The landscape of the western United States is currently experiencing a period of significant change, as year after year, the region continues to be one the of fastest growing in the country. Utah stands at the heart of that change as one of the fastest growing states. Accelerated population growth is driving expansion of existing roads; construction of new roads, houses, and businesses; as well as increasing traffic volumes. Without active mitigation, these changes can result in loss of critical wildlife habitats and disruption of essential wildlife movements. Additionally, wildlife-vehicle collisions, which affect motorist safety and wildlife survival, can increase considerably. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) have been conducting mitigation projects to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity for wildlife since the 1970s. Since that time, over 60 wildlife crossing structures and hundreds of miles of exclusionary fencing have been installed throughout Utah. These projects have demonstrated a high degree of success in making roads safer for motorists and wildlife. Though there has been an incredible amount of work completed throughout the state, many areas still need improvements. In Utah, one area of high concern for DWR, UDOT, and many stakeholders is the interchange between Interstate 80 and Interstate 84. The interchange is located in northern Utah, approximately 30 miles northeast of Salt Lake City. Both interstates are national transportation corridors and have high traffic volumes (11,000-17,000 vehicles/day) and a high percentage (~40%) of large truck traffic. Northern Utah is home to abundant populations of mule deer, elk, moose, and pronghorn. Most big game animals in this area are migratory, moving up to 30 miles between summer and winter ranges. Summer range habitat for big game species is abundant. However, deep snow makes winter habitat scarce, and the quality and availability of winter range habitat is a major limiting factor for big game species in northern Utah. The I-80/I-84 interchange creates problems for big game animals, because it is centered within critical winter range. Animals descend from many different high-elevation summer ranges to spend the winter in this location. Some migrating animals attempt to cross the interchange to access winter habitat on the other side, while others cross multiple times to access different portions of the range throughout the winter. These movement patterns have created chronically high numbers of wildlife-vehicle collisions for at least 14 years, with most reported vehicle collisions involving mule deer. This area has been a focus for mule deer movement research since 2018. Recent movement data indicates the interchange is becoming a significant barrier for mule deer migrations and movements. Over 160 animals have been monitored and few have successfully crossed the interchange. Habitat connectivity appears to be mostly broken, as the interchange divides one continuous winter range into three smaller winter ranges. Project planning has occurred over several years due to the complexity of the topography and transportation infrastructure in the area. Specifically, in a relatively small area are merging interstates, associated flyover lanes, frontage roads, active railroad lines, confluence of natural waterways, a reservoir, and many rangeland and right-of-way fences. The complexity of these many factors affect wildlife movements and survival.

1. Reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions at the I-80/I-84 interchange by installing exclusionary fencing that will prevent animals from accessing the right-of-way. 2. Reconnect wildlife migration corridors and winter habitat by using exclusionary fencing to guide animals to existing structures that facilitate safe movements. 3. Reduce wildlife mortality associated with right-of-way fencing that entangles wildlife by removing existing fencing.

Northern Utah is home to abundant populations of mule deer, elk, moose, and pronghorn. Most big game animals in this area are migratory, moving up to 30 miles between summer and winter ranges. Summer range habitat for big game species is abundant, however deep snow makes winter habitat scarce. Quality and availability of winter range habitat is a major limiting factor for big game species in northern Utah. Interstates 80 and 84 are national transportation corridors and have high traffic volumes (11,000-17,000 vehicles/day) and high percentage (~40%) of large truck traffic. Interstate 80 and 84 at and near the Echo Junction area is within crucial winter habitat. If this project is not completed, the migration area will continue to be a problem for deer and motorists resulting in wildlife and potential human mortality from several factors including, wildlife starvation, fawn abandonment, and vehicle collisions from wildlife getting trapped on the highway or injured from crossing double cattleguards. The remaining area between wildlife fencing projects will continue to be hotspots for wildlife vehicle collision. As wildlife are killed on highways, the larger proportion of females are lost in the population, which can have compounding affects on a deer population.

