Meeting slated May 15 on Willapa Hills elk herd plan

LONGVIEW — A public meeting on the draft Willapa Hills Elk Herd Plan will begin at 6 p.m. May 15 at the Cowlitz County PUD,961 12th Ave.

The plan is available online at www.wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01592.

Written comments can be submitted online to http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/elk/willapa_hills/comments.html or mailed to Willapa Hills Elk Herd Plan, Wildlife Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 98501.

The Willapa herd is made up of an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 animals from Grays Harbor to the Columbia River and Interstate 5 west to the coast.

The draft management plan calls for developing more precise information about the size and characteristics of the herd, along with maintaining its size, improving habitat, minimizing crop damage and addressing disease.

The herd is one of two in Washington affected by hoof disease.

A final version of the plan is expected this fall. It will mark completion of formal management plans for all 10 elk herds in Washington.