Bill Would Create New Specialty License Plate to Fund Wildlife Crossings in Montana
Collisions with wildlife contribute to more than 10% of all car accidents in Montana — the second-highest of any state
Every year, more than 3,200 Montana drivers are involved in accidents with wildlife, according to the state Department of Transportation. And every year, department maintenance crews and tribal officers collect more than 6,000 wildlife animal carcasses, primarily large mammals, from the state’s roadways.
Data analyzed by State Farm Insurance shows collisions with wildlife contribute to more than 10% of all car accidents in Montana, making Big Sky Country the second-highest risk state.
Speaker Pro Tempore Katie Zolnikov, speaking to the House Transportation Committee, said a recent survey showed that 70% of Montana drivers have been involved in a collision with wildlife.
“That’s the problem that we’re aiming to fix with this, because there are many Montanans that are impacted by these wildlife vehicle collisions,” said Zolnikov, R-Billings.
Zolnikov introduced House Bill 855, to create a new specialty license plate for Montana drivers. The funds would be allocated to a new Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks account that can be used in consultation with DOT to research, design, build and maintain wildlife crossing structures, which can include overpasses, underpasses, culverts and fencing.
The Montana House of Representatives passed the bill this week with just six votes in opposition.
The big game and wildlife highway crossings and accommodations account will be funded through a $20 fee collected from drivers who select the specialty license plate, which will be designed by FWP. The bill’s fiscal note estimates that the plate could generate roughly $160,000 annually, based on existing donations associated with the state’s 203 other specialty plates.
By establishing the special revenue account, which could also accept gifts and donations, FWP and DOT would be able to provide matching funds for grants that fund wildlife crossing projects.
Chris Dorrington, DOT director, testified in support of the bill during the committee hearing and said it was the result of extensive coordination.
“Wildlife, accommodations and associated fencing are very expensive,” Dorrington said. “Average simple underpasses are between $500,000 and $2 million, simple overpasses are between $3 and $10 million. The costs increase dramatically if you’re on multi-lane facilities such as interstates. MDT cannot meet future accommodation needs just with the current funding in place.”
“This bill is a positive way for the public to engage and show support for wildlife accommodations,” he said.
Dorrington cited studies that show wildlife fencing, crossings, and associated structures greatly reduce wildlife collisions, including up to 80% for large wildlife overpasses.
Nearly a dozen groups testified in favor of the legislation, including wildlife and conservation groups, insurance companies, the Association of Montana Troopers and Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
The bill drew no opponents.
Montana has more than 125 wildlife crossing structures in place along its highways, according to the MDT. That includes 41 structures along U.S. Highway 93 between Evaro and Polson, installed from 2009 to 2010 through a cooperative effort between MDT, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Federal Highway Administration.
The most obvious structure to passing motorists is the “Animals’ Trail,” a 197-foot-wide vegetated bridge that spans the busy highway near Gray Wolf Peak Casino at the southern end of the Flathead Indian Reservation.
In 2023, the CSKT received an $8.6 million grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to construct a wildlife overpass spanning U.S. 93, within the Ninepipe National Wildlife Management Area.
HB 855 has been transmitted to the Senate and referred to the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee.
By Micah Drew for the Daily Montanan