Developing and Implementing a Comprehensive Wildlife Monitoring Program for the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is currently constructing Phase 1 of a project that will ultimately improve a 15-mile stretch of Interstate 90 east of Snoqualmie Pass. The I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East (I-90 Project) is unique in that it addresses traditional transportation issues and also invests heavily in improving ecological connectivity. The ecological investments of the project include retrofitting existing structures to provide or improve connectivity, installing new wildlife crossing structures and wildlife fencing, improving hydrologic connections, and enhancing stream and lakeshore habitat. In order to determine how these investments in ecological connectivity perform over time, and to incorporate lessons learned into future phases of design and construction, a comprehensive wildlife monitoring program is needed. WSDOT, in partnership with several agencies and organizations, developed and is implementing a multi-tiered approach to wildlife monitoring. Implementation of this type of monitoring effort will provide scientifically defensible baseline and post-project data, define the parameters of successful connectivity enhancement, and provide adaptive management to help guide final design as the I-90 Project progresses.