Every day, my heart sinks as I drive along Highway 14 near Camas and Washougal, witnessing the tragic remnants of wildlife that attempted to cross from the lush hills to the Columbia River. The deer and other animals that frequent this area are often unaware of the peril this highway poses. Unfortunately, this scenic stretch has turned into one of the most dangerous corridors for wildlife in Washington, with our state’s own studies marking the region as the worst carcass hot spot in the corridor.

For years, residents and commuters have experienced the heartbreaking consequences of these frequent collisions. But it’s not just the animals that suffer; humans bear this burden too. Vehicle-wildlife collisions lead not only to the tragic loss of animal life but also cause wrecked vehicles, injure drivers and passengers, and result in insurance costs and state expenses amounting to tens of millions of dollars annually. The financial and emotional toll on families and our community is overwhelming.

There is a mental health cost to this that nobody measures. Seeing dead animals on your own road day after day wears people down. Morale drops and depression creeps up on you, and its a bleak way to start every workday and a bleak way to come home everyday. Our children see it from the back seat too, and they are learning what this community is willing to tolerate when it comes to our wildlife and animal's. 

However, there is a practical and proven solution—building wildlife crossings—an action that will save lives on both sides of the highway. Wildlife crossings are effective structures that allow animals to cross highways safely, and have been successfully implemented in other parts of the United States and around the world. These crossings not only reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 90% but also ensure safer roads for drivers, reducing the risk of damage and injury.

The cost of constructing a wildlife overpass or underpass, especially in a high-incidence area like Camas and Washougal, is a worthwhile investment that delivers long-term safety benefits. By funding and building a wildlife crossing, the Washington State Department of Transportation would dramatically alleviate the threat to both wildlife and motorists. This would also be a positive step toward preserving our state’s natural heritage and ecological balance.

I urge the Washington State Department of Transportation to prioritize this urgent measure. It is time we act, not only to protect our wildlife but to safeguard our community and economy from further harm. Please join me in asking our state officials to fund and build wildlife crossings on Highway 14. Your signature can help us make this vision a reality and protect lives. Together, we can transform this dangerous stretch into a landmark of safety and coexistence. Sign this petition and voice your support for a safer, more sustainable future for all life in Washington.

The facts: A study of this corridor found the highest concentrations of large animal carcasses on Highway 14 between mileposts 10 and 14, and 29 and 37, with black tailed deer hit most often. WSDOT estimates that vehicles on Washington roads hit at least 5,000 deer and 2,000 elk every year, and those collisions cost drivers more than 75 million dollars annually. Where crossings have been built in Washington, including on I 90 at Snoqualmie Pass, wildlife collisions have dropped by up to 97 percent, and carcass counts fell to nearly zero. The federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program has about 80 million dollars available for projects like this, and applications close November 16, 2026.