On June 12, the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) passed a policy resolution supporting cooperative efforts on wildlife migration corridors and habitat. The organization passed the resolution, which acknowledges the increased collaboration on the issue since the signing of DOI Secretarial Order 3362 in early 2018, during their annual meeting in Vail, Colorado. The resolution outlines the state authority to manage wildlife within their borders, however the statement acknowledges that wildlife habitat often falls on a patchwork of ownership requiring collaborative solutions. It outlines that land and resource development can have significant impact on habitat and discusses how wildlife vehicle collisions in high migration areas are killing millions of animals annually. The resolution outlines six specific policy recommendations including encouraging collaboration to identify important migration areas, supporting voluntary conservation efforts with private landowners, working with federal and state transportation agencies on projects to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, and more.

WGA stated, “Migration corridors and habitat play a crucial role in maintaining the health and vitality of fish and wildlife species in the West. Western Governors call on federal agencies to support locally-developed initiatives to conserve fish and wildlife migration corridors and habitat; substantively consult with Governors and state agencies on land management for migration corridors or habitat; and consider additional means of funding state-led corridor conservation efforts.”