UPDATE (10-13-2020): The Washington chapter contributed an additional $2,000 in early 2020, making the chapter's total contributions towards migratory corridor work in Washington $5,000 in 2019-2020.
The Washington chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers send a letter to state Senators, asking for their support for the Safe Passage 97 project; a very important and exciting public safety and wildlife project in Okanogan County.
Okanogan County is home to Washington’s largest migratory mule deer population. These deer have long been valued by hunters from across the west who flock to the area each fall to hunt bringing revenue to local communities. Clearly, Okanogan mule deer are an important resource both to hunters and the local economy.
READ THE WASHINGTON CHAPTERS' LETTER OF SUPPORT
Okanogan H97 Wildlife Crossing after mock-up, by Jones and Jones Architects.
Unfortunately, each year more than 350 deer are hit and killed by vehicles in the Okanogan on a stretch of Highway 97 between Riverside and Tonasket where deer crossings are particularly concentrated. Not only do these collisions negatively impact the mule deer population, they present a significant public safety concern. The Safe Passage 97 project will install wildlife undercrossings on this dangerous stretch of highway that will reduce vehicle collisions with deer by as much as 50 percent and save Washingtonians $2.5 million per year.
The Safe Passage 97 project has wide local support from both citizens and local leaders including the Okanogan County Commissioners, the Colville Confederated Tribes, the City of Omak, Conservation Northwest, the Okanogan chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation, Central Washington Latino Community Fund, Okanogan Tourism Council, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, trucking and freight associations, and more. $200,000 have already been raised by private donors to pay for the first crossing, but more money is needed to complete the project.