Making Wildlife-Vehicle Crash Mitigation Projects Happen in Wyoming Thomas Hart Wildlife Specialist

Nugget Canyon US 30 bisects mule deer and elk winter range and migration corridors Wyoming Range mule deer herd One of the largest herds in WY One of the most popular and economically important herds in WY 10,000 – 14,000 animals migrate across US 30 twice each year Newspaper articles referred to WVCs in Nugget Canyon as a “bloodbath”

Nugget Canyon 1986 WY Legislature passed the Nugget Canyon Wildlife Migration Project Act An average of 130 mule deer killed per year on the highway through 1990’s Act required state agencies (WYDOT and WGFD) to mitigate WVCs in Nugget Canyon Various mitigation measures were implemented and evaluated

Nugget Canyon 1986 to 1989 – Swareflex reflectors found to be ineffective at reducing DVCs (Reeve and Anderson 1993) 1989 – 7 miles of 8’ high game-proof fence with an at-grade crossing at MP 30.5 Deer crossing warning signs Highway mortality remained high

Nugget Canyon 1998 – 2001,Evaluated 2 animal detection systems at MP 30.5 Flashing Light Animal Sensing Host (FLASH) system Infrared sensors that detected animal body heat FLASH system not reliable, greater than 50% of hits were false

Nugget Canyon Geophone system combined with infrared scopes Detected ground vibrations from animal crossings Geophone system much more reliable No false hits

Nugget Canyon Both systems triggered flashing lights on warning signs Studied different treatments with lights, signs, presence or absence of deer Generally, motorists did not slow down

Nugget Canyon 2001 – First underpass constructed at MP 30.5 12’ high x 20’ wide concrete box culvert Manipulated structure dimensions Deer more sensitive to changes in width High underpass use during spring and fall migrations DVCs reduced near underpass DVCs remained high elsewhere in canyon

Nugget Canyon 2008 – WYDOT constructed 6 additional underpasses and 6 more miles of game fence Crossing structure locations based on: Winter track data WVC data Migration route data from WGFD Constructability

Nugget Canyon 3-year Study (WEST, Inc.) 7 underpasses and 13 miles of game-proof fence 49,146 mule deer crossings 81% reduction in DVCs Crossings by other species 1,953 elk 201 pronghorn 13 moose 77 bobcat

Partners WYDOT and WGFD were the main players Overthrust Wildlife Association was also a partner WVCs in Nugget Canyon were a hot topic in Kemmerer Local sportsman’s groups are passionate and can provide support

Funding 1986 – Appropriation from State Legislature for $237,500 Required Overthrust Wildlife Association to contribute at least $50,000 of the appropriation Funds used for signs, flashing lights, fencing, etc. OWA also contributed volunteer labor

Funding First underpass in 2001 Federal and state funds Additional underpasses and fencing completed in 2008 All state money from special Legislative funding ~$4 million contract

WYO 789 North of Baggs

WYO 789 North of Baggs 2 underpasses and 4.75 miles of game-proof fence 16,133 mule deer crossings Fall 2009 - Spring 2011 at first underpass Third underpass and additional game-proof fence is planned

Partners and Funding WGFD WYDOT Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust $500,000 for game fencing Wyoming Landscape and Conservation Initiative Several thousand dollars for double-wide cattle guards Little Snake River Conservation District BLM

Funding 2009 Construction ~$1.42 million price tag majority of funding was FHWA money State matching funds Wildlife trust funds WGFD funds

Funding 2012 Construction ~$1.93 million price tag State legislative funds FHWA funds WGFD/BLM grant WGFD Commission grant State construction funds State matching funds

US 191 Trapper’s Point

US 191 Trapper’s Point 2 overpasses, 6 simple span bridge underpasses, and 12 miles of game fence 40,251 mule deer crossings 19,290 pronghorn crossings 81% reduction in WVCs

Partners and Funding Numerous partners and interested stakeholders Applied for TIGER stimulus funds Never awarded TIGER funds Letters of support from USFWS, USFS, BCA, WLCI, WCS, RMEF, WOC, GYC, WELC, and Y2Y

Partners and Funding Major partners included: WGFD, WYDOT, USFS, BLM, USFWS, Upper Green River Cattleman’s Association, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Wyoming Outfitters Association, and various private landowners In the end it was added to our STIP and paid for with federal and state funds

Justification for WVC Mitigation Motorist safety High crash rates in some areas WY recently averaged ~2,800 reported WVCs per year but actual number could be closer to 5,000 – 6,000 per year (Corinna Riginos) Wildlife mortality Population level impacts Mule deer declining across the West Ungulate restitution values and economic impacts The need to maintain connectivity and wildlife migrations

Moving Forward Build on common ground Develop those partnerships There are a lot of passionate NGOs, sportsman’s groups, private citizens, etc. Look for alternative funding sources Recent Wildlife and Roads Summit Pinedale, WY in April 2017 WGFD, WYDOT, NGOs, general public Colorado is holding a summit in June 2017

Questions?