Coalition proposes 4 new wildlife overcrossings on Hwy. 20 west of Sisters to reduce animal-vehicle collisions

(Update: adding video, comments from CO LandWatch, ODOT)

Group of agencies, organizations will need to raise $560K to match federal funds

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) ─ The section of Highway 20 between Suttle Lake and Bend sees the highest density of deer and elk wildlife-vehicle collisions in the state, with 350 to 600 mule deer and elk killed yearly by vehicles, according to a coalition that this week proposed four new wildlife crossings west of Sisters.  

Wildlife passage ways allow wildlife to safely cross roadways, with the goal of lowering animal motorist collisions. 

"This is an area that has the highest density of deer and vehicle collisions in the entire state, with anywhere between 300 and 600 deer now dying by vehicle strike each year in this corridor," Jeremy Austin, the wildlands and water program manager with Central Oregon LandWatch said Wednesday.

They're proposing four over-crossings along Highway 20, the most dangerous part of the highway for animal collisions.

"You can either retrofit existing infrastructure like bridges and providing passage under the existing bridge, give you an under-crossing like a large culvert or over crossings, which is like a bridge for wildlife that goes over the roadway," Austin said.

The proposed overpasses for animals would be at mileposts 90, 92, 94, and 94.6.

"I think a lot of people can relate to driving along these more rural sections of roads and being scared about hitting wildlife - or actually having collisions and having had that experience," Austin said.

This proposal marks the end of Phase 1 which studied the 35 miles of Highway 20 between Bend and Suttle Lake. Phase 2 will involve planning, design and collaboration with the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Cidney Bowman, ODOT's Wildlife Passage Program leader said, "They do a lot to protect driver safety, but they also help wildlife get across the highway without being struck, so it's good for - it's a win-win."

Bowman said Oregon already has five crossings in place, and they've reduced collisions by 50%.

"There's some debate among other states and countries that tend to see better success rate with over-crossings, but we've had some pretty good success for the mule deer in Central Oregon using the over-crossings," Bowman said.

The proposed over-crossings would be funded by state and federal dollars. Central Oregon LandWatch plans to fundraise with private donations and state funding to match federal dollars. They said we can expect to see these structures in place in two to five years.

Here's the rest of the coalition's Monday announcement:

Determined to address this dangerous situation for both wildlife and people on Highway 20, the Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative is pleased to announce four sites between Sisters and Suttle Lake where wildlife crossings are proposed to be located, based on the results of an extensive corridor feasibility study completed in July by the River Design Group and Samara Group, environmental consulting firms.

Formed in 2022, the Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative is a group of state and federal agencies, nonprofits, landowners and institutions that gathered to bring together the expertise, relationships and regulatory authority necessary to address this critical issue. Central Oregon LandWatch manages the project and coalition, in partnership with the Oregon Wildlife Foundation, the coalition's fiscal sponsor.

The feasibility study identified a total of eleven potential locations for wildlife crossing structures along the 35-mile corridor between Bend and Suttle Lake. B2S partners selected four sites as the top priority for construction based on four key factors:

• adjacent publicly owned lands,
• high wildlife-vehicle collision densities,
• high value to migrating wildlife, and
• proximity to the other crossing sites.

“This region provides critical habitat for a wide diversity of species, linking forested areas along the crest of the Cascade Range to the sagebrush grasslands of the High Desert. Highway 20 is a formidable barrier to wildlife movement, and the risk of injury or mortality to wildlife is increasing as traffic volumes rise. The highway bisects critical migration and movement pathways for mule deer and elk, and makes it more difficult for all wildlife, large and small, to access the resources they need to survive,” said Rachel Wheat, Wildlife Connectivity Coordinator, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

The priority locations are located at MP 94.6, MP 94, MP 92, and MP 90, and all four of the crossings types will be overcrossings. The other seven locations will be completed as funding and opportunities arise.

“This initiative comes at a pivotal moment when we are working hard to create significant momentum in support of wildlife crossings, both at the state and federal levels. As this project moves forward, we are well-positioned to leverage broad-based support and funding to improve habitat connectivity and safety for wildlife and motorists alike,” said Tristan Henry,

The $350 million in federal funding from the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program included as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is just one of several sources of funding for wildlife crossing infrastructure.

“The danger to humans and the wildlife that inhabit this beautiful area is a growing concern for Black Butte Ranch homeowners and guests. We know that this is a complicated and challenging situation, and we appreciate actively participating in the discussions to find a tenable solution for everyone involved,” said Jacob Derksen, Black Butte Ranch Natural Resources Manager.

Cidney Bowman, Wildlife Passage Coordinator for Oregon Department of Transportation, is excited about the decision to pursue four overcrossing projects simultaneously.

As she explained, “Historically, ODOT has had to be opportunistic in where projects were constructed since we were including wildlife passage as part of larger construction projects. While it’s great to get those projects on the ground, we know that mule deer in Central Oregon have a sheet flow migration pattern and single projects will not necessarily capture the entire migration corridor. Instead, we need to shift to a more corridor approach to wildlife passage projects to effectively reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.”

