(a) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (b), for any project on the state highway system located in a connectivity area beginning the project initiation phase on or after July 1, 2025, that adds a traffic lane or that has the potential to significantly impair wildlife connectivity for target species in the connectivity area based on criteria developed in collaboration with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the department shall perform an assessment, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, before commencing project design and continuing through the development of the project and into implementation, to identify potential wildlife connectivity barriers and any needs for improved permeability.

(2) As part of the assessment, the department shall consider factors affecting wildlife connectivity that provide scalable solutions for all defined species needs, as determined by the department, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

(3) The assessment may incorporate relevant guidelines and standards in applicable habitat conservation plans approved pursuant to Section 1539 of Title 16 of the United States Code and natural community conservation plans approved pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code.

(4) The department shall submit the assessment to the Department of Fish and Wildlife and, if any structural barrier to wildlife connectivity exists or will be added by the project for target species in the connectivity area based on criteria developed in collaboration with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the implementing agency shall remediate barriers to wildlife connectivity in conjunction with the project. A project subject to this requirement may incorporate relevant assessments, guidelines, and standards in applicable habitat conservation plans approved pursuant to Section 1539 of Title 16 of the United States Code and natural community conservation plans approved pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the California Fish and Game Code.

(5) The department shall publish on its internet website a list of all of the transportation projects that require remediation pursuant to paragraph (4) and information regarding whether wildlife passage features are included in those projects or if mitigation credits are applied to the project pursuant to subdivision (c). The department shall update the project list biennially, at a minimum, and may update the list more often, as needed.

(b) The requirements of subdivision (a) shall apply to the following types of projects only where feasible, practicable, and cost effective, as determined by the department:

(1) Emergency projects.

(2) Safety-focused projects that meet the criteria provided by the State Highway System Management Plan, that would reduce fatal and serious injury collisions on the state highway system, that are included in the highway maintenance program or the State Highway Operation and Protection Program, and that do not add a passing lane, turning lane, or auxiliary lane exceeding one mile in length.

(c) The department may use compensatory mitigation credits approved pursuant to § 1957 of the Fish and Game Code to satisfy the requirements of this section if the Department of Fish and Wildlife concurs with the use of those credits.

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