User:Jsplack/Wildlife Crossings in Teton County, WY

Elected officials in Jackson, WY have added a proposal to the November 2019 ballot that enables citizens to vote for a Special Purpose Excise Tax that to fund Wildlife Crossings. If this ballot initiative passes, it will fund proposed wildlife crossings in accordance with the Teton County Wildlife Crossing Master Plan, an extensive study completed in 2018.

Proposed Wildlife Crossings in Jackson, WY
Jackson, Wyoming and Teton County have recorded over 5,000 Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions since 1990. As a result, the Western Transportation Institute was tasked with completing a report to examine the feasibility of creating a wildlife crossing master plan. In May 2018, the Western Transportation Institute and Teton County published the Teton County Wildlife Crossing Mater Plan. This Master Plan studied and identified seven highway segments suitable for wildlife crossings and other vehicle collision mitigations. These highways include US 191, US 26, US S 89, US N 89, US 26, WY 22 and WY 390.

Origin of Wildlife Crossings in Jackson, WY
From 2010-2018, 43 different animal species were recorded in the Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Database in Teton County, WY. Elk (327 collisions), Moose (143 collisions), and Mule Deer (1,427 collisions) experienced the largest number of collisions in the Jackson, WY area. The Western Transportation Institute examined crash and carcass data when developing the Teton County Wildlife Crossing Master Plan. While this data tends to reflect large and medium sized collisions, safety and conservation concerns extend beyond these documented encounters. Some ecological concerns even extend to aquatic habitats and fish populations.

Although traffic and animal migration patterns vary by season, there is a constant presence of both vehicular traffic and large mammals in and around Jackson. Each of the seven identified highways average 10,000 vehicles per day with volumes varying between 23,000 vehicles per day at peak season along one road, and 1,500 vehicles per day at the lowest volume stretch of highway.

Due to the large quantity of protected land in the greater-Jackson area, many animal migration patterns are still intact. Large animals such as elk, mule deer, and pronghorn have distinct winter and summer habitats, and are therefore moving in spring and fall months. In addition, large animals like elk and moose converge in the low-lying areas around Jackson during the winter months to escape deep snow at higher elevations. All of this movement increases the likelihood of animal encounters on roadways.

Human Safety and Economic Impact
Vehicle collisions with large mammals can result in damage to property, injury and death. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) estimates that there is a 79 percent chance of drivers colliding with wildlife on Wyoming roads. WYDOT also estimates that these collisions result in $50 million in damages per year (in both vehicle damage and in personal injury costs). WYDOT estimates the average animal collision in Wyoming will cost drivers $11,600 USD. In one 2003 study by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, it was estimated that wildlife collisions in Teton County cost $1.2 million per year. More recently, the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation completed an economic impact assessment for 2016-2017 that found total economic loss of wildlife collisions to be $3,172,837 in Teton County.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) estimates that wildlife collisions cost Wyoming drivers $25 million in injury and property damages, and $24 million to taxpayers in lost wildlife productivity. TNC also estimates that Wyoming wildlife collision costs for incidents with mule deer, elk and moose are $10,500 USD, $25,319 USD, and $37,873 respectively. There are numerous studies that explore the economic value of wildlife, including major local economic drivers like tourism, recreation and hunting.

Studies indicate that there are approximately 211 fatalities and 29,000 human injuries in the United States due to vehicle collisions with wildlife each year.

Biological Conservation
Wildlife is impacted by roads and traffic in five broad categories: loss of habitat, road mortality, barriers to wildlife movements, decreases in habitat quality, and the introduction of non-native species. These categories are used to estimate the impact of roads on biological conservation. In addition to deer, elk and moose, animals with high conservation value in the area include river otter, lynx, grizzly bear, and bison. According to Dr. Anthony Clevenger from the WesternTransportation Institute, "generalizations about the conservation value of habitat corridors remain elusive because of the species-specific nature of the problem." Due to the complex nature of the habitats in and around Jackson, the Teton County Wildlife Crossing Master Plan evaluates the biological conservation values of each roadway based on the migration patterns of large and medium sized mammals most likely to encounter vehicle traffic on a specific route.

The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation (JHWF) demonstrated the urgency of this problem by tracking moose-specific deaths due to vehicle collisions in the Jackson area. JHWF tracked 50 moose deaths due to collisions over the past decade, and compared that to the estimated 70 moose that live near town. Their research indicates that this moose population could be at risk due to the frequency of collisions. JHWF believes they "can save an average of 190 moose, 210 elk and 360 deer every 20 years," with the construction of wildlife crossings.

When assessing biological conservation value, the concept of ecological permeability becomes an important element in the Master Plan. Ecological permeability has broad scientific consensus. While vehicle-wildlife collisions are the most acute aspect of biological conservation with respect to wildlife overpasses, the ability for species to migrate and interact with the larger ecosystem is considered crucial for the health and maintenance of both the species and the ecosystem. In addition, research shows that facilitating permeability requires that wildlife crossings be species specific. For example, ungulates prefer overpasses and carnivores prefer underpasses. The Teton County Master Plan takes these biological conservation and permeability factors into account through their analysis and planning process.

