Request for Public Input on the DBS&A-led Wildlife Corridors Action Plan
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) has released the Draft Wildlife Corridors Action Plan (Plan) for public review. The Plan has been prepared in accordance with New Mexico Senate Bill 228, the Wildlife Corridors Act (Act). The Act directed the NMDOT and the NMDGF to develop the Plan for NMDOT roads statewide and identify wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots posing a particularly high risk to the traveling public.
Our Involvement and Plan Overview
A team of national experts led by Daniel B. Stephens and Associates (DBS&A), under contract with NMDOT and in partnership with NMDGF, developed the Plan. The DBS&A team used a science-driven approach to identify areas per the Act that “pose a risk to successful wildlife migration or that pose a risk to the traveling public” and is based on NMDOT crash data and ecological information on wildlife movements.
Using ecological data and modeling, the Plan also identifies wildlife corridors that bisect roads, and provides a list of priority projects based on the results of the Plan’s analysis. The Plan focuses primarily on the movements of six large mammals: elk, deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, black bear, and mountain lion. However, sensitive species and other important factors were also taken into consideration when developing the priority project list.
The Draft Plan is available for review on the NMDOT website: https://wildlifeactionplan.nmdotprojects.org/
Get Involved: Public Comment Period and Virtual Meetings
With the release of the Plan, there is an opportunity from now until March 12, 2022, for the public and engaged stakeholders to provide input and support for potential actions that will increase public safety and promote wildlife habitat connectivity.
In addition, two virtual public meetings will be held to provide a summary of the Plan, and allow attendees to provide comments and ask questions. The meetings will be held on February 1st and February 3rd starting at 6:00 pm (MST). Click the dates below to register. Residents, landowners, and all interested parties are encouraged to review the Plan, participate in the meetings, and provide comments.
Participate in a Live Virtual Meeting
- February 1st starting at 6:00 pm (MST) Click here to register.
- February 3rd starting at 6:00 pm (MST) Click here to register.
Share Your Comments:
Click here and share your comments by March 12, 2022
Please contact Matthew Haverland, NMDOT Wildlife Coordinator, wildlife.corridors@state.nm.us or call 505-470-3656 if you have any questions.