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SB 1250 would embed wildlife connectivity into Caltrans planning to reduce collisions
Summary
SB 1250 would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into its Transportation Asset Management Plan; sponsors said crossings and paired fencing can cut large-mammal collisions by 80–97% and cited UC Davis estimates of over $200 million in annual wildlife-vehicle collision costs.
Sponsor Senator Cortez (presenter) told the committee SB 1250 would integrate wildlife connectivity into Caltrans' Transportation Asset Management Plan, establishing performance measures and coordination with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The sponsor said treating wildlife crossings and culverts as core transportation assets would deliver safer roads and more cost-effective investments.
Michael Jarrett of The Nature Conservancy urged support and cited a UC Davis Road Ecology Center estimate of an annual statewide cost of above $200,000,000 from wildlife-vehicle collisions; Kelsey Seemer of the Honey Lake Valley Resource Conservation District described persistent collision hotspots on Highway 395 in her rural district and said proactive planning would relieve local communities of one-time, grant-driven project burdens. The committee accepted amendments and moved the item to appropriations on call.
