There are 1,000 animal vehicle collisions (AVCs) a year in the Deschutes County area on state highways and feeder roads that bisect ancient migratory routes for mule deer and for other wildlife. At an average cost of $6500 per collision, total costs to the public total $6,500,000 yearly when there are no human fatalities or litigation. The most effective solutions are wildlife crossings that reduce AVCs by 80-90 per cent, thus paying for themselves. Incorporating crossings and other enhancement measures in transportation construction projects is accepted practice. Most western states have dozens of crossings and are constructing more. They make transportation routes safer for humans and for wildlife, they protect the environment, and they save taxpayers millions of dollars a year.

We, the undersigned, respectfully ask the Oregon Department of Transportation to make habitat connectivity for wildlife a priority in all maintenance and new transportation construction projects.