For many of us living by Lake Chelan, it is an everyday sight to watch deer and their fawns make the perilous journey across the road, just to reach the lake to quench their thirst. Heartbreakingly, many of these journeys end in tragedy, with families of deer being injured or killed because they have to cross busy roadways. It's an issue that hits close to home for my family and me.

The mass loss of animal lives on our roads is not just a local problem, it's a national issue. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation estimate that there are between one to two million collisions between vehicles and large animals every year in the U.S., with deer being the most commonly hit animal.

It is high time that we call on our state and local governments to implement measures to protect our wildlife. We are proposing a simple, yet highly effective solution – the mandatory construction of underpasses on state and county roads, especially those near bodies of water. These underpasses have been proven to drastically reduce animal-vehicle collisions in areas where they have been installed, such as the Safe Passage project in Colorado.

The urgency of this action cannot be overstated. We must prioritize the lives of our wildlife and ensure their safe access to water bodies. Please lend your support to this vital cause. Sign this petition and help us advocate for the mandatory construction of underpasses on state and county roads.