Terrestrial Wildlife Connectivity Barriers - North Central Region (2)

Regional Summary

CDFW staff identified a total of 44 wildlife barrier segments in Region 2, four of which were shared with Region 1. Two of these barriers were identified as being top priority, and nine were identified as priority barriers. Seventeen barriers were added in 2024, including five priority barriers (W178, W179, W183, W184, and W189). One priority segment identified in 2020 (W011) was changed to remediated on the wildlife barrier list because a fenced underpass was constructed by Caltrans near the summit. Top priority and priority barriers in Region 2 ranged in length from 3.6 to 42.8 kilometers (km) (mean = 17.9 km) and collectively represented 214.5 km of the State Highway System.

Two top priority and two priority barriers in Region 2 coincided with SO 3362 priority areas (W001, W002, W012, and W189). As in Region 1, all priority barriers in Region 2 were associated with ungulate and/or carnivore species. Deer were the most common target species, associated with 10 priority segments. Mountain lions were associated with seven segments, black bears with six, elk with five, gray wolves with four, mesocarnivores with three and pronghorn with two. Small mammals were associated with two priority segments, while other species were noted in one segment. Because all priority segments were associated with large mammal species, regional staff indicated that an overpass or underpass, fencing, and jumpouts would be necessary for remediation of each of these barriers.

Contacts