WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
NEWS RELEASE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
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August 28, 1997
Contact: Margaret Ainscough (360) 902-2408

Public meetings set on western Washington elk herd plans

OLYMPIA -- Two September public meetings are planned to answer questions and take comments on three westside elk herd plans prepared by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The plans for the Saint Helens, South Rainier and Willapa Hills elk herds are the first batch of 10 herd plans the department is preparing. The plans contain information on elk distribution, objectives and strategies for herd and habitat management, and research and spending priorities. A 1996 final environmental impact statement for elk management serves as the basis for the herd plans.

The public meetings will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Although each of the meetings features a specific herd plan, questions and comments will be taken on any of the three plans at either meeting.

The herd plans and meeting dates include:

  • Willapa Hills Sept. 16 at Swiss Hall in Frances (Pacific County). The hall is located 16 miles east of Raymond off Swiss Picnic Road, off Elk Prairie Road, off Highway 6.
  • South Rainier and Saint Helens Sept. 17 at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 Columbia Way in Vancouver.
Written comments also are being taken on the plans and should be sent by Sept. 30 to Tom McCall, Wildlife Management Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia WA 98501-1091.

Copies of the herd plans may be requested by writing to the Wildlife Management Program at the above address or by calling (360) 902-2515.

Other elk herd plans will be completed and available for public review later this year.