Southern Oregon Wildlife Crossings Mitigation and Alternatives Analysis

Oregon Wildlife Foundation
$20,000

This proposal is submitted by the Oregon Wildlife Foundation on behalf of the Southern Oregon Wildlife Crossings Coalition (SOWCC), a partnership of individuals and organizations dedicated to improving habitat connectivity and safe passage for wildlife across I-5 in the Klamath Mountains ecoregion. We propose to conduct a preferred mitigation alternative analysis of six wildlife crossing locations on I-5 between Ashland and the California border in southwestern Oregon. These sites were identified by the SOWCC as potential opportunities for wildlife passage in this stretch of I-5. I-5 bisects this region of rich biodiversity known to provide critical linkages among coastal mountains, the Siskiyou ecological province, the Cascade Range, and High Desert. Highly significant migratory fish and wildlife populations occur on both sides of the interstate, which is bordered by large areas of intact habitat on a mix of public and private lands. Among these public lands is the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, which was designated to protect the high levels of biodiversity in the region and is itself bisected by I-5. Various species and large populations of ungulates attempt to cross I-5 with mixed success or are deflected away from the highway. ODOT carcass-collection data show that this 14-mile stretch of interstate is an area of high wildlife-vehicle collision density creating a safety hazard for both motorists and wildlife. There are currently no dedicated wildlife crossings in this area. We have evaluated existing highway infrastructure for its potential to be improved for safe wildlife passage across I-5. The six sites we’ve identified represent the best known of these opportunities and include locations where minor retrofitting could benefit crossing success, as well as sites that would require substantial reconstruction or new structures. The SOWCC includes representatives from State and Federal agencies, local and statewide nonprofit conservation organizations.

OCRF Project Home