SCR 124: Wildlife Crossings and Landscape Connectivity (2026)

Summary: Establishes state policy to recognize and support the development and implementation of wildlife crossings, improving public safety and protecting big game migration corridors through coordination with stakeholders at the intersection of transportation infrastructure and wildlife connectivity.

ICL’s Position: Support

Current Bill Status: Filed for 3rd Reading

Issue Areas: Wildlife, Public Lands, Transportation

Bill Sponsors: Sen. Treg Bernt (R-District 21), Rep. James Petzke (R-District 21)

This is a revised version of House Concurrent Resolution 026, introduced in the Senate by Sen Treg Bernt (R-District 21). It codifies the need for Idaho’s Legislature, Congressional delegation, Governor’s Office, and state agencies to recognize and support the development and implementation of wildlife crossings to improve public safety and the conservation of big game migration corridors.

It omits stronger language in HCR026 that would have intended for the Legislature to “encourage state and local governments to engage with communities and stakeholders” and identify priority locations for crossings to achieve goals of the Resolution.

Nevertheless, the Resolution would be an important, if not ceremonial step toward elevating the issues of habitat fragmentation and wildlife-vehicle collisions and could be used as a tool to further engage state agencies, the public, and decision-makers around these challenges. Idaho remains one of only two western states without statutes or executive actions recognizing the importance of wildlife migration corridors or habitat connectivity, making this Resolution especially meaningful.