Here’s How New York State Will Help Wildlife and Drivers

It is beautiful to see wildlife while driving all over New York State but there hasn't been a whole lot of protection. Now a new act that was passed allows more safety for wildlife and drivers on the roadways across New York State.

The New York Wildlife Crossings Act asks the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) to look at roads in the state and find spots where wildlife crossings are needed. The aim is to help animals move around safely, cut down on car accidents involving wildlife, and make driving safer for everyone.

The DOT will use their study to make a list of the top ten places in the state that need wildlife crossings the most. For the top five spots, they’ll also look for federal money to help fund these projects.

The Biden Administration has set aside $350 million for wildlife crossings as part of the Infrastructure Law from 2021. In December 2023, $110 million of this money was already given out for wildlife crossings. With this new Wildlife Crossings Act, New York is in a good position to get some of these funds.

According to Adirondack Almanack, Peter Bauer, who is the Executive Director of Protect the Adirondacks, said this new law is a big step toward better wildlife planning and management in New York. He believes it will greatly improve wildlife protection and help identify important wildlife pathways.

Wildlife crossings can be things like overpass bridges, tunnels under roads, and special fences. These help animals cross roads safely, which reduces car accidents and helps more animals survive as they move around areas like the Adirondack Park.

Safe road crossings are especially important for big animals like moose, deer, bears, wolves, and bobcats, as well as smaller animals like foxes, reptiles, and amphibians. These crossings help them find food and breeding areas without getting hit by cars.