Piney Elk Herd Brucellosis meeting Jan. 11
In Big Piney
by Wyoming Game & Fish
January 5, 2007
(Big Piney)- The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will hold a public meeting to present the Brucellosis Management Action Plan (BMAP) for the Piney elk herd unit on January 11th, at 7:00 PM, in Big Piney, WY at the Public Library. The Piney elk herd unit encompasses most of the elk habitat of the Wyoming Range north of LaBarge Creek and south of the Hoback Rim, containing the Franz, Jewett, Bench Corral, North Piney, and Finnegan winter elk feedgrounds.
This plan was designed to identify what livestock producers and wildlife managers can do to reduce brucellosis transmission among wildlife and from wildlife to livestock. Biologists worked closely with local livestock producers and federal agencies to develop the recommendations outlined in these plans.
Eight options are presented in the BMAP to minimize brucellosis transmission risk. The pros and cons of each of these options will be presented, as well as the management options that Game and Fish will pursue.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public of what efforts are planned to reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission between elk and cattle, and from elk to elk. While Department officials will be on hand to answer any questions and concerns the public may have, formal public comment will not be recorded at the meeting.
The Brucellosis Coordination Team outlined the BMAP process as a critical step for preventing brucellosis transmission from elk to cattle and regaining the state's brucellosis free status. Brucellosis transmitted to cattle herds from elk caused Wyoming to lose its brucellosis free status in 2004. The state's brucellosis-free status was officially restored on September 15th, 2006.
The Game and Fish supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Anyone needing auxiliary aids to attend this meeting should call (800) 843-8096 (in-state only) or 307-875-3223. Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations.
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