During the past 12 years highway construction has continued at a rapid pace. When the Forest Service was notified that a segment of Highway 50 was to be upgraded to freeway standards, the Forest Supervisor of the Eldorado National Forest appointed an interdisciplinary task force to study the impacts to the 7.1 miles of National forest lands. A significant impact would be made on the deer of the Pacific deer herd unless measures were taken for their protection. The decision was made to recommend undercrossings to allow deer (California mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus californicus) to move freely across the highway during spring and fall migrations. A search was made for information pertaining to necessary specifications for crossing structures. A report by the Colorado Game, Fish and Parks Department was most helpful. Other State and Federal agencies were contacted for additional information. The task force evaluated this information and recommended underpass structures with an opening of about 20? high, 30' wide and the structure not be over 125? long. There is also a need for migration corridors across private lands to insure the future access to the crossing structures.
|
