The I-70 Eco-Logical Field Test

The objective of this project is to assist the Center for Native Ecosystems (CNE) with developing a wildlife mortality and habitat connectivity monitoring and evaluation program, and with developing a mitigation plan for the I-70 Corridor in Colorado from Evergreen to Glenwood Springs in portions of the Clear creek, Blue River and Gore Creek Watersheds.

To relieve congestion along the I-70 Corridor, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) initiated a planning process for increasing the capacity of the I-70 corridor. CDOT has been working to reduce congestion while also working with local communities and stakeholders to address their needs and discuss transportation alternatives. One of the environmental issues identified is that the I-70 Corridor presents a major barrier to the movement of wildlife, including mountain lion, moose, coyote, deer, bear, elk, Canada lynx, and wolf. To support this planning process, WTI, CDOT, Center for Native Ecosystems (CNE) (Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project is now merged with CNE), the Colorado Watershed Assembly (CWA), and Colorado State University are developing a Regional Ecosystem Framework (REF) for the I-70 Corridor (CO) from Denver to Glenwood Springs in portions of the Clear Creek, Blue River, and Gore Creek Watersheds. This effort is designed to field test the principles of “Eco-logical,” a collaborative infrastructure planning approach developed by federal agencies including FHWA, EPA, BLM, USFWS, NPS, and others. Eco-logical encourages federal, state, tribal and local partners to integrate plans across agency boundaries, and endorses ecosystem-based mitigation - an innovative method of mitigating infrastructure impacts that cannot be avoided. WTI is responsible for assisting CNE with developing a wildlife mortality and habitat connectivity monitoring and evaluation program, and with developing a mitigation plan for the I-70 Corridor in Colorado from Evergreen to Glenwood Springs in portions of the Clear creek, Blue River and Gore Creek Watersheds. In addition, WTI will provide a web based data base where citizens can enter data on wildlife seen on or alongside the road (dead and alive).