Efforts continue on wildlife crossing passages near Umatilla, Wallowa County, and between Pendleton and La Grande
By Griffin Beach on Monday, July 6th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
PORTLAND — The Oregon Wildlife Foundation is continuing its efforts to build wildlife crossing passages across several state highways to prevent vehicle collisions with animals.
The foundation has been using proceeds from its “Watch for Wildlife” specialty license plates, alongside donations and government funding, to help construct the crossings.
“Our participation in wildlife passage work began in 2017 with an undercrossing on Highway 97 in Central Oregon,” said Tim Greseth, executive director of the Oregon Wildlife Foundation. “This experience deepened our understanding of the impact that wildlife-vehicle collisions are having on many different species and led us to adopt habitat connectivity as an organizational priority.”
The foundation released updates on several of its current projects:
Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative: This section of U.S. Highway 20 experiences the highest frequency of deer and elk collisions in Oregon. A coalition handling the project has completed a Phase 1 wildlife crossing mitigation study and developed conceptual designs for multiple locations along the corridor.
Following that work, four wildlife overcrossings were identified as the highest priorities for Phase 2 design and engineering. The coalition has raised more than $850,000 in non-federal matching funds in preparation for the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program, which is expected to open for applications in July or August.
Wallowa County Wildlife Crossing Project: The Wallowa County Wildlife Crossing Coalition has completed a Phase 1 study of State Route 82 between Enterprise and Wallowa. The study aims to determine priority crossing locations and develop conceptual designs to reduce collisions and improve habitat connectivity within the high-risk corridor.
Interstate 84 Wildlife Crossing Project: Interstate 84 remains an almost permanent barrier to wildlife movement. The focus of this project is the completion of a wildlife crossing study and conceptual design for the highest-priority locations on I-84 between Pendleton and La Grande. Funding to begin the project has been raised.
Wanaket Wildlife Area Wildlife Crossing Project: In partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, the Oregon Wildlife Foundation is providing funding support and serving as the fiscal sponsor for a wildlife crossing study in the Wanaket Wildlife Area. Located along the Columbia River just east of McNary in northeast Oregon, the wildlife area is bisected by State Route 730, where vehicle strikes are common.
Statewide Assessment of Bridges and Culverts: The foundation has retained a consulting team to evaluate existing bridges and culverts throughout Oregon that may already be used by wildlife or could be modified to provide safe alternatives for animals.
The team is evaluating conditions at culverts and bridges large enough to accommodate deer and elk, documenting evidence of wildlife activity, and recommending cost-effective modifications to increase animal use.
“Building new wildlife overcrossings and undercrossings can be expensive, so we’re enthusiastic for opportunities to provide safe passage for animals through simpler modifications to the areas around existing bridges and culverts wherever and whenever possible,” Greseth said.
