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Creating a system of roads can have significant ecological effects on many wildlife and fish species. Animals need to move across the landscape to use different habitats for foraging, dispersal of young, or for seasonal migration. Habitats must be accessible, continuous, and large enough to allow occupancy.
Writing Biological Assessments for WSDOT
Compliance with Federal and State Fish & Wildlife Regulations
Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Crossings
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I-90 Wildlife Underpass Crossing |
WSDOT has a new policy directive (
Executive Order 1031, "Protections and Connections for High Quality Natural Habitats") which mandates consideration of habitat values and wildlife movement needs in all Transportation activities. WSDOT and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are co-leading development of a Statewide Habitat Connectivity Plan that will identify important wildlife corridors between wildland blocks statewide. This plan will be an important tool for the conservation of wildlife habitat and will identify the highway segments where wildlife movements are important to consider in transportation planning, project development, and operation of the transportation system.
In some instances, the needs of wildlife will require installation of fencing or crossing structures. There are several ongoing projects in which wildlife crossing issues play a key role. Some of the most visible projects include:
Wildlife Carcass Removal Database
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Deer carcass removal hotspots in Washington State (Click image for larger map) |
WSDOT maintenance crews submit data on wildlife (primarily deer and elk) carcasses removed from state highways. WSDOT Geographic Information Systems and biological staff make these data available for mapping and general queries to help with project planning and identification of problem areas. These data are being used to identify the most important locations for installation of fencing and crossing structures to reduce wildlife mortalities and improve highway safety.
WSDOT deer and elk - carcass removal contact:
Victoria Fursman.
Related Links:
Wildlife-Related WSDOT Research and Guidance:
Wildlife on Bridges
Biologists in the Environmental Services Office have been developing guidance for WSDOT maintenance personnel to assure that highway maintenance activities do not impact protected terrestrial species that occur on WSDOT bridges throughout the state. A summary of species that may inhabit WSDOT bridges and the regulations pertaining to them are highlighted in the Wildlife on Bridges brochure.
ESA Listing and Consultation Hot Topics
BA Preparation for Transportation Projects Seminar - October, 2008
WSDOT will hold its next BA Preparation for Transportation Projects seminar on October 6-7, 2008.
BA Preparation Re-Qualification Seminar - November, 2008
For on-call consultants whose senior or junior author qualification status will expire in 2008, WSDOT will hold a re-qualification seminar.
Biological Assessment Templates - January, 2008
WSDOT has developed three templates (no effect letter, no effect assessment, and biological assessment) that can be used for ESA documentation, depending on the effect determination on federally listed species and designated critical habitat, and level of analysis. On-call consultants who prepare biological assessments for WSDOT are required to use the format provided in these templates.
Stormwater Guidance - January, 2008
WSDOT has updated their stormwater guidance to aid in the stormwater analysis required for biological assessments.
Bald and Golden Eagle Act Compliance Information
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act applies to everyone, so for WSDOT projects, a biologist assesses potential project impacts to bald eagles to ensure we are in compliance with the Eagle Act.
Southern DPS of Green Sturgeon Posted on NMFS Species List
On June 26 the NMFS put the southern DPS of green sturgeon on their Washington species list website as potentially occurring in Washington coastal waters http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Species-Lists.cfm.
The DPS was split into northern and southern segments in 2003. The southern DPS was listed last year as a threatened species, while the northern DPS is a species of concern. Southern green sturgeon spawn in the Sacramento River, California, while northern green sturgeon spawn in the Klamath and Rogue Rivers. Genetic and tagging data indicate the stocks comingle in the Columbia River estuary, Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor during the summer as sub-adults and adults.
Changes in ESA Listings
Northern Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf Distinct Population Segment Delisted - Effective March 28, 2008 - Note: This applies to wolves in eastern Washington east of US 97 and SR 17 north of Mesa and east of US 395 south of Mesa only.
Canada Lynx - Proposed rule to revise designated critical habitat for the contiguous United States distinct population segment of the Canada lynx - February 28, 2008
Basalt Daisy and Slender Moonwort Removed From Candidate List - On December 6, 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published their Candidate Notice of Review. The basalt daisy and slender moonwort were removed from the list of species that are candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
Delisting of Bald Eagle - August 8, 2007 - The bald eagle is still protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Upper Columbia River DPS Steelhead - reinstated to endangered -June 13, 2007
Northern Spotted Owl proposed Critical Habitat - proposed revision - June 2007
Listing of Puget Sound Steelhead - May, 2007 - The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced the listing (pdf 24 kb) of the Puget Sound distinct population segment (DPS) of steelhead as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The listing was published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2007 and will take effect on June 11, 2007.
Pile Driving and Impacts on Fish
A California Department of Transportation research paper provides information on the Effects of Sound on Fish.
Injury of Fish Exposed to Pile Driving (pdf 160 kb) - June, 2006