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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

OR Lawmakers Consider Bill to Protect Wildlife from Busy Roads

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Monday, May 1, 2023   

Oregon lawmakers are considering a measure to increase the number of wildlife crossings in the state.

Crossings help animals get under or over busy roads, connecting habitats especially for large animals. House Bill 2999 would provide funding for wildlife crossings, adding to a $5 million investment passed by the Legislature last year.

Bill Richardson, senior conservation program manager for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which has worked with the state on crossings, urged lawmakers to pass the bill.

"We see huge benefits to elk and mule deer," Richardson explained. "And most importantly, maybe, to people that can avoid vehicle wildlife collisions because these crossings enable safe passage of wildlife."

The Oregon Department of Transportation reported more than 4,800 collisions between vehicles and wildlife in 2022. Oregon is behind other states in its number of completed crossings, with just five. For comparison, Colorado has 65, and Utah and California each have 50.

Monty Gregg, forest wildlife biologist for the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, said crossings are critical for migrating animals such as elk and mule deer.

"The fence guides them to the under crossing," Gregg noted. "Just based on the monitoring, they've been highly successful thus far."

Richardson added funding from the Legislature would also help the state leverage federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is providing $350 million to states over five years for wildlife crossing solutions.

"One of the reasons we're advocating for crossings and for additional funding through the Legislature is so that we can apply match to the IIJA funding," Richardson pointed out. "A and to be more competitive and set the state up for success in those efforts."

Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.


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