Anyone who has traveled the Interstate 5 corridor knows that the busy freeway creates a dangerous barrier to wildlife.
I-5 impedes daily wildlife movement, as local black bear, mountain lion, deer and other species attempt to move through their home range and access the water and riparian habitat of the Sacramento and Klamath Rivers.
These animals have very few opportunities to safely cross the winding freeway in the Sacramento River canyon area and, unfortunately, the sight of a dead black bear, mountain lion, or deer along the freeway is common. Due to particularly high levels of wildlife mortality in this area—especially for black bears - CalTrans (California Department of Transportation) has even posted warning signs depicting a family of black bears on the roadway. However, it's not enough.
To preserve the rich diversity of wildlife in the Shasta-Trinity wilderness, we need to reduce the conflict between transportation and wildlife on this section of Interstate 5. To do this, we propose adding some options proven to reduce wildlife on roadways, including directional fencing and purpose-built overcrossings.
These overcrossings will be located in areas corresponding to existing wildlife migration paths (see migrations maps below) taking advantage of the already established wildlife habits and behaviors.
Click any map to ZOOM.
Wildlife Migration Corridors - Redding to Oregon Border |
Northern California Wildlife Migration Corridors |
contact us
