FEDERAL MONEY FOR WILDLIFE CROSSINGS
The bipartisan Infrastructure Act created a grant program that provides $350 million for new wildlife crossings. (Largest in US history). The program requires states to also contribute money to such crossings in their different areas. These corridors include overpasses and underpasses and roadside fences and, in a few cases, waterways. Fences along roadsides keep critters from crossing in front of traffic to reach attractive greenery in some medians or the other side. They encourage safe crossing by using corridors. All these structures help provide safe passage for animals and even plant life to move across busy highways. They are also protecting greater biodiversity and easing extinction among many species. One success story is a new wildlife corridor over Vail Pass, Colorado, that is helping save the lynx among other iconic creatures of that area. The state legislature of Colorado has allocated $5 million to build more such wildlife crossings, adding to available federal funding. Such cooperation is good news for the environment and for car drivers too. Each year approximately 1 million critters are killed on roads (many fatal for drivers) and cost over $10 billion in recovery from accidents. However, wildlife crossings have the potential for reducing both by 97%. Such bipartisan efforts are a great example of what can be accomplished when stakeholders are committed to the care of creation as well as saving taxpayer money.
Another great vision of many environmentalists is to see a very long wildlife corridor that would go from Yellowstone to the Yukon. Think of how beneficial this might be for all kinds of wildlife biodiversity and protection from extinction. Could this be possible in today’s world? Stay tuned.
Earth Steward Action: Become involved in local decision making, especially in matters that involve care and consideration for a healthy environment.
Source: Sierra Magazine-Spring 2024. Article, “Right of Way” by Ben Goldfarb. (Read David Gessner’s article, “Room to Roam” on the vision of a extended corridor in same edition.).