Reducing wildlife collisions in Oregon

The Lava Butte wildlife underpass near Bend is frequented by all sorts of wildlife from elk and deer to bobcats and badgers. As expected, the crossing saves the lives of wildlife (and drivers). For instance, deer-vehicle collisions in the area are down by 90%. 

If only Oregon could build more wildlife underpasses, overpasses and other crossings. 

Soon we can. 

Via the budget bill, the Oregon legislature is investing $7 million in wildlife crossings. We send a big thank you to Rep. Ken Helm and the bipartisan herd of wildlife crossing supporters in the legislature. (See what I did there?)

Said Rep. Helm: “Strategic wildlife crossing projects will help foster a safer and more sustainable transportation system for years to come. I am grateful to my colleagues in the legislature for this proactive investment.”

Couple this new state money with the $350 million in the federal, bipartisan infrastructure law and suddenly we have the funding to invest in these simple-in-concept and yet-not-cheap wildlife structures. 

What else isn’t cheap? Collisions. According to a 2008 report from the Federal Highway Administration: “The best estimate of the total annual cost associated with [wildlife vehicle collisions], based on available data, is calculated to be $8,388,000,000.” That’s a national number, and surely it’s gone up as the costs of cars and repairs have increased. 

Here at Environment Oregon, we’re about protecting the natural world around us. We know that our lives are richer and better when surrounded by nature. But this victory is a win for more than the wildlife we share our beautiful state with; it’s also a win for drivers, insurance companies and common sense. 

Let’s get started building these crossings.