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Wildlife Crossings Program

Program Overview

The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP) is a competitive grant program with the goal of reducing Wildlife Vehicle Collisions (WVCs) while improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species.

In creating the WCPP, Congress found that there are more than 1,000,000 WVCs annually which present a danger to human safety and wildlife survival, cost over $8 billion, and result in approximately tens of thousands of serious injuries and hundreds of fatalities on U.S. roadways

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021) authorized $350 million total in Federal-aid contract authority funding for Federal Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 through 2026 to be awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or the Department), through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), for the WCPP. The WCPP is authorized under Section 11123(b) of BIL and codified at 23 U.S.C. 171.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible entities for the WCPP are:

  • State Departments of Transportation; 
  • Metropolitan Planning Organizations;
  • Units of local government;
  • Regional transportation authorities;
  • Special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function;
  • Indian tribes;
  • Federal Land Management Agencies; and
  • A group of any of the above entities.

See 23 U.S.C. 171(c) for more information on eligible applicants.

What types of projects are eligible?

The WCPP provides funding for construction and non-construction projects.

Construction Projects include engineering, design, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, and other activities related to the construction of infrastructure improvements, such as the building of a wildlife crossing overpass or underpass.

Non-Construction projects include planning, research, and educational activities that are not directly related to construction of infrastructure improvements, such as a hot spot analysis of WVCs.   

All projects should seek to protect motorists and wildlife by reducing the number of WVCs and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species.

Project Prioritization

Projects that reduce WVCs and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species will be prioritized.

Grant Application

The call for applications is CLOSED for the FY22-23 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Virtual Listening Session

FHWA will host two virtual listening sessions to capture feedback on the WCPP FY22-23 NOFO and application process. One is a public listening session intended for non-tribal affiliated stakeholders, and the second session is reserved for Tribal members and their representatives.

Public Listening Session: Wednesday September 13; 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET

FHWA invited the public to provide feedback on the FY22-23 NOFO and application process for the WCPP grants. If you would like to provide written feedback at any time, please email wildlifecrossings@dot.gov.

Tribal Listening Session: TBD

FHWA invites Tribes and their representatives to provide feedback on the FY22-23 NOFO and application process for the WCPP grants. This listening session is not yet scheduled, and FHWA will provide more information. If you would like to provide written feedback at any time, please email wildlifecrossings@dot.gov.

Webinars

FHWA hosted 2 webinars to assist applicants with applying to the WCPP FY22-23 NOFO.

Public Webinar: | Slides | Recording |Passcode for Recording:  VKuk4H&K

Tribal Webinar: | Slides Recording | Passcode for Recording: zP91ZgG*

Grant Resources

FHWA staff can provide technical assistance and answer technical questions. FHWA staff cannot draft applications for applicants, or review applications in advance

Other Funding Opportunities

For other safety and conservation related Federal assistance you may refer to other programs including, but not limited to the following:

Updated: Thursday, September 14, 2023