Can habitat in the Nooksack area support more elk?
WDFW, tribes and other partners have spent the past five years evaluating habitat in the Nooksack area and its ability to support additional elk. Based on that evaluation, wildlife biologists believe that existing elk are in good health and there is adequate habitat to support additional relocated elk. While relocated elk may wander, the timing and location of this transfer should minimize animal movement. In the past decade, a half-dozen habitat enhancement projects have been undertaken in the North Cascade elk herd area. The projects typically included seeding and fertilization projects to encourage grasses and forbs for elk forage. More than 100 acres of elk habitat have been improved through these enhancement projects, at a cost of more than $55,000. Project participants have included WDFW, Point Elliott treaty tribes, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, the state Department of Natural Resources, Crown Pacific and other timber companies. In addition, road ma
