Public To Be Surveyed On Md. Elk Reintroduction

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Department of Natural Resources says it plans to conduct an extensive public opinion survey on a proposal to reintroduce elk to western Maryland.

DNR Secretary John Griffin says the survey will cover issues from the impact on agriculture to potential economic benefits and tourism opportunities. Griffin says the survey will be vital to the decision-making process.

The department says social, cultural and economic questions will dominate the survey, which is scheduled to begin in February. The survey will focus on residents in western Maryland and a final report is expected in April.

The proposal has run into opposition from county officials in Garrett County. Elk have already been successfully reintroduced in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, and the DNR is partnering with sportsmen's groups to study reintroduction in Maryland.

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