The National Park Service

 

 

The National Park Service which operates the Point Reyes National Seashore, is very aware of the problem of broken down fences, poaching of food and water supplies by the elk and the financial peril that the affected ranches face.

 

Park Staff have attempted to haze wandering  elk but ranchers say that causes them to rush into cattle fences, breaking them down and the elk return soon after park staff leaves.

 

 

The NPS has initiated a National Environmental Policy Act process that would take at least a year and a half.

 

 

The NPS has initiated a National Environmental Policy Act process which would take at least a year and a half. In response, the ranchers sent a detailed response to the Department of the Interior a letter asking for proof that a NEPA is really necessary in order to erect a fence or to cull the herd to a manageable number:

 

"The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) does not require the preparation of an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) when an agency makes a finding of no significant impact.

In 1998, the Park Service made a finding of no significant impact for the entire management

plan. Based on this finding, no EIS is needed for the capture and removal of elk on pastoral

lands, whose impacts are no greater than those related to the capture and removal of elk on

private lands."

 

Elk Fences Now