An Assessment of Wildlife-Transportation Issues in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem FINAL REPORT by Amanda Hardy Research Ecologist Western Transportation Institute College of Engineering, Montana State University Bozeman, Montana 59717 In collaboration with Steve Willer & Elizabeth Roberts-Williamson Conservation Geographic Information Systems Specialists American Wildlands, Geographic Information Systems Lab 40 East Main Street, Suite 2 Bozeman, Montana 59715 A report prepared for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition 13 S. Willson, Suite 2 P.O. Box 1874 Bozeman, MT 59771 January 8, 2007 An Assessment of Wildlife-Transportation Interactions in the GYE Disclaimer DISCLAIMER The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Montana State University, or any of the agencies contacted for information summarized in this report. Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided upon request. Persons with disabilities who need an alternative accessible format of this information, or who require some other reasonable accommodation to participate, should contact Kate Heidkamp, Communications and Information Systems Manager, Western Transportation Institute, Montana State University- Bozeman, PO Box 173910, Bozeman, MT 59717-3910, telephone number 406-994-7018, e- mail: [email protected]. To use animal-vehicle collision data obtained from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), the authors respectfully abide by MDT’s requirement of adherence to confidentiality interests, as follows: “By opening this data [delivered in a sealed envelope] you acknowledge that you understand that this information may be confidential under provisions of 23 U.S.C. 409. You also accept the State’s confidentiality interest. This includes responsibility for its confidentiality, including, but not limited to, protection from dissemination or release to parties known or unknown involved or contemplating litigation as well as its security in any electronic database in which it is incorporated. Section 409 states: Nothwithstanding any other provision of law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data compiled or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating or planning the safety enhancement of potential accident sites, hazardous roadway conditions, or railway highway crossings, pursuant to Sections 130, 144, and 152 of this title or for the purpose of developing any highway safety construction improvement project which may be implemented utilizing Federal-aid highway funds shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered for other purposes in any action for damages arising from any occurrence at a location mentioned or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data.” Montana Department of Transportation also provided this disclaimer with their 2004-2006 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): “While the projects and dates shown are official departmental objectives, it is important to bear in mind that this program is only tentative. Execution of this program is contingent on a number of factors, including federal and state funding availability, right- of-way acquisition, utility relocations, environmental review, surveying, and design. Complications with one or more of these factors may cause a given project to be rescheduled.” Western Transportation Institute ii An Assessment of Wildlife-Transportation Interactions in the GYE Acknowledgements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project was funded by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. Terry Hollingsworth initiated this project in 2003 and provided supportive information during the continuation of the project. The Western Transportation Institute (WTI) at Montana State University would like to thank the American Wildlands (AWL) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab and Steve Willer for the production of the maps. Eric Eidswick, Elizabeth Roberts, Lauren Oechsli, and Aaron Jones of the AWL GIS Lab were helpful throughout the process of collecting and mapping the data. James Mehlos of WTI provided assistance with data management and quality control. The following individuals and organizations provided helpful information, contacts, and data essential to this report: Jaime Eidswick, WTI; Sharon Mader, Jackson Hole Wildlife Federation; Kerry Gunther, Yellowstone National Park; Steve Cain, Grand Teton National Park; Justin Naderman & Crystal Christansen, Idaho Fish and Game; Eric Verner, Lance Holmstrom, Kathy Koon, Donald Galligin, Mark McNeis, Tim Cramer, Liza Fox, Gary Vecellio, and Tony Ernest of Idaho Transportation Department; Sandra Strahl, Pierre Jomini, Tom Haneck, Sheila Ludlow, and Skip Nyberg of the Montana Department of Transportation; and Bob Bonds, Dee West, Kevin Powell, Sara Hogan, Jim Stout, and Ben Saunders of the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Western Transportation Institute iii An Assessment of Wildlife-Transportation Interactions in the GYE Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ vii 2. List of Figures..........................................................................................................................x 3. Introduction..............................................................................................................................1 4. Study Area...............................................................................................................................2 5. Methodology............................................................................................................................4 5.1. Animal-vehicle collision density analysis ...................................................................... 4 5.2. State Transportation Improvement Programs ................................................................. 4 5.3. Corridors and Megasites................................................................................................. 5 6. Results......................................................................................................................................6 6.1. Montana Results.............................................................................................................. 9 6.1.1. Interstate 90........................................................................................................... 10 6.1.2. Interstate 15........................................................................................................... 12 6.1.3. US Highway 89, North of Interstate 90 ................................................................ 13 6.1.4. Montana Highway 86............................................................................................ 14 6.1.5. Montana Highway 287.......................................................................................... 15 6.1.6. US Highway 287/Montana Highway 87............................................................... 16 6.1.7. Montana Highway 84............................................................................................ 18 6.1.8. Montana Highway 85............................................................................................ 19 6.1.9. US Highway 191................................................................................................... 19 6.1.10. US Highway 89, South of Interstate 90 ................................................................ 21 6.1.11. Montana Highway 78............................................................................................ 22 6.1.12. US Highway 212................................................................................................... 23 6.1.13. US Highway 310................................................................................................... 24 6.1.14. Montana Highway 72............................................................................................ 24 6.2. Idaho Results................................................................................................................. 26 6.2.1. Interstate 15........................................................................................................... 26 6.2.2. US Highway 20..................................................................................................... 27 6.2.3. Idaho Highway 87................................................................................................. 28 6.2.4. Idaho Highway 33................................................................................................. 29 6.2.5. Idaho Highway 32................................................................................................. 29 6.2.6. Idaho Highway 31................................................................................................. 30 Western Transportation Institute Page iv An Assessment of Wildlife-Transportation Interactions in the GYE Table of Contents 6.2.7. US Highway 26..................................................................................................... 30 6.2.8. US Highway 89..................................................................................................... 32 6.2.9. Idaho Highway 34................................................................................................. 32 6.2.10. US Highway 30....................................................................................................