U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials met recently to discuss an interim plan for the State to begin vaccination of elk against brucellosis on the National Elk Refuge, which is likely to begin before the end of this winter. Before implementation of the plan, the Service will be conducting an Environmental Assessment (EA) which will be open to public comment.
Based on this understanding, the Service intends to have a Final EA by the end of January to evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposal. The public will have an opportunity to comment on a Draft EA during a 30-day period expected during November and December.
Ultimately, the decision on long-term vaccination will be made as part of the Bison and Elk Management Environmental Impact Statement, expected to be completed in 2005. This decision will be made pending monitoring by the National Environmental Policy Act process, also discussed during the meeting.
"The meeting was productive and resulted in a common understanding of the State