The feasibility study was funded through generous support from The Roundhouse Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund. 

With this feasibility study completed, the Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative is moving into Phase 2, during which time the coalition will finalize engineering and design for the top four priority crossing locations and engage local communities within the Bend-to-Suttle Lake corridor. The coalition will need to raise $560,000 through state and private contributions during this phase, in order to apply for federal funds, which require a non-federal match.

Any agencies, businesses, or individuals interested in contributing to this project can contact the Oregon Wildlife Foundation. Individuals interested in contributing can do online at bit.ly/Donate2Bend2Suttle.

The Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative coalition includes the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Transportation, U.S. Forest Service - Deschutes National Forest, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Branch of Natural Resources, Central Oregon LandWatch, Oregon Wildlife Foundation, Oregon Hunters Association, Wildlands Network, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Pew Charitable Trust, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, The Nature Conservancy, Deschutes Land Trust, Protect Animal Migration & Movement, Black Butte Conservancy, Black Butte Ranch, and Oregon State University - Cascades.

“The initiative partners have great insights about the local landscape — both the wildlife movement and traffic patterns — and shared their expertise during the site assessment and alternatives analysis so that we’re putting the right crossing in the right location. Choosing the locations is the most important part of the design process and it’s a pleasure to work with such an engaged and collaborative group,” said  Melanie C. Klym, Senior Engineer and Geomorphologist with River Design Group.

“Our broad coalition has been key to the success of this project. This is truly a group with a shared mission to improve the safety of motorists and wildlife in Central Oregon, and this feasibility study is a great example of how effective this coalition is,” said Jeremy Austin, Wild Lands & Waters Program Director at Central Oregon LandWatch.

For more information and to view an executive summary of the feasibility study, visit bend2suttlelakepassage.org.

STATEMENTS FROM COALITION MEMBERS

“Our broad coalition has been key to the success of this project. This is truly a group with a shared mission to improve the safety of motorists and wildlife in Central Oregon, and this feasibility study is a great example of how effective this coalition is.”

—Jeremy Austin, Wild Lands & Waters Program Director at Central Oregon LandWatch

“The Deschutes National Forest, Sisters Ranger District, manages quality habitat along the Highway 20 corridor used by ungulates and other important wildlife for feeding, bedding, and seasonal migration. The U.S. Forest Service is committed with our partners to aiding wildlife movements, reducing wildlife mortality, and improving public safety along Highway 20 between Bend and Suttle Lake.”

–Ian Reid, District Ranger, Sisters Ranger District, US Forest Service 

“This region provides critical habitat for a wide diversity of species, linking forested areas along the crest of the Cascade Range to the sagebrush grasslands of the high desert. Highway 20 is a formidable barrier to wildlife movement, and the risk of injury or mortality to wildlife is increasing as traffic volumes rise. The highway bisects critical migration and movement pathways for mule deer and elk, and makes it more difficult for all wildlife, large and small, to access the resources they need to survive.”

–Rachel Wheat, Wildlife Connectivity Coordinator, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

“Historically, ODOT has had to be opportunistic in where projects were constructed since we were including wildlife passage as part of larger construction projects. While it’s great to get those projects on the ground, we know that mule deer in Central Oregon have a sheet flow migration pattern and single projects will not necessarily capture the entire migration corridor. Instead, we need to shift to a more corridor approach to wildlife passage projects to effectively reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.”

–Cidney Bowman, Wildlife Passage Coordinator, Oregon Department of Transportation 

“For more than a year, Black Butte Ranch management has actively participated in discussions with the Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative group regarding a safe solution to wildlife vehicle collisions on Highway 20. The danger to humans and the wildlife that inhabit this beautiful area is a growing concern for our homeowners and guests. We know that this is a complicated and challenging situation, and we appreciate being included in the discussions to find a tenable solution for everyone involved.”

–Jacob Derksen, Black Butte Ranch Natural Resources Manager

"This initiative comes at a pivotal moment when we are working hard to create significant momentum in support of wildlife crossings, both at the state and federal levels. As this project moves forward, we are well-positioned to leverage broad-based support and funding to improve habitat connectivity and safety for wildlife and motorists alike."

–Tristan Henry, Oregon Field Representative, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

STATEMENTS FROM THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AUTHORS

“The initiative partners have great insights about the local landscape — both the wildlife movement and traffic patterns — and shared their expertise during the site assessment and alternatives analysis so that we’re putting the right crossing in the right location. Choosing the locations is the most important part of the design process and it’s a pleasure to work with such an engaged and collaborative group.”

–Melanie C. Klym, PE, RG/LG, ENV SP, Senior Engineer and Geomorphologist with River Design Group

"The Initiative partners took time to provide their thoughts and insights on how they envisioned this project succeeding. This input resulted in a well-considered set of wildlife crossing structures the group should be very proud of!" 

-Leslie Bliss-Ketchum, Ph.D., Founder and Director, Samara Group