WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
NEWS RELEASE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
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November 10, 1997
Contact: Margaret Ainscough, (360) 902-2408 or Madonna Luers, (509) 456-4073

Meetings to focus on Eastside elk plans

OLYMPIA -- Four eastern Washington elk herd plans will be the topic of a series of December public meetings sponsored by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Plans for the Blue Mountains, Colockum, Selkirk and Yakima elk herds are the second set among 10 herd plans the department is preparing. The plans contain information on elk distribution and objectives and strategies for herd and habitat management, research and spending priorities. A 1996 final environmental impact statement for elk management serves as the basis for the herd plans.

Public meetings were held in September on plans for the Saint Helens, South Rainier and Willapa herds.

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 seven plans that have been prepared to date at any meeting.

Elk herd plans and meeting dates include:

  • Colockum Herd Dec. 8, Doubletree Inn (formerly Red Lion), 1225 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee.
  • Yakima Herd Dec. 9, Days Inn, 2408 Rudkin Road, Union Gap. Blue Mountains Herd Dec. 10, Clarkston High School, 401 Chestnut, Clarkston.
  • Selkirk Herd Dec. 11, Spokane County Health District Auditorium, 1101 W. College Ave., Spokane.
Copies of the herd plans may be requested by accessing the Department's Website (http://wdfw.wa.gov then select Hunting and Fishing), by writing to the WildlifeManagement Program at the above address or by calling (360) 902-2515.

Written comments also are being taken on the plans and should be sent by Jan. 15 to Tom McCall, Wildlife Management Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia WA 98501-1091.

Plans for the Nooksack, Olympic Mountain and North Rainier herds will be completed and made available for public review early next year.