Several planning documents and management plans either specifically mention the Echo Junction area, or discuss the need for wildlife infrastructure needed along highways to reduce wildlife mortality. 1) Secretarial Order 3362: Utah State Plan As identified in the Chalk Creek/Kamas section of the Utah State Plan, "wildlife crossings and fencing are needed on I-84 and I-80 to improve the permeability of roads in this area." 2) Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative (https://wildlifemigration.utah.gov/) The mission of the Wildlife Migration Initiative is "to document, preserve and enhance wildlife movement for species throughout Utah using state-of-the-art tracking and data management technologies, strong collaborative partnerships and compelling outreach." An example of the type of partnerships envisioned by the Initiative includes working with UDOT on wildlife crossing infrastructure. 3) Echo Junction: Wildlife Vehicle Collision Update 2020; Executive Summary and Mapbook UDOT and DWR collaborated in this effort to update the 2011 study of the Echo Junction area, and to identify specific solutions to address the high number of mule deer, pronghorn, elk and moose WVCs (wildlife-vehicle collisions) in the area. The proposed project would partially fund Phase 1 of the study recommendations. According to the Executive Summary, "UDOT determined the best initial preventative measure to reduce WVCs is to replace existing right-of-way fencing with standard wildlife exclusion fencing." 4) Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan This plan outlines the goals, objectives, and strategies for managing mule deer populations and their habitats in Utah. The proposed project supports recommendations from this plan. a. The primary Habitat Goal from the plan is to: "conserve, improve, and restore mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges." b. One of the strategies in the plan includes: "to address deer/vehicle collisions, DWR and our partners have worked to identify deer migration routes and locations where deer are commonly hit on roadways. This information has allowed us to know where to place underpasses and fences to increase deer survival. These studies have also provided data on the types of underpass structures these animals will use. Although costly, these efforts are helping to prevent future collisions, increase public safety, and minimize deer mortalities." c. The plan identifies one of the Travel Management and Development strategies to: "work with county, state, and federal agencies to limit the negative effects of roads by reclaiming unused roads, properly planning new roads, and installing fencing and highway passage structures where roads disrupt normal mule deer migration patterns." 5) Deer Herd Unit Management Plans-2017 (Morgan-South Rich; East Canyon). Both of these deer management units include areas surrounding the I-80/I-84 Interchange. The plans identify that DWR should "cooperate with the Utah Dept. of Transportation in construction of highway fences, passage structures and warning signs" to reduce highway mortality. 6) Deer Herd Unit Management Plan-2017 (Chalk Creek) This deer management unit includes the area east of the I-80/I-84 Interchange. According to the Highway Mortality section of this plan: DWR has been working closely with the Utah Department of Transportation to prevent WVC's in this unit. Several areas have been previously identified as having high WVC's: ....the I-80 area around the Echo Junction...... This agency cooperation has resulted in the installation of 8' wildlife exclusion fences, the construction of wildlife escape ramps (along I-80), and the inclusion of wildlife paths under the I-80 Weber River bridge. In addition, a consultant firm completed a wildlife mortality study for UDOT for I-80 from Salt Lake City to Echo Junction. This study identified additional fencing, escape ramp, and wildlife passage needs throughout the I-80 corridor. 7) I-80 and I-84 Corridor Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reduction Study, May 2011 This report was prepared for UDOT to address wildlife-vehicle collisions along I-80 and I-84 from Salt Lake County to Summit County. Five collision "hotspots" were identified, including the proposed project area. Possible mitigation recommendations were also suggested including placement of exclusion fencing, escape ramp installation, and modification of existing underpasses to facilitate big game uses, some of which have already been completed. The proposed project would address one of the identified solutions.

This project will have no effects reducing fire risk or fuels loading.

This project will have no effects on water quality or quantity.

The Utah Department of Transportation is the lead agency and will completed needed cultural surveys as well as environmental review and permitting.

The project purpose is to install wildlife exclusion fencing at the I-80/I-84 interchange. Fencing will be keyed into three existing bridge abutments and underpasses that are known to be used by wildlife. One underpass, spanning the Weber River on the southside of the interchange, the other two underpasses located to the north and west will be used as anchor points for fencing. The proposal also includes the removal of the existing right-of-way fence, and the installation of 5-6 wildlife escape ramps. Phase 1 includes UDOT installation of approximately 1.34 miles (7,075') of exclusionary fencing (~8ft high) on all sides of the I-80/1-84 interchange. Exclusionary fencing will extend from the center of the interchange in three directions along the edge of the interstates keying into existing bridge abutments. Fencing will guide animals to existing underpass structures allowing for safe passage under interstates. The project also proposes installation of cameras at all three existing underpass locations to monitor wildlife use and project effectiveness. Cameras will be installed Fall 2021, to evaluate current wildlife use before project implementation. Following project completion, cameras will continue to be used to monitor wildlife use for one year.

