FACT SHEETS: - Mount St. Helens-North Cascades elk relocation project - October 2003 - Mount St. Helens-North Cascades elk transfer - June 2003 Maps: - Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area - Nooksack Area News Releases:  - 41 elk moved from St. Helens to North Cascades - Open house to offer information on elk move - Public input sought on elk relocation - Two North Sound public meetings slated on proposed elk move Elk Management Plans:  - New 6-year game management plan - North Cascades elk herd plan - Draft Mount St. Helens elk herd plan Tribal Wildlife Management:  - Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Wildlife Program Comments:  WDFW Attn: Doug Williams 600 Capitol Way N Olympia, WA 98501-1091 willidgw@dfw.wa.gov

Mount St. Helens-North Cascades elk transfer The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Point Elliott treaty tribes are proposing to move approximately 100 elk over the next two years from the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area in southwest Washington to sites near the South Fork of the Nooksack River in northern Skagit and southern Whatcom counties. The elk transfer is aimed at jump-starting efforts to rebuild the North Cascades herd, which has declined from more than 1,700 animals a decade ago, to about 300 currently. In addition, the transfer would temporarily reduce elk numbers on the St. Helens Wildlife Area, where winter starvation has occurred in recent years when elk congregate in low-elevation areas and deplete available forage. Preliminary plans call for transferring about 40 to 50 animals in 2003, and a similar number in 2004. The adult elk would be radio-collared when they are captured for monitoring after their release. The cost of the project would be shared by the state and tribes. Maps Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area Click For Larger Image Nooksack Area Click For Larger Image