The State Auditor on Wednesday criticized the Missouri Department of Conservation for runaway expenses in its elk-restoration project, as well as flawed monetary controls and closed meetings, but gave the department an overall rating of “good” in a recent audit.

State Auditor Tom Schweich released a report showing the MDC did not include the cost of salaries, habitat improvements or monitoring in its cost estimates for the elk project.

The Department requested $411,185 to reintroduce 150 elk.

As of June 30, 2011, the MDC had spent more than $1.23 million to reintroduce just 39 elk, spending three times more to reintroduce about one-fourth as many elk as planned.

The report also noted the Missouri Conservation Commission and MDC staff might have violated the Sunshine Law when they met three times in closed session to discuss the project.

According to the report, the MDC did not have area management plans for 59% of applicable conservation areas and accessess. A previous audit was critical the MDC Had not prioritized such plans.

Schweich says the MDC needs to improve internal controls over procurement cards. He says MDC employees split transactions to avoid transaction limits or bidding requirements. The MDC agreed to pay a retired former employee at least $155,000 to write a book about Missouri rivers and streams. The MDC did not solicit bids or document its reasons for this sole source procurement.

For the complete audit report, Citizens Summary and the audit rating scale, visit: http://auditor.mo.gov/press/2011-120.htm