SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Three public hearings are scheduled later this month to discuss whether to introduce elk to Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will hold meetings Aug. 23 in Van Buren, Aug. 24 in Eminence and Aug. 26 in Ellington. The department also is taking written comments through Oct. 1.

The state Conservation Commission decided in July to resume the discussion of placing elk around the Peck Ranch Conservation Area in southern Missouri's Carter, Shannon and Reynolds counties.

The commission studied the feasibility of restoring Missouri's elk population 10 years ago. But those efforts were suspended because of concerns about chronic wasting disease and inadequate habitat.

The Springfield News-Leader reported that the conservation department is scheduled to present a proposed elk restoration plan to the commission at its Oct. 15 meeting in Jefferson City.