4 sites along Highway 20 near Sisters and Bend identified as potential wildlife passages

Four potential wildlife crossing locations have been identified on Highway 20 between Sisters and Suttle Lake, the Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative announced.

An estimated 350 to 600 mule deer and elk are killed annually by vehicles on the section of Highway 20 between Suttle Lake and Bend, the highest density in the state. The installation of the overpass crossings will address safety concerns for the wildlife and drivers along the highway.

"Highway 20 is a formidable barrier to wildlife movement, and the risk of injury or mortality to wildlife is increasing as traffic volumes rise," said Rachel Wheat, wildlife connectivity coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. "The highway bisects critical migration and movement pathways for mule deer and elk, and makes it more difficult for all wildlife, large and small, to access the resources they need to survive.”

Based on results from a nine-month corridor feasibility study completed in July, four sites were chosen and proposed as potential locations for crossings.

Eleven initial sites were identified along the 35 miles between Bend and Suttle Lake. The final four sites, located at mileposts 94.6, 94, 92, and 90, were chosen based on the following criteria:

• adjacent to publicly owned lands
• high wildlife-vehicle collision densities
• high value to migrating wildlife
• proximity to the other crossing sites

The project is now moving into phase two, which includes finalizing engineering and design for the four crossings. The coalition for the wildlife crossings will also need to raise $560,000 through state and private donations to apply for federal funds that require a non-federal match. Those interested in donating can do so at bit.ly/Donate2Bend2Suttle

Seven other sites will be completed as more funding is acquired, according to a news release.

Elliott Deins is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at edeins@salem.gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: 4 sites along Highway 20 near Sisters and Bend identified as potential wildlife passages