The quest to insert wildlife overpasses continues with the Idaho Wildlife Federation (IWF) joining hands with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC). Just as Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) tried, transportation projects are being used to get the job done for overpasses.
IWF provided recommendations to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) for underpasses and overpasses on specific ITD projects. Starting on adobe page 123 in this document, the IWF recommended overpasses at several Idaho locations in the FY2020-26 Draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). Although IWF identified and commented on several transportation projects throughout Idaho, specific comments on Island Park were omitted even though IWF provided a map of the area. GYC also provided comments on Hwy 20 in Island Park including US 20, JCT SH 87 to MT state line (Targhee Pass) PH 1 & PH 2 (Key#14054). With the proposed widening of Targhee Pass, GYC recommends that all phases of this project incorporate mitigation for wildlife vehicle collisions and wildlife movement. This is important core and connective habitat for Yellowstone grizzly bears and other Yellowstone wildlife; US20, Buffalo River Bridge to Island Park Lodge, Fremont County (Key 20435). With the widening of the road to include a passing lane, consider an increased bridge span (underpass) to allow for wildlife movement; US20, Pinehaven to Buffalo River Bridge, Fremont County (Key# 20486). GYC strongly encourages ITD to consider wildlife movement and wildlife vehicle collisions. The widening of Hwy 20 with a passing lane without wildlife mitigation may increase wildlife vehicle collisions and create a permanent barrier to wildlife movement; US20, Sheep Falls to Pinehaven Passing Lanes, Fremont County (Key# 20581). GYC strongly encourages ITD to consider wildlife movement and wildlife vehicle collisions. The widening of Hwy 20 with a passing lane without wildlife mitigation may increase wildlife vehicle collisions and create a permanent barrier to wildlife movement; US20, Pinehaven to Buffalo River Bridge, Fremont County (Key#21920). GYC strongly encourages ITD to consider wildlife movement and wildlife vehicle collisions. The widening of Hwy 20 with a passing lane without wildlife mitigation may increase wildlife vehicle collisions and create a permanent barrier to wildlife movement; and US20, Fall River Bridge, Fremont County (Key#ORN22234). This is an important area for big game movement, particularly moose. GYC encourages ITD to incorporate mitigation to allow for wildlife movement (expanding the bridge span, underpass) and reduce wildlife vehicle collisions. The above recommendations was signed by Kathy Rinaldi, Idaho Conservation Coordinator. No name was given for IWF however it most likely written by Brian Brooks, IWF Executive Director. Complicit in this is ITD. As it was learned that Y2Y was influencing, perhaps even directing ITD on overpasses, it appears now that GYC has joined hands with ITD for the same objective. These comments were given in July/August, 2019. How interesting there was no local Island Park residents involved. In May, 2019, Jason Minzghor, ITD District 6 Engineer, was pursuing money for the exact same projects listed by Kathy Rinaldi. All of this in spite of the fact that Fremont County citizens had soundly rejected any overpasses in Island Park. This cannot possible be a coincidence, instead of Y2Y, ITD is now working with GYC as shown by their direct involvement in funding the purchase of conservation easements for overpasses in Southeast Idaho. On adobe page 59 in this document, Mr. Minzghor is requesting to "increase professional services agreement amount to over $1,000,000 for JUB Engineers" for US-20 Projects Sheep Falls to Pine Haven, Pine Haven to Buffalo River Bridge, and Buffalo River Bridge to Island Park Lodge, Fremont County. The initial cost paid to JUB for studying the area was $283,565. But now the request is an estimated $3.24M! This cost is intended to "complete the preliminary design of these projects" and collaboration "to transition into construction in order to meet the accelerated schedules for these projects." Why is the schedule accelerated? And why such a dramatic cost increase? Are wildlife underpasses, so desperately wanted by GYC, part of this new cost? Some research into this will need to be done to determine exactly what ITD plans to do with this money. One fact for sure is that the IWF supports the same objectives as GYC, fencing, underpasses and overpasses, and eventual declaration of wildlife corridors. Once again, Island Park residents are being left out of any opportunity to comment on these projects.
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Making Sense of It All
This blog will help you make sense out of all the information on the website, how it affects IP, our history, and how efforts continue to put IP into various forms of conservation status. Archives
May 2023
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