Mule deer and elk in central Oregon must migrate to survive. Each summer, they travel westward roughly 100 miles from the arid shrub-steppe to access lush vegetation in the Cascade Mountains. When autumn arrives they return to lower elevations to avoid the snow.  These long-distance movements between winter and summer ranges often bring wildlife into conflict with humans. The most dangerous conflicts occur when animals are forced to cross busy roads.  Wildlife-vehicle collisions are usually fatal for wildlife and sometimes humans.

Ungulates in particular are susceptible to wildlife-vehicle collisions. These collisions have contributed to a decline in Oregon’s total mule deer population.  The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) estimates vehicle-strikes result in 500-1000 annual mule deer deaths.  Research has shown that wildlife crossings result in a reduction in wildlife-vehicle collusions by 86% and an increase in habitat connectivity for a range of species including mule deer and elk.

As a major, travel route from Oregon to California and Nevada, U.S. 97 is currently undergoing expansion. To improve safety and reduce vehicle animal collisions, a wildlife underpass will be implemented and studied for effectiveness. The support of The Olseth Family Foundation will assist in the necessary fencing and other structures to keep animals off the highway and direct them towards the crossing structures. Previous research has shown wildlife over and underpasses result in an increase in habitat connectivity for a range of species, including mule deer, elk, and up to an 86% reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions.

The Olseth Family Foundation has promoted the construction of wildlife crossings in Oregon through providing support for three projects.

• Fencing for an underpass along US Route 97.  This highway was identified as a common hotspot for wildlife-vehicle collisions Exclusionary fencing is crucial for keeping animals off other parts of the highway and funneling them in to the safe crossing.
• A feasibility study to determine the best place to build wildlife overpasses along the I-5 corridor, with work beginning on two overpasses to be built in Southern Oregon. These will be the first of their kind in Oregon.
• A feasibility report on wildlife crossings along Oregon State Highway 82 and Interstate Highway 84 in Northeast Oregon.  The Report will include a corridor assessment, conceptual design, and construction cost estimates for possible wildlife crossing in the Northeast corner of Oregon.