Exploration of opportunities to address the impacts of roads and traffic on wildlife in and around Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia

Abstract

This report explores the opportunities for wildlife mitigation in and around two national park units in West Virginia; Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The wildlife mitigation measures that will be explored are aimed at: 1. Reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions with large mammals (i.e. coyote and larger), and thereby also improving human safety; 2. Reducing direct road mortality for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN); and 3. Reducing the barrier effect of roads and traffic and increasing habitat connectivity across major highways for large mammals (i.e. coyote and larger) and for SGCN species. In addition, this report specifically explores - based on a literature review - the potential to combine wildlife crossing structures with non-motorized human co-use (i.e. multi-functional crossing structures). This effort focuses on select trails for non-motorized use (hiking, bicycling, and equestrian trails).