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  5. US 101 Gaviota Pass Wildlife Connectivity Study

US 101 Gaviota Pass Wildlife Connectivity Study

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Study Description

The study analyzed the spatial and temporal patterns of wildlife movements and roadkill occurrences along U.S. 101 through the Study Area using systematic camera monitoring and roadkill surveys, along with assessments of existing infrastructure and surrounding land use. The final report, the Gaviota Pass Highway 101 Wildlife Connectivity Assessment (WCA), was prepared by ICF Jones and Stokes, Inc. with the purpose of gaining a better understanding of wildlife movement conditions within the Study Area and identifying opportunities to improve wildlife connectivity and reduce wildlife vehicle collisions. The WCA study focused on medium and large mammals, or Target Species, including American badger, American black bear, bobcat, coyote, feral pig, gray fox, mountain lion, mule deer, opossum, raccoon, red fox, ringtail, striped skunk, and western spotted skunk.

The WCA report is available by emailing Caltrans District 5 Senior Environmental Scientist, Larissa Clarke, at Larissa.clarke@dot.ca.gov

 

project vicinity map 

 

Study Benefits

The purpose of the project is to provide a robust wildlife habitat connectivity assessment within the Gaviota Pass corridor. The project also generated recommendations for opportunities to enhance safe wildlife passage in the corridor and reduce the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions.

 

Estimated Funding Breakdown

Funding Source Funding Amount
Local Not Applicable
State $327,095
Federal Not Applicable
Construction Cost $327,095

 

Stakeholders

  • California Coastal Commission
  • California State Parks
  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • California Highway Patrol
  • Santa Barbara County
  • Santa Barbara County Association of Governments
  • Vista Del Mar Union School District
  • Coastal Band of Chumash Nation
  • Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
  • University of California- Santa Barbara
  • The Nature Conservancy’s Dangermond Preserve
  • Wildlife Conservation Network
  • The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County’s Rancho Las Cruces
  • Gaviota Coast Conservancy
  • Coastal Ranches Conservancy
  • Los Padres Forest Watch
  • Adjoining private property owners
  • Legacy Works Group
  • Santa Barbara Biodiversity Group
  • California State Coastal Conservancy

 

Upcoming Schedule

Process Date

Implementation Strategy Kickoff Meeting

 Early 2024
Stakeholder Meetings  Quarterly 2025

 

Contacts

Larissa Clarke, Senior Environmental Scientist, Specialist
Phone: (805) 458-9566
Email: larissa.clarke@dot.ca.gov

District 5 Public Information Office
Phone: (805) 549-3237
Email:  info-d5@dot.ca.gov

 

Documents

Accessibility Assistance: Caltrans makes every attempt to ensure our documents are accessible. Due to variances between assistive technologies, there may be portions of this document which are not accessible. Where documents cannot be made accessible, we are committed to providing alternative access to the content. Should you need additional assistance, please contact us at (916) 654-2852 or visit https://dot.ca.gov/request-ada-compliant-documents.

Title VI Information

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and Federal Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).

Caltrans will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether they are federally funded or not, and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. In addition, Caltrans will facilitate meaningful participation in the transportation planning process in a nondiscriminatory manner.