Teton County Commissioners to consider wildlife crossing plan

The Teton County (Wyoming) County Commission will host a workshop Monday to review a new wildlife crossings master plan. The study identifies sites where wildlife crossing structures can protect both people and wildlife and their migration routes.

The master plan, developed in conjunction with the Western Transportation Institute, is proposed to become part of the county’s Integrated Transportation Plan. That plan identifies wildlife-vehicle collisions as a hazard to human safety and recognizes they have a significant economic impact on humans as well as substantial detrimental effects to wildlife populations, migration and overall habitat conservation. The county’s 2015 Comprehensive Plan also identified wildlife conservation as an important directive.

The plan outlines 12 possible locations for wildlife crossings. The three highest priorities include areas where road construction work is already being planned. They are the Highway 22/390 intersection near the Snake River Bridge, Highway 22 from Spring Creek to Bar Y and Camp Creek (Hoback Junction to the mouth of Hoback Canyon.

The master plan points out that each site will require more extensive feasibility research. The next steps will include preliminary planning, engineering and cost estimations.

County engineers have submitted a capital request of $150,000 for Fiscal Year 2019 to begin implementation of the Master Plan. Other agencies may also participate to provide additional match-funding.

You can view the staff report on the wildlife crossing project here.

You can view the Wildlife Crossings Master Plan here.

The Monday meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the County Commissioner’s Chambers at 200 S. Willow in Jackson.