Over the past two years, multiple states have adopted Wildlife Corridor Action Plans (WCAPs). These plans, which function similarly to State Wildlife Action Plans, allow state transportation agencies and wildlife agencies to collaborate in prioritizing areas where wildlife and infrastructure are disproportionately in conflict.
The overall goal of these plans is to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Wildlife-vehicle collisions directly threaten wildlife populations through wildlife mortality, and indirectly through the barrier created by the concentration of vehicles that limits wildlife movement. Additionally, there are significant costs to humans involved in wildlife-vehicle collisions, from property damage to risk of injury; these conflicts are a lose-lose situation.
While the federal government recently took steps to increase the number of wildlife-vehicle collision reduction projects nationwide, a handful of states are already taking matters into their own hands.
New Mexico (June 2022)
- New Mexico’s WCAP aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and facilitate safe wildlife movement across landscapes fragmented by roads and other transportation infrastructure.
- It focuses on six significant mammal species known for their large-scale movement and high risk of collisions: elk, deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and mountain lion.
- It contains detailed analysis, hotspot identification, habitat linkage modeling, and prioritization of corridors for mitigation measures such as wildlife overpasses and underpasses, fencing, and signage. It emphasizes continuous monitoring and adjustment of strategies based on existing conditions and the effectiveness of current and past management actions.
- Additionally, it calls for continued public engagement to continue to improve mitigation strategies in order to ensure the plan remains dynamic and responsive to both human and wildlife needs.
Virginia (May 2023)
- Virginia’s WCAP identifies wildlife corridors, analyzes human-related barriers to wildlife movement, and identifies areas of high risk for wildlife-vehicle collisions.
- It prioritizes future wildlife crossing projects, the protection of high-quality habitats, and the potential implementation of measures other than crossings that aim to reduce these conflicts.
- Regular plan updates, continued coordination between agencies, and meaningful data collection are mentioned as priorities following the release of the initial plan, which is the first of its kind in the eastern U.S.
Oregon (January 2024)
- Oregon’s WCAP identifies Priority Wildlife Connectivity Area (PWCAs) to serve as a tool for guiding the work of all entities working on land, wildlife and natural resource management throughout the state.
- The plan specifically calls out the continuing need for collaboration between the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Transportation in prioritizing efforts related to transportation infrastructure mitigation.
- For each PWCA, the plan provides recommendations for conservation actions, including protection, restoration, and mitigation. It suggests incorporating PWCAs into all land management plans, transportation infrastructure development, habitat restoration projects, and the siting of new developments.
- Additionally, it points out the need for further efforts such as increased data collection, monitoring, and securing sustainable long-term funding.
States like New Mexico, Virginia, and Oregon exemplify a proactive approach to mitigating wildlife-vehicle collisions and preserving wildlife movement corridors. By focusing on strategies such as the construction of wildlife crossing structures, the protection of habitats, and the integration of wildlife considerations into land and transportation plans, these states are making significant progress toward reducing collisions, creating safer roads for humans, and enhancing habitat connectivity.
Priorities and driving concerns will vary from state to state, but all states would benefit from developing wildlife corridor action plans, which are particularly useful as funding from the federal government for such projects becomes available.
Please note: This digest is intended to provide up-to-date information on policy development from a neutral, unaffiliated position as it relates to connectivity and corridor science and management.
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