07-21-2009, 09:10 PM
LA GRANDE, Ore. - Nine elk habitat improvement projects funded by a $100,000 Access and Habitat grant awarded to the Blue Mountains Elk Initiative are now underway on both private and public lands in seven counties in Oregon's Blue Mountains region.
In addition to the $100,000 provided by A&H, matching funds from over 20 project cooperators will total nearly $2 million. The funds will be used to improve 13,619 acres of elk habitat among these nine projects.
The 19-million-acre Blue Mountains region of Oregon and Washington harbors one of the world's largest elk populations, estimated at more than 55,000 animals.
"Elk are important to the Blue Mountains region-ecologically, economically and culturally," said ODFW Wildlife Habitat Biologist Jon Paustian. "This year's projects include a range of elk habitat improvements including weed control, juniper cutting, prescribed fire, native shrub planting, and water development."
The projects are:
* Control of rush skeleton weed in Hells Canyon (Baker and Wallowa counties)
* Wildlife habitat improvement on Dow Ranches property (Crook County)<br />
* Juniper control to enhance big game habitat in Murderers Creek Basin (Grant County)<br />
* Wildlife habitat improvement on Kastor Ranch property (Crook County)<br />
* Continued noxious weed control along the North Fork John Day River (Umatilla, Grant, and Morrow counties)<br />
* Wildlife forage enhancement in Owsley Canyon (Union County)<br />
* Prescribed fire to improve habitat in Trail Creek/Stickes area (Baker County)<br />
* Noxious weed control in the Wallowa Canyonlands (Wallowa and Union counties)<br />
* Prescribed fire to improve wildlife habitat in Woodtick/Burnt River (Baker County)
The Blue Mountains Elk Initiative is a cooperative effort between federal, state, local, tribal and private agencies and organizations, including ODFW. The program addresses elk management issues in Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker, Grant, Morrow, Crook, Harney and Malheur counties. It was created in 1990 and is the first and largest elk initiative established in North America.
The A&H Program is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses. Funds raised by the program are distributed through grants to individual and corporate landowners, hunter organizations, and others for cooperative wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access projects throughout the state.
For information on the A&H Program call program staff at 503-947-6087 or visit the Web site at www.dfw.state.or.us/AH/
In addition to the $100,000 provided by A&H, matching funds from over 20 project cooperators will total nearly $2 million. The funds will be used to improve 13,619 acres of elk habitat among these nine projects.
The 19-million-acre Blue Mountains region of Oregon and Washington harbors one of the world's largest elk populations, estimated at more than 55,000 animals.
"Elk are important to the Blue Mountains region-ecologically, economically and culturally," said ODFW Wildlife Habitat Biologist Jon Paustian. "This year's projects include a range of elk habitat improvements including weed control, juniper cutting, prescribed fire, native shrub planting, and water development."
The projects are:
* Control of rush skeleton weed in Hells Canyon (Baker and Wallowa counties)
* Wildlife habitat improvement on Dow Ranches property (Crook County)<br />
* Juniper control to enhance big game habitat in Murderers Creek Basin (Grant County)<br />
* Wildlife habitat improvement on Kastor Ranch property (Crook County)<br />
* Continued noxious weed control along the North Fork John Day River (Umatilla, Grant, and Morrow counties)<br />
* Wildlife forage enhancement in Owsley Canyon (Union County)<br />
* Prescribed fire to improve habitat in Trail Creek/Stickes area (Baker County)<br />
* Noxious weed control in the Wallowa Canyonlands (Wallowa and Union counties)<br />
* Prescribed fire to improve wildlife habitat in Woodtick/Burnt River (Baker County)
The Blue Mountains Elk Initiative is a cooperative effort between federal, state, local, tribal and private agencies and organizations, including ODFW. The program addresses elk management issues in Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker, Grant, Morrow, Crook, Harney and Malheur counties. It was created in 1990 and is the first and largest elk initiative established in North America.
The A&H Program is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses. Funds raised by the program are distributed through grants to individual and corporate landowners, hunter organizations, and others for cooperative wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access projects throughout the state.
For information on the A&H Program call program staff at 503-947-6087 or visit the Web site at www.dfw.state.or.us/AH/