Assembly hearing: bill would raise tire-fee to fund Nevada wildlife crossings

CARSON CITY — Assembly Bill 486, sponsored by Assemblymember Natha Anderson, would raise Nevada’s tire-recycling fee from $1 per tire to $2 and dedicate the revenue to the State Wildlife Crossing account to expand wildlife crossing infrastructure designed to reduce collisions between vehicles and wildlife.

Assemblymember Natha Anderson, sponsor of AB 486 and chair of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, described existing wildlife crossings in Elko and elsewhere as “incredibly successful,” citing frequent mule deer use of crossings and a corresponding drop in collisions. Nick Calero, senior officer with The Pew Charitable Trusts, urged the committee to view the measure as a fiscally responsible investment and provided regional examples of large appropriations for crossings in other Western states.

The bill would direct the additional dollar-per-tire revenue to the State Wildlife Crossing account created by last session’s AB 112. Proponents said the measure would create a steady revenue stream to address a list of roughly 30 NDOT-identified crossing priorities and argued that crossings reduce costs associated with vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity.

Nick Calero told the committee that NDOT reports more than 500 wildlife-vehicle collisions per year in Nevada, with an estimated statewide cost north of $20 million annually. He cited NDOT and national figures that estimate an average cost per collision of about $20,000 for deer, roughly $75,000 for elk and more than $110,000 for moose collisions. Calero and other witnesses said those official counts likely understate the true number of collisions.

Experts and advocates who testified in support included representatives from the Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition, the Board of Wildlife Commissioners, Nevada conservation groups and the Sierra Club. NDOT environmental staff described planned projects including fencing and crossings at locations such as the Dumpy Hills along Interstate 80 and a planned research project at the Spooner Summit near Lake Tahoe.

Several supporters emphasized public-safety benefits for drivers and the potential to restore migratory corridors for mule deer and other species. “This is a bill that is asking for the occasional $1 to potentially prevent a wildlife‑vehicle collision in the future,” Calero said.

Opposition testimony came from the Nevada Trucking Association. Paul Enos, CEO of the association, said raising the per‑tire fee would disproportionately affect fleet operators who purchase many tires annually and urged committee consideration of a conceptual amendment to better coordinate NDOT planning and mitigation during large road projects.

NDOT’s communications director, Joe Harrington, testified in neutral and asked the committee to consider raising the threshold that triggers a cost‐benefit analysis in NDOT planning from $25 million to $50 million if the conceptual amendment discussed with stakeholders is adopted. NDOT staff also participated in the technical discussions, answering members’ questions about fence height (typically about 8 feet for large mammals), species involved (predominantly mule deer, but also elk, pronghorn, cattle and others) and site selection methods tied to collision and migration data.

No committee vote occurred during the hearing; the sponsor closed by thanking members and noting ongoing conversations about amendments.

Why it matters

Proponents say the dedicated funding would sustain and expand crossings that reduce collisions, save emergency response and repair costs and reconnect fragmented habitat for mule deer and other species. Opponents say fee increases should not disproportionately burden industry fleets and urged closer coordination of mitigation with NDOT planning.

What’s next

The bill was heard and remains under consideration; sponsors and stakeholders indicated ongoing conversations about a conceptual amendment that could address trucking-industry concerns and certain NDOT planning thresholds.