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

2. 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”

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. WYO 789 North of Baggs

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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. US 191 Trapper’s Point

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

29. Questions?