The Uneven Road to Wildlife Safety: A Tale of Two Wyoming Crossings
Wyoming’s highways are more than just routes for travelers—they’re battlegrounds for wildlife survival. Two major wildlife crossing projects, both aimed at reducing animal fatalities and improving human safety, highlight the stark contrast between progress and stagnation. One is surging ahead, while the other remains mired in funding limbo. What makes this particularly fascinating is how these projects reveal deeper truths about conservation, economics, and the often-frustrating dance with federal funding.
Kemmerer’s Triumph: A Model for Efficiency?
The $30 million wildlife crossing project near Kemmerer, Wyoming, is a rare success story in the world of infrastructure. Initially slated for completion in late 2028, it’s now on track to finish by October 31, 2027—a full year ahead of schedule. This isn’t just about saving mule deer, elk, and pronghorn from becoming roadkill; it’s about preserving a vital migration route for one of Wyoming’s most prized wildlife herds.
What many people don’t realize is that this project isn’t just a humanitarian gesture—it’s an economic lifeline. The Wyoming Range mule deer herd is a cornerstone of the state’s hunting and tourism industries. By reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions (averaging 80 annually, though likely underreported), the project safeguards not just animals but also the livelihoods of communities dependent on wildlife-driven revenue.
From my perspective, the Kemmerer project’s success underscores the power of focused effort and adequate funding. It’s a reminder that when resources align with urgency, even complex conservation initiatives can thrive. But it also raises a deeper question: Why isn’t this the norm?
Dubois’s Dilemma: Stuck in Funding Purgatory
Contrast Kemmerer’s progress with the $28 million Dubois wildlife crossing project, which remains indefinitely stalled. Despite raising $2.6 million in private donations and securing some state funding, the project is short $16 million in federal grants. This isn’t just a bureaucratic snag—it’s a life-or-death issue for hundreds of mule deer killed annually along U.S. Highway 26/287.
What this really suggests is that federal funding for wildlife conservation is both critical and capricious. As WYldlife Fund Vice President Breanna Ball pointed out, competition for grants is fierce, with projects across the West vying for limited resources. This raises a broader issue: How do we prioritize wildlife safety when funding is so unpredictable?
Personally, I think the Dubois project’s struggle highlights a systemic problem. Wildlife crossings aren’t just about saving animals—they’re about protecting human drivers, preserving ecosystems, and sustaining local economies. Yet, federal grant managers often fail to see the bigger picture. As retired wildlife biologist Walt Gasson aptly noted, it’s a “blinding flash of the obvious” that these projects are essential. But convincing those holding the purse strings remains an uphill battle.
The Economic Argument: Wildlife as Wyoming’s Crown Jewel
One thing that immediately stands out is how deeply intertwined wildlife conservation is with Wyoming’s economy. Dubois, for instance, relies heavily on its reputation as a haven for “wild things in wild places.” When wildlife suffers, so do local businesses. This isn’t just a moral issue—it’s an economic one.
If you take a step back and think about it, the failure to fund projects like Dubois isn’t just a loss for mule deer; it’s a missed opportunity for the entire state. Tourism, hunting, and outdoor recreation are pillars of Wyoming’s economy. By neglecting wildlife crossings, we’re essentially undermining our own prosperity.
The Human Factor: Safety and Near-Misses
A detail that I find especially interesting is the human safety aspect often overlooked in these discussions. Gasson’s personal anecdotes about near-misses with deer between Dubois and Burris are a stark reminder that wildlife collisions aren’t just tragic for animals—they’re dangerous for drivers.
This raises a deeper question: Why do we treat wildlife crossings as optional when they’re clearly a matter of public safety? In my opinion, this disconnect stems from a failure to connect the dots between wildlife conservation and human well-being.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Wyoming’s Wildlife?
The Kemmerer and Dubois projects are microcosms of a larger national challenge. As we move forward, I believe we need a paradigm shift in how we approach wildlife conservation. Federal funding should be more predictable, and projects should be evaluated not just on their ecological merits but also on their economic and safety implications.
What makes this moment particularly pivotal is the growing awareness of the interconnectedness of wildlife, humans, and economies. The success of the Kemmerer project offers a blueprint for what’s possible, while the struggles of Dubois serve as a cautionary tale.
In the end, the question isn’t whether we can afford to build wildlife crossings—it’s whether we can afford not to. As Gasson said, it should be “a blinding flash of the obvious.” The challenge now is to make sure those holding the purse strings see it that way too.
