PO Box 201001 Helena, MT 59620-1001 Montana Department of Transportation

Memorandum

To:	Distribution

Prepared By:	,

Date:

Subject:	MDT Wildlife Accommodation Recommendation Memo (WARM) [ProjectNumber] [Project Name] UPN [UPN] Work Type Work Type

Approved:	_______________________________ Date: ______________________ Tom Martin, P.E. Environmental Services Bureau Chief

This memo reflects the project-specific wildlife accommodations that are being recommended by Environmental Services for further consideration by the Design Team. During preparation of the Biological Resources Report/ Preliminary Biological Assessment (BRR/PBA) for this project, an initial wildlife needs analysis identified various wildlife needs and presented general recommendations for consideration.

Proposed Scope of Work

[Provide a brief description of the proposed scope of work from the most recent approved milestone document.]

Project Location and Limits

[Provide a description of the project location from the most recent approved milestone document.]

Wildlife Needs Analysis Summary

[Summarize the wildlife needs analysis and general recommendations initially put forth in the BRR/PBA for the project BRR/PBA. Mention if a recommended wildlife accommodation is intended to benefit a federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act or special status species under other federal, Tribal, or state requirements.]

Wildlife Needs Verification and Supporting Documentation

[Provide a discussion of additional work that was done following the BRR/PBA to verify animal movements, carcass, collision, land-use, and other relevant data to ensure accuracy and applicability. Discuss coordination with Resource and/or Tribal Agency wildlife personnel as necessary. Document any changes from data or analysis previously reported in the BRR/PBA.]

Wildlife Accommodation Recommendations

[Enumerate wildlife accommodation recommendations by project location. Location can be identified by reference post range, station range, intersecting roadways, or geographic features, etc. Include a map and other attachments as appropriate.]

Discuss the accommodation type(s) and focal species. Include rationale for the location and type (safety and/or connectivity data, agency coordination, public input, literature review, environmental commitments, logistics, opportunity, etc.). Discuss expected benefits of the wildlife accommodation to public safety and/or wildlife connectivity.

Discuss current adjacent land use and any documented future land use changes (platted for subdivision, etc.). Document any previous landowner and/or land management agency coordination or if additional coordination is needed, existing or potential easements or protections, etc.

Provide a cost estimate for the wildlife accommodation including capital investment, operation and maintenance. Coordination with the Design Team is encouraged at this stage to estimate wildlife accommodation costs. A range of costs may be appropriate if an accommodation can be constructed using different materials or methods. Identify operation and maintenance needs and anticipated schedule for the accommodation.

Identify apparent potentially affected design elements for further feasibility analysis with the Design Team (grade, right-of-way, structure sizes, natural or cultural resources, geotechnical or hydraulic considerations, constructability, utilities, etc.).

Discuss the need for further coordination with Resource and/or Tribal agencies, or manufacturers/vendors of wildlife accommodation technology. Identify if additional research is needed prior to issuance of the Wildlife Accommodation Decision Report (WADR).

Attachments

Distribution:

Choose District Administrator. District Administrator
Stephanie Brandenberger, Bridge Bureau Chief
James A. Combs, Highways Engineer
Gabe Priebe, Traffic and Safety Engineer
Robert Stapley, Right-of-Way Bureau Chief
Jake Goettle, Construction Engineer
Lynn Zanto, Rail, Transit, & Planning Division Administrator
Jeff Jackson, Geotech & Pavement Bureau Chief
Jon Swartz, Maintenance Division Administrator
[EPSProjectManager] EPS Project Manager , District Preconstruction Engineer , District Projects Engineer , District Construction Engineer , District Construction Operations Engineer , Maintenance Chief , District Hydraulics Engineer , District Bridge Engineer , District Geotech Engineer , District Project Development Engineer

Link to MDT’s Wildlife Accommodations Process Research Study Final Report and Desk Guide:

https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/env/wap.shtml