Fencing to Increase Use of Highway 21 Wildlife Underpass

It won't be long before upwards of 7,000 deer and 1,000 elk will start their annual winter migration to the Boise foothills and valleys. When they do, many will find their traditional trail has changed slightly, with more than half a mile of fence being built this fall along State Highway 21, northeast of Boise. "This fall deer and elk will find a new section of wildlife exclusion fence directing them away from the highway and towards the wildlife underpass," Fish and Game Wildlife Technician Krista Muller said. Last summer the Idaho Transportation Department constructed a wildlife underpass at milepost 18.2 on Highway 21 along the Lucky Peak Reservoir to help reduce the high number of wildlife-vehicle collisions during the fall and spring migrations of big game species. "We have seen deer, elk and other wildlife using the underpass since it was completed in 2010," Muller said. "But its effectiveness is limited without the exclusion fence on the east side to funnel wildlife to it." The section of fence being built this fall will run 1,430 feet north and 1,355 feet south of the underpass on the east side of the highway. An additional 4,780 feet of fencing is still needed to complete the east-side fencing. "Right now two sections of the fence line we refer to as Phases 2 and 3 are being built," Muller said. "We thought we would only be able to raise enough funds this year to complete one phase of the project, but because of the generosity of several organizations and agencies, we were able to build a greater portion of the fence sooner than expected." Phase 2 and 3 cover a high priority section along the east side of the highway that runs from milepost 17.2 to 19.2, connecting with the fence coming off the underpass. "We're building this part of the fence first because a large number of deer and elk follow the contours of the hillside around the underpass and head toward the reservoir," Muller said. "Guiding these animals to the underpass and under the highway will dramatically decrease wildlife-vehicle collisions on this section of road." The Boise River Wildlife Linkage Partnership, a group of individuals and government agencies, is spearheading the effort to complete the east side fence. In the past year, the group has raised $75,000 through grants and donations from wildlife groups, insurance companies, transportation organizations, individuals and a mix of state and federal entities. Members of the group have also reduced the cost of the fence by volunteering to work on fence-related projects. Two weeks ago volunteers used chainsaws and hand tools to clear brush to create a 6-foot wide and 3,000-foot long path for the fence. "Our mission is to protect people and to protect wildlife," said Ed Bottum, Wildlife Linkage Partnership coordinator. "The best way to do this right now is to get this east side fence built to maximize the potential of the underpass." Boise River Fence, a local fencing company, has a crew digging post holes, pouring cement and lugging fence poles up and down the hills to install the fence. "We hope to have the fencing completed by the end of the week, we have a crew working on putting up the wire mesh as we speak," said Adrian Shaw of Boise River Fence. If all goes well 2,785 feet of 8-foot tall wildlife exclusion fencing will guide hundreds more deer and elk to the underpass this fall where they can cross safely under State Highway 21. "It's a great relief knowing that part of the fence will be done before the fall migration," Muller said. "But we still have more to do. We need to raise an estimated $200,000 to build the remaining 4,780 feet of fence to complete Phase 4. Once we get this accomplished, we can really celebrate." For more information on the Wildlife Linkage Partnership and the wildlife underpass on Highway 21 contact Krista Muller at 208-334-2115 or visit the partnership's website http://idahowildlifecrossings.com.