As a lifelong Wallowa County resident and hunter, I’ve experienced firsthand the importance of a functioning, connected landscape — particularly the one here in our backyard. It is vital that our farmland, ranchland and public lands work in conjunction to remain healthy for people and wildlife.

Every year, we see more reports of wildlife-vehicle collisions on the roads that crisscross migratory routes. These crashes aren’t just upsetting; they also place a burden on drivers and wildlife alike. This is why I’m grateful for the newly forming coalition in Wallowa County that’s working to reduce collisions.

House Bill 2978, now before the Oregon Legislature, is poised to make this kind of work both more effective and more efficient. It would guide a coordinated approach between the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife — two agencies that can help our community invest in safety, reduce costs over time and improve one of our most valued resources. I can probably speak for many in Wallowa County in saying we want to protect our friends and family on our roadways while also protecting our valuable wildlife resources.

HB 2978 is a commonsense investment in our public safety and our outdoor heritage. Let’s ensure Wallowa County remains a place where animals can roam and folks can drive without fearing a costly, and largely preventable collision. I encourage my neighbors and state legislators to support HB 2978 and the bills that would fund this work to keep our wild landscapes connected.

Chad Dotson

Joseph