(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department review the full extent of the state highway system, as currently maintained, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and with opportunities for the public to provide data input for consideration, to develop a comprehensive approach to address wildlife connectivity needs throughout the state with the goal of implementing measures that protect, conserve, and improve the state’s unique wildlife, landscapes, and natural resources.

(b) In consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate agencies, the department shall establish an inventory of connectivity needs on the state highway system where the implementation of wildlife passage features could reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions or enhance wildlife connectivity. In establishing the inventory of connectivity needs, the department, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate agencies, shall consider all of the following factors:

(1) The ability of wildlife passage features to enhance connectivity and permeability within a connectivity area or natural landscape area.

(2) The logistics surrounding implementation of wildlife passage features, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) The cost effectiveness of implementing wildlife passage features through associated transportation projects.

(B) The ease or capability of facilitating necessary land acquisitions to provide an ecological buffer.

(C) Public support for associated transportation projects.

(D) The ability of wildlife passage features to facilitate continued functional wildlife movement or improved public safety outcomes into the future.

(3) Whether the implementation of wildlife passage features would do any of the following:

(A) Substantially increase climate-resilient wildlife connectivity.

(B) Substantially decrease the likelihood of collisions between wildlife and vehicles.

(C) Contribute to the survival or recovery of any species or population of a species, including, but not limited to:

(i) Species listed as a threatened species or endangered species pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.).

(ii) Species listed as a candidate species, threatened species, or endangered species pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code).

(iii) Species at risk from highways and habitat fragmentation.

(4) Any other relevant considerations, as determined by the department.

(c) No later than July 1, 2024, the department shall develop and publish, on its internet website, the inventory and a list of funded transportation projects with wildlife passage features that address wildlife connectivity needs. The department shall update the inventory and the project list biennially, at a minimum, and may update the inventory or the list more often, as needed.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 964, Sec. 2. (AB 2344) Effective January 1, 2023.)