PORT TOWNSEND — A proposal to move more elk to Jefferson County isn’t written in stone, according to Sue Patnude, state Department of Fish and Wildlife regional director.
And Jefferson County officials and residents will have a chance to weigh-in on what plan would be best for their county, she said.
In concert with a proposal to relocate about 100 Sequim elk to the Wynoochee River Valley in Grays Harbor County is a complementary proposal to move about 100 Wynoochee elk to the Salmon and Snow Creek area south of Discovery Bay.
Patnude facilitated a public forum Tuesday in Sequim, where most of the attention was on the plan for the Sequim elk.
Jefferson County Commissioner David Sullivan said officials in his county had not been notified of the proposal and objected to the lack of communication from the agency.
Patnude said Thursday that state wildlife officials are uncertain what elk herd management proposal would work best for Jefferson County.
“The alternative to go to the Snow-Salmon Creek area was just developed a few months ago,” she said.
“They have some ideas of what might be good, but we don’t know exactly what would happen.”
Elk problems already
Sullivan said there is already the potential for elk coming in conflict with private property owners.
“There are elk up there in (the Snow and Salmon Creek) area right now” and they have already caused property damage at times, said the Cape George Democrat.
“Eventually they are going to have an elk problem in that valley, and that’s if nothing happens,” said Sullivan.
“Having a group of elk moved is just going to make it happen sooner.”
Forums to come
Jefferson County leaders and residents will have a say in what eventually happens, said Patnude.
“We want to get as many people involved as possible.”
Fish and Wildlife officials say implementation of the proposal would not take place before 2008.
Patnude said public meetings will be set up.
As for county leaders, Patnude said, “We are going to meet with them, and include our wildlife program folks.”
Sullivan said he would welcome a workshop with Fish and Wildlife officials.
“For the citizens, they need to have public meetings before they decide if this is a viable option,” said Sullivan.
Comments can be sent to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Regional Wildlife Manager Jack Smith, 48 Devonshire Road, Montesano, WA 98563.