The metrics that will be used to track project success are miles of fencing removed, miles of fencing installed, total number of big game roadkill reported/removed, and big game passage success. Fence tracking metrics will be calculated by mapping removed fencing and newly installed fencing, and reporting the length in miles. Roadkill metric will report the total number of roadkill pre and post exclusion fence installation. Roadkill data have been collected by UDOT contractors for over a decade in the project area. Contractors drive roads twice a week and report big game carcasses using an application called the WVC Reporter. The application allows contractors to report species recovered and exact location of the carcass. Roadkill tracking metric should provide an accurate evaluation of the effectiveness of the project, but the result may be confounded if big game populations increase/decrease substantially between years. Population models will be used to help account variation in big game species abundance in the project area. Big game passage success metric will be quantified by counting the number of animals using crossing structures. To quantify use, camera traps will be placed at underpasses and bridges in the project area to monitor wildlife movements pre and post fence installation. Exclusionary fencing should funnel more animals to crossing structures increasing the number of big game animals using crossing structures. Metric should provide an accurate measure of success, but may be confounded if big game populations increase/decrease substantially between years. Population models will be used to help account variation in big game abundance in the project area.

UDOT and DWR have been working closely for several years with the Summit County Transportation, Summit County Planning offices, Echo State Park Management, Utah State Parks--who oversees nearby Echo State Park--and the local trails group.

There are five future phases to complete this project. Due the expense of fencing this project will need to be phases. Starting the "junction" creates an anchor point to work from. This project will continue to be monitored and future phases will help to further reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in this area. Elk and mule deer populations will continue to be monitored in the area.

This project will reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in the area reducing wildlife mortality, particularly on females and fawns in the population. Recruitment in the area has been pretty low in the past few years as a result of a combination of heavy snow packs and intense summer drought. Wildlife mortality on the highway, or deer not having the ability to migrate due to a lack of available crossing areas is additive to population decline.

08/01/2024

09/07/2024

2025

Using the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) funds, UDOT completed one mile of wildlife exclusionary fencing and built three wildlife escape ramps. Project planning and implementation also included matching funds from UDOT and the Sportsman stakeholder groups. This project includes ~ three miles of wildlife exclusion fencing and new wildlife escape ramps around Echo Junction. Dual cattle guards were installed in mid-October on exit ramps to keep wildlife from entering the interstate corridor on the exit ramps. Data collection is ongoing throughout the winter of 2024-2025 and beyond, since Phase 1 is still under construction. The DWR will continue to monitor the five wildlife cameras installed at Echo Junction, to evaluate wildlife movement. The DWR anticipates an increase in passage success to crucial winter range through funneling wildlife to safe, existing underpasses through the newly established wildlife exclusion fencing. Additionally, the DWR will monitor these metrics through wildlife collar data through Utah's Wildlife Tracker and also the roadkill pick up data in the Roadkill Reporter Application. *Note the project end date is recorded at 9/7/24 as that is the end date for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's funding, but the project continues and is anticipated to be fully finished by the end of November 2024.

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) completed the engineering and installation of 5,408 ft of wildlife friendly fencing (one-third of the total amount of wildlife exclusion fencing to be installed) and three wildlife escape ramps around the Echo Junction (I-84 and I-80) project area, by NFWF's September 7th deadline. The other two miles of wildlife exclusion fencing and wildlife escape ramps are in progress, using other funds UDOT and other stakeholders allocated to the project. The installation of wildlife exclusion fencing directs wildlife movements towards existing highway underpasses and the Weber River Bridge, for safer crossing. The project is facilitating safer travel for motorists along the interstate corridor, restoring connection to big game migration corridors, reconnecting critical winter ranges, and reducing wildlife vehicle collisions. The three mile project, known as Phase 1, was completed by the end of November 2024. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and UDOT anticipate a measurable reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions in this area, identified in future roadkill pick up reports by UDOT contractors, using the Utah Roadkill Reporter App. Links to media coverage: https://www.ksl.com/article/51134855/udot-installs-fencing-at-i-80i-84-junction-to-prevent-car-wildlife-crashes-with-more-in-the-works https://udot.utah.gov/connect/2024/09/19/udot-constructing-new-wildlife-fencing-in-summit-county/ https://www.parkrecord.com/2024/09/19/udot-building-almost-3-miles-of-wildlife-fencing-north-of-echo-reservoir/ Winter 2022-2023: https://ksltv.com/522476/udot-reduces-speed-limits-around-echo-junction-amid-elk-collisions/

Anticipated key lessons learned from Phase 1: Wildlife-vehicle collisions will decrease during winter 2024-2025, by as much as 90%, pending forthcoming data. Wildlife movement across historic migration corridors and crucial winter range will improve through winter 2024-2025 and beyond, pending forthcoming data. It is important to consider the Echo Junction project's multiple phases as part of understanding the "big picture" approach of a comprehensive wildlife-highway mitigation project entailed in several phases. The DWR and UDOT are hopeful that the implementation of Phase 1 helps propel the Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program (WCPP) grant application towards full funding of a landscape scale project in 2026, including a much needed wildlife overpass on I-80. The current and future implications of the Echo Junction projects are beyond transformational.