To whom it may concern,

I strongly support the inclusion of a program for reintroducing elk in New York State for the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Elk have the best potential of survival in the Catskills and portions of the Allegheny Foothills in Southern Tier, and there is as a possibility along river corridors and at lower elevations in the Adirondack Park and the North Country. Almost all the lower elevations of New York had elk originally, it’s possible that Henry Hudson saw these majestic animals along the banks of the Hudson River in 1609. Elk were extinct from New York by 1847, and unsuccessful attempts a re-introduction were made between 1900 to 1940 in the Raquette Lake area of the Adirondacks.

Elk could provide an excellent opportunity for increased tourism and sportsmen in New York State. Pennsylvania, after successfully restoring elk to a region around Elk County have turned a previously rural, worn out coal country, into a tourist mecca. State parks and private campgrounds are packed all summer and fall with people coming to see the elk. Elk-related tourism is such a draw in Pennsylvania that signs have to be placed on local highways to remind tourists not to park on the traveled lanes of highways. Pennsylvania’s elk program has been so successful that they have been able to reinstate an elk tag lottery and have an elk season for those lucky hunters who receive an elk tag. The Pennsylvania herd numbers about 800 animals. Approximately 70 animals are harvested by hunters each year through a state run lottery in Pennsylvania.

Old strip mines and landfills planted with elk-friendly graze, such as those that dot the area around Moriah or Star Lake, might provide perfect habitat for elk – and draw tourists to a little visited portion of the Adirondack Park. The same could be said about large portions of Delaware, Sullivan, Broome, Allegany, and Cattaraugus County, which aren’t largely suitable for agriculture but might provide good habitat for elk – and a needed economic boost. If elk could help turn around the economy in worn-out strip-mined coal country in Pennsylvania, couldn’t they do the same for abandoned farm land and industrial sites in New York State?

In October of 1998 a report was released discussing the feasibility of restoring Elk New York State. The study concluded that reintroduction of elk into New York State was both ecologically and economically feasible. The report was sponsored by the RMEF and the study was conducted jointly by the SUNY ESF, Syracuse University, and Cornell University. The re-introduction of elk into our state is supported by major environmental groups, including PROTECT the Adirondacks.

Sincerely,

Andy Arthur