SISTERS, OR -- A coalition of state and federal agencies and local conservation groups wants to build new wildlife crossings over Highway 20, between Bend and the Sisters area. Between 350 and 600 deer and elk are killed every year along that stretch, by vehicle strikes.
Rachel Wheat, with Oregon's Department of Fish and Wildlife, says research pointed to 11 potential locations, but they hope to start with just four, "We've selected these four structures near the community of Black Butte as priorities for construction, primarily because of the amount of activity for Rocky Mountain Elk in that region." She tells KBND News, "We have a large elk herd that is continually crossing US 20 around those locations. Obviously, that's a significant issue for both elk and motorists. So these four structures in sequence are going to provide the best increase in connectivity for elk in this area, as well as reducing the risk to the traveling public."
The effort is led by Central Oregon Landwatch, and also involves the Oregon Department of Transportation, among others. ODOT's Cidney Bowman says her agency wants to help because it'll improve driver safety, "A large number of wildlife vehicle collisions in our state, in the range of 6 to 7,000 a year, depending on population counts. And those cause serious injuries, sometimes fatalities. Wildlife passage is a win-win, where it does get drivers to where they want to go safely, and it also gets animals where they need to go."
Bowman admits it will be an expensive project, "I'm guessing between $60 and $80 million. We're hoping there's some savings by grouping projects, but it's a big number." She says the goal is to start with a grant for the design phase, "There right now is a federal wildlife crossing pilot program grant opportunity. Next year's the last year the funding is available." But she's optimistic the program will be extended.
Undercrossings, like what ODOT built near Sunriver, are cheaper. But ODFW's Wheat says an overpass is more effective, "Definitely, research has indicated that the overpasses tended to be more attractive to a greater diversity of species." She says elk are especially partial to bridges because they provide better visibility.
