Conservation Northwest protects and connects old-growth forests and other wild areas from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies, vital to a healthy future for us, our children, and wildlife. Since 1989, Conservation Northwest has worke
Issue link: http://conservationnw.uberflip.com/i/122778
Conservation prey Predators andNorthwest updates "Center stage grizzly bears," continued from page 15 Less is known about the grizzly bears in the North Cascades, which cross the border from Canada into the US. We need to know more. Dr. Clayton Apps has proposed conducting DNA research on the North Cascades bear population to assess their abundance, distribution, and relationships. The last three years have been hard on southwest BC grizzly bears, including the loss of two adult females, one subadult female, and several cubs. Small populations cannot withstand such losses. We need a broad approach to reducing bear deaths, looking at motorized access, recreation, industrial development, and community conflict reduction. That calls for effective partnerships among stakeholders, First Nations, and governments (local, regional, provincial), which are best coordinated locally, such as the work I am doing from Lillooet. Jen Watkins Conservation associate, jen@conservationnw.org Why did the bear cross the road? Because it could Extending the I-90 upgrade for wildlife In May, Governor Gregoire signed a final transporta- tion bill that extends the I-90 upgrade through the Cascades, including plans for Washington's first-ever wildlife crossing bridge. The move brings safe passage for Cascades wildlife from elk to bear along the corridor between Hyak and Easton. The earliest phase of the project is already improving connectivity for wildlife with an underpass at Gold Creek. Washington's transportation bill directs the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to apply $8 million of the savings from Phase 1 of the I-90 Project to the design of the project's next two miles. Savings from the current contract bidding (Phase 1C) can be used to construct the next phase, which includes a truck chain-up area and the wildlife overpass at the Rock Knob. Design of the next phase starts this summer and should be ready for construction in late 2012. What the Rock Knob bridge will look like. It's exciting to hear clear direction from the legislature supporting the I-90 project. It's great news for wildlife that the bill received such strong bipartisan Adiel Cue from Logan Elementary in support from both Spokane was a top finalist in the Bridging sides of the Cas- Futures VII Contest, which every year taps cades. the creativity of Washington's kids. Conser vation Northwest is part of the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition supporting the ground-breaking project. We are grateful to House Transportation Committee Chair Judy Clibborn (DMercer Island) for her leadership in the House, and to Ranking Minority Member Mike Armstrong (R-Wenatchee), Bill Hinkle (R-Kittitas County) and several westside representatives. In the Senate, Ranking Minority Member Curtis King (R-Yakima) was instrumental in securing this provision, with support from Committee Chair Mary Margaret Haugen (DCamano Island) and Vice Chair Scott White (D-Seattle). Completing the I-90 Project as designed is a high priority for our state, with dramatic benefits to safety, freight movement, recreation, and wildlife connectivity. A unique set of I-90 project supporters worked together during the legislative session, including AAA, Conservation Northwest, Washington Potato Commission, Defenders of Wildlife, Kittitas County, Central Washington University, Sierra Club, and more. WADOT Artwork 16 Spring/Summer 2011www.conservationnw.org