Pew Applauds Montana for Enacting Historic Funding Account and Dedicated Revenue for Wildlife Crossings

WASHINGTON—The Pew Charitable Trusts today applauded Montana Governor Greg Gianforte (R) for signing bipartisan legislation supporting the construction of wildlife crossings in the state, in a move designed to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity.

Montana has the nation’s second-highest per capita rate of wildlife-vehicle accidents, with the average Montanan facing a 1-in-53 chance of hitting an animal each year.

Montana H.B. 855, sponsored by Representative Katie Zolnikov (R), creates the Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account. Administered by the state’s Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, the account will be used to design, construct, and maintain wildlife crossings, which can help alleviate collisions. The bill also establishes a specialty license plate program, with the proceeds going to the new account.

In addition, Montana H.B. 932, authored by Representative Becky Edwards (D) and sponsored by Representative Ken Walsh (R), will allocate 20% of marijuana tax revenue into a Habitat Legacy Account, a portion of which would be earmarked for funding wildlife crossing infrastructure across the state. This dedicated funding stream makes Montana the first state to identify and commit a permanent revenue source of this magnitude to life-saving wildlife crossing infrastructure.

Nic Callero, a senior officer with Pew’s U.S. conservation project, issued the following statement:

“By establishing the Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, Montana is making a bold commitment to make roads safer and improve habitat connectivity. In a state with one of the country’s highest rates of wildlife-vehicle collisions, this investment will reduce costs, protect drivers, and conserve Montana’s diverse wildlife.”

“And dedicating a portion of the Habitat Legacy Account funding for wildlife crossings marks a historic step forward in reducing Montana’s wildlife-vehicle collisions. For the first time, the state will have dedicated resources to swiftly develop and implement critical wildlife crossing infrastructure that makes roads safer for people and wildlife.”