Pew Applauds California for Enacting Wildlife Crossing Measure

Sacramento, CA—The Pew Charitable Trusts today commended California state lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom (D) for enacting bipartisan legislation that integrates wildlife connectivity into the state’s transportation planning framework. S.B. 1250 requires Caltrans—the state’s Department of Transportation—to incorporate wildlife connectivity into highway asset management and planning, define performance measures and objectives, and identify priority locations for infrastructure upgrades to reduce vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity.

Andy Maggi, an officer with Pew’s U.S. conservation project, issued the following statement:

“Each year, thousands of wildlife-vehicle collisions on California roadways put motorists and native wildlife in harm’s way and cause about $250 million in damage. California is taking a smarter, more accountable approach to reducing those collisions and reconnecting critical habitat for wildlife throughout the state. By establishing clear goals, performance measures, and a framework for identifying and tracking key locations for improvements, this legislation will deliver safer roads for people, reduce costly collisions, reconnect critical habitat, and help ensure that the iconic species of the nation’s most biodiverse state will continue to be part of its natural landscape.