EVIDENCED-BASED WILDLIFE USE EVALUATION OF THE STATE ROUTE 61/MORONGO PASS AREA AND CONNECTIVITY RECOMMENDATIONS - RIVERSIDE AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES

Brock Ortega; Dudek; bortega@dudek.com; Fraser Shilling, Ph.D., Norris Dodd, MS, Travis Longcore, Ph.D., Anna Cassady, MS, Melanie Davis

Caltrans District 8 and others have been concerned about constrained wildlife movement in the State Route 62/Morongo Pass area which begins in the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, cuts north through the Little San Bernardino Mountains, then east through the Yucca Valley turning east to the Arizona border. Our alignment bisects managed Conservation lands in the Sand to Snow area. Several special-status species and large mammals occur in this area ranging from desert bighorn sheep and mountain lion to desert tortoise. Our study area includes the western portion from the Coachella Valley floor, up the Morongo Grade, through the Morongo Valley and up to the crest of the Yucca Grade. To better understand the movement patterns and risk to local large and focal species, we performed a variety of investigative techniques to understand wildlife use. Wildlife-Vehicle Collision data identified hotspots along the alignment. Camera and wildlife sign data in and out of the transportation corridor revealed wildlife use and avoidance of various structures. Based on the various identified constraints to movement, several recommendations were provided. These included overpasses at two locations, coordination with local agencies, strategic placement of fencing and barriers, and structure modifications to reduce noise and light effects.

Poster Session  InPerson Presentation