Let’s build more wildlife crossing sites in Maine | Letter

With longer days and warmer temperatures comes the inevitability of summer tourists and influx of tires on the road. More cars speeding along our highways increases the unfortunate likelihood of a car hitting an animal significantly. In Maine alone, 5,000 large animals are hit by cars every year. From salamanders to deer, any collision between an animal and a car is bound to leave the driver rattled and the animal in bad shape.

Thankfully, wildlife crossings, which utilize bridges and tunnels to give animals designated spaces to cross our roadways, offer a solution. These crossings, which have already been implemented heavily in states like Colorado and California, reduce vehicle animal collisions by 80-90%.

Maine’s legislature has the unique opportunity to lead the way in making our home safer for both drivers and deer by supporting the permanent authorization of funding for wildlife crossings at the federal level. The 2021 Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, which granted Maine $9 million for construction of a crossing in Caribou, is set to expire in September without congressional action.

With support from representatives like Chellie Pingree, we could take a step in the right direction, renewing the program, building more wildlife corridors across our state and making the world a little bit safer for humans and animals alike.

Dahlia Stebbins-Sharpless
Portland

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