This GIS data depicts the draft top 15 statewide Habitat Connectivity Priority Zones. This data layer is intended to aid the review process by partners and will be used in conjunction with the Top 15 Habitat Connectivity Priority Zones Quick Reference Guide provided via email. As the HCPZ are under development, the locations and associated attributes of this data are subject to change.
<p>The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is
developing statewide Habitat Connectivity Priority Zones (HCPZ) to help direct
limited resources, including grant funding, to the highway segments most
in-need of wildlife crossing structures to increase habitat connectivity and/or
reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. In 2022, WSDOT was directed to report to
the transportation committees of the legislature with corridors that could
benefit from wildlife crossing improvements and are likely competitive projects
for federal funding consideration. The HCPZ are partially in response to that
directive and built around WSDOT’s two-pronged approach to addressing wildlife
connectivity with the primary goals of 1) increasing the ability of animals to
safely navigate the highway system by eliminating or reducing barriers to
movement, and 2) reducing the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions. A variety
of information was utilized to identify the Zones, including wildlife corridor
locations, threatened and endangered species ranges, landscape naturalness,
traffic volume, protected land status, wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots,
partnership opportunities, and more. A review process incorporating feedback
from partners will be initiated in June 2023. Once finalized, the Zones will be
used to communicate habitat connectivity priorities and coordinate solutions
with partners. Once finalized, this data will no longer be available after October 1st 2023.</p>
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