State highway system: wildlife connectivity.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details about the specific measures Caltrans must take or funding amounts for wildlife connectivity projects.

Wildlife Connectivity for State Highways

The bill requires Caltrans to include wildlife connectivity measures in their highway management plans and inventories.

What This Bill Does

• Requires Caltrans to set targets and performance measures reflecting state transportation goals and objectives for wildlife connectivity assets.
• Adds wildlife connectivity assets to the asset management plan for state highways.
• Explicitly requires Caltrans to review the entire state highway system with input from the public and Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• Changes how Caltrans works with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to create and update an inventory of areas needing wildlife passage features.

Who It Names or Affects

• Caltrans, which manages California's highways
• The Department of Fish and Wildlife

Terms To Know

wildlife connectivity assets

Features like bridges or tunnels that help animals move safely across roads.

asset management plan

A detailed plan for maintaining and improving the state highway system.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much money will be spent on wildlife connectivity projects.
• It is unclear what specific measures Caltrans must take to improve wildlife crossings.

Official Summary Text

SB 1250, as amended, Cortese.
State highway system: wildlife connectivity.
Existing law vests the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) with full possession and control of the state highway system and requires Caltrans to improve and maintain the state highways. Existing law requires Caltrans, in consultation with the California Transportation Commission, to prepare a robust asset management plan to guide selection of projects for the state highway operation and protection program. Existing law requires the commission, in connection with the plan, to adopt targets and performance measures reflecting state transportation goals and objectives.
This bill would require the targets and performance measures adopted by the commission to include targets and performance measures reflecting state transportation goals and objectives for wildlife connectivity assets that reflect the need for new assets and conditions of
existing assets that improve or maintain the connectivity of wildlife
crossings.
crossings on the state highway system.
The bill would require Caltrans to include wildlife connectivity assets in the asset management plan.
Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature that Caltrans review the full extent of the state highway system, as currently maintained, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and with opportunities for the public to provide data input for consideration, to develop a comprehensive approach to address wildlife connectivity needs throughout the state with the goal of implementing measures that protect, conserve, and improve the state’s unique wildlife, landscapes, and natural resources.
This bill
would explicitly require Caltrans to undertake this duty.
Existing law requires Caltrans, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate agencies, to establish an inventory of connectivity needs on the state highway system where the implementation of wildlife passage features could reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions or enhance wildlife connectivity, and to update the inventory on a biennial basis, as specified.
This bill would instead require Caltrans to jointly establish and update this inventory with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF