Committee hears testimony to expand Oregon wildlife-crossing program to reduce vehicle collisions

Co-Chairs Helm and Owens opened a public hearing on House Bill 2978, which would modify ODOT’s Wildlife Vehicle Collision Reduction Program, ask ODOT and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish an advisory group for the program, and change ODOT reporting requirements.

Why it matters: Proponents told the committee that wildlife crossings — including overpasses, underpasses and associated fencing — are proven to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and reconnect fragmented habitat. Witnesses said collisions present public-safety risks, impose direct costs on motorists and the state, and limit wildlife population resilience and genetic diversity.

Bernadette Graham Hudson, Wildlife Division Administrator at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, told the committee that “roads and traffic can create barriers to movement and significant risks to injury and mortality for wildlife.” She summarized ODFW mapping called priority wildlife connectivity areas (PWCAs) and said 156 primary priority areas align closely with ODOT collision data. “Unfortunately, Oregon only has six wildlife crossing structures that have been designed exclusively for wildlife use,” Graham Hudson said, adding the state lags other Western states that have many more crossings.

Amy Ramsdell, division administrator for delivery and operations at ODOT, said the department has no ongoing program budget for wildlife crossings and has relied on one-time funds and grants. Ramsdell told the committee that ODOT secured $33,000,000 for a crossing on I-5 and that the total project cost is about $37,000,000; those funds are being used for design work and to provide match for federal grants. Ramsdell said the measure would formalize collaboration between ODOT and ODFW and expand on work in ODOT’s Wildlife Corridor Action Plan, but “additional resources would be needed in order to implement the bill.”

Srishti Kamal, Deputy Director at the Western Environmental Law Center, urged support and highlighted data she said show the program’s benefits: “Properly sited wildlife crossings are known to bring collision numbers down significantly. Oregon’s own Highway 97 crossing project has reduced deer-vehicle collisions by over 90 percent in just the first two years,” Kamal said. Tristan Henry, Oregon field representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said the bill would help Oregon leverage federal funding and “reconnect fragmented wildlife habitats and significantly reduce dangerous wildlife-vehicle collisions.”

David Ellenberger, Oregon project manager for the Wildlands Network, said HB 2978 draws on best practices from other states, would attract federal dollars and said the program would improve safety for motorists while restoring habitat connectivity.

Committee members offered brief comments in support. Representative Levy and Representative Boyce praised prior work and local projects; Rep. Boyce linked healthier deer and elk populations to broader landscape benefits.

No formal action or vote occurred at the hearing. Agency presenters and stakeholders repeatedly emphasized that available state funding is small relative to need and that HB 2978 would help coordinate agencies and improve the state’s competitiveness for federal grants.

The committee moved the bill forward to its next step in the process (public hearing closed and the committee proceeded to the next bill).