occur, it should not be an issue to pass the bill.

From Jefferson City, I'm Kyle Tons.

Intro:	A rural Missouri county official warns Missouri's Department of Conservation they are risking the lives of drivers and should pay for car-accidents.
RunTime:	0:40
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Plans to release more than 150 elk into Missouri this year could cause drivers some problems.

Commissioner of Dent County in southern Missouri Darrell (Daryl) Skiles (Sky-ls) says it's in an elk's nature to wander aimlessly and could cause some car-accidents.

Actuality:	SKILES.WAV
Run Time:	00:14
Description: Skiles: "Right now, somebody's mother, father, son, daughter, or other loved one is going to be seriously injured or killed in a vehicle collision with one of MDC's elk. And MDC will be standing there saying, 'hey, not our fault.'."

Other supporters say if the Department of Conservation has enough money to transport elk, then they have enough money to take responsibilty of elk-related crashes.

From Jefferson City, I'm Kyle Tons.