Proposed Locations for Wildlife Crossings and Mitigation Measures
The Teton County Wildlife Crossing Master Plan has identified 12 crossing priorities. The Master Plan has ranked these locations based on eight priorities: Land Security, Political Viability, Key Partner Support, Technical Feasibility, Long-Term Solution, Human Safety Impact, Wildlife Mortality Impact, and Habitat Connectivity Value. Among other data sets, the Master Plan research team used extensive nature mapping, collision data, WYDOT traffic data, and migration data for mule deer, elk and moose to facilitate the rankings.

Research indicates that combining wildlife crossings and other mitigation measures can result in an 83 percent reduction in collisions. Without complex planning and the integration of multiple measures, the average mitigation reduces collisions by 40 percent. Some advocates cite statistics that indicate the combination of fencing and crossing structures can reduce collisions by 90 percent.

Recommended Crossing locations are ranked as follows:


 * 1) HWY 22/390 Intersection/Snake River Bridge
 * 2) HWY 22 Spring Creek to Bar Y
 * 3) Camp Creek (near-term, non-structural measures)
 * 4) Camp Creek (Hoback Junction to Hoback Canyon)
 * 5) North of Jackson to Fish Hatchery
 * 6) South of Jackson to Rafter J
 * 7) Horse Creek to Hoback Junction
 * 8) Broadway (Flat Creek Bridge near 5-Way to High School Road)
 * 9) Teton Pass West Side (WY 22 and ID 33)
 * 10) Game Creek, Dog Creek (South of HWY 89)
 * 11) Blackrock/Togwotee
 * 12) WY 390 north of the HWY22/390 intersection.

Mitigation Measures
Wildlife collision mitigation systems vary in their complexity, cost and design. Numerous studies indicate that there is a high rate of success when mitigation measures are designed with target species in mind, and not applied broadly to a region. Other studies indicate that the highest rate of success occurs when multiple mitigation measures (i.e. crossing structures and fencing) are used in conjunction. The Teton County Wildlife Crossing Master Plan evaluates and recommends the site specific use of warning signs and animal detection systems, speed management, wildlife fencing, wildlife crossings (overpasses and underpasses), and multiple use structures.

Wildlife Warning Signs and Animal Detection Systems
Studies show that wildlife warning signs can reduce collisions by 9-50 percent. Teton County has a wide variety of warning signs already in place. Animal detection systems that alert drivers when an animal is active in the area can reduce collisions by 33-97 percent.

Speed Management
Speed limits vary along the target roads between 25 MPH and 65 MPH, with the average speed limit set at 55 MPH (variable speed limits depending on daylight are set along two stretches of highway). Research shows that most collisions occur at dawn and dusk, therefore Teton County has implemented variable speed limits that decrease driving speeds at night. The Master Plan does not recommend reducing speed limits due to the negative impacts it could have on safe highway driving.

Wildlife Fences
The Master Plan cites four studies that indicate wildlife fences are "one of the most effective and robust mitigation measures to reduce collisions with large animals." Wildlife fencing can simultaneously keep animals off the road and funnel animals to safe crossing locations. There are numerous best practices that should be used in order to ensure fencing is species specific, thus minimizing larger ecological impacts.

Wildlife Crossings
There are numerous types of wildlife crossings that can be implemented in Teton County. These include overpasses, open span bridges, underpasses and pipes. Similar to wildlife fencing, the success of crossings depends on their design process and how they relate to target species. The Master Plan used existing research to make recommendations based on animal type, including six ungulate species and eight carnivore species.

Multiple Use Structures
Multiple use structures refer to infrastructure that facilitates the movement of both humans and wildlife. Although the Master Plan evaluated their feasibility, they do not recommend these types of facilities due to the potential to increase vehicle-wildlife collisions.

Funding and Funding Debate
As of 2019, Teton County has allocated $150,000 to jump-start early planning and design for wildlife crossing and other mitigations. Teton County has used the Master Plan to prioritize projects, but does not have a public assessment for the total cost of completing all projects. In addition to the Teton County plan, WYDOT has completed a project along a 12-mile stretch of US Highway 191. This project built six underpasses, two overpasses and installed fencing to enhance safety during the annual pronghorn sheep migration.

WYDOT has allocated $3.5 million for a crossing at the HWY 22/390 intersection, with a total project cost estimated at $7.5 million. WYDOT also plans to set aside $900,000 to extend an animal underpass along the same stretch of road.

Special Purpose Excise Tax (SPET)
In order to facilitate the construction of wildlife crossings closer to the Town of Jackson, advocacy groups have lobbied to include a $15 million wildlife crossing program into the list of items to be funded by a Special Purpose Excise Tax (SPET). The SPET will be voted on in November 2019. This will enable the Teton County and the Town of Jackson to start construction on wildlife crossings and supplement WYDOT funding for specific projects.

On July 15, 2019, Teton County and Town officials approved a ballot initiative that allows residents to vote for 10 projects totaling $77 million. The language approved by officials allows citizens to select any or all of these initiatives, paid for by the 1% sales tax. There was brief discussion to bundle the 10 projects in an all-or-nothing ballot measure, however elected officials opted to let citizens vote on each item independently.

On July 15, 2019, during the same vote that removed the "bundling" language, officials elected to add the $10 million initiative for wildlife crossings among the 10 projects voters can select from on the November 2019 ballot ($5 million less than the amount proposed by advocates).