Joint News Release - WDFW/NWIFC: Dungeness elk co-managers to explore fencing

SEQUIM - After reviewing public comments that overwhelmingly opposed moving the Dungeness Roosevelt Elk Herd out of Sequim, the herd's co-managers have agreed to pursue efforts to fence the animals away from highways and residential areas.

The decision to explore fencing options was reached during a Tuesday meeting of the Dungeness-Sequim Elk Policy Group. The group includes the herd's co-managers, the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as area landowners, including the City of Sequim, Clallam and Jefferson counties, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service.

The proposed fence would be designed to keep the elk on public land and prevent them from moving into Sequim's urban areas.

The co-managers will investigate fencing routes and present the alternatives during the elk policy group's meeting in early March. Past cost estimates have placed fencing at more than $1 million. The tribal and state co-managers are investigating funding options, including applying for grants.

For more information, contact: Scott Chitwood, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Director of Natural Resources, at (360) 681-4616 or schitwood@jamestowntribe.org; Steve Pozzanghera, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Assistant Wildlife Director, at (360) 902-2506 or pozzasap@dfw.wa.gov; Jeremy Sage, Point No Point Treaty Council wildlife biologist, at (360) 297-6528 or jsage@pnptc.org; or Tiffany Royal, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission information officer, at (360) 297-6546 or troyal@nwifc.org.