COLUSA COUNTY, CA (MPG) – Other than a letter addressed “to whom it may concern,” the State of California has done little to communicate effectively with the Colusa County Board of Supervisors about the county’s concerns with a proposed bridge to be built over Highway 20 in western Colusa County so Tule Elk can mingle with neighboring herds.
The Wildlife Conservation Board was awarded funding for the $9 million project from Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act, which was approved by voters in 2018.
Since August, the board has tried to inform the state, particularity the California Department of Transportation, that the property, located about 10.5 miles west of Williams, is encumbered by a Williamson Act contract, which, by law, requires the state to avoid, whenever applicable, acquisition of land in agricultural preserves.
The California Wildlife Conservation Board, in conjunction with Caltrans, plans to build the 100 ft. wide wildlife overcrossing so elk can co-mingle with other herds to prevent inbreeding and the potential deformities that it can cause.
The Board of Supervisors, in August, sent a letter to the state that Caltrans had not followed procedural requirements for a public agency to acquire the land. The board also asked the state to find a more purposeful use of the money.
Colusa County Community Development Director Greg Plucker, at the board’s March 12 meeting, said he had reminded Caltrans in November of their failure to comply with the procedural mandates.
“There was a lot of hemming and hawing at that time, but I was promised they would follow up with this issue and try to get back to me,” Plucker said.
Plucker said that in February, the Colusa County Planning Commission received a “to whom it may concern” letter, via email, notifying them that the 1.25 acres they have acquired for the overcrossing structure would not be converted to any other use and thereby would remain in agriculture and protected under a wildlife conservation easement.
Plucker said the letter still does not comply with the mandated requirements, nor has the state provided any documentation that the state’s own policies were considered during the site selection process.
On March 12, the board authorized Chair Gary Evans to issue a response letter, with copies sent to Assembly member Ceclia Aguiar-Curry and Senator Brian Dahle.
“It is apparent that this project is favored by the Wildlife Conservation Board and Caltrans regardless of any concern the Colusa County Board of Supervisors have with respect to the impact the concentration of conservation easements in the area have on the County’s agriculture industry, the County’s Williamson Act program, or our General Plan requirements that specifically state this concentration should not occur on agriculturally designated lands,” the letter states. “The acquisition of land for the wildlife crossing will future compound these conflicts.”
Evans said he was uncertain where “calling them out” would get the county but he was all for asking the state to provide documentation they complied with state law.
According to the state, the development of Highway 20 in 1954 divided the Tule Elk in the Bear Valley range.
Wildlife officials, at a 2023 public meeting in Williams, said the fragmentation and habitat loss, after Highway 20 was paved, isolated the herds and limited the gene pool to where slight antler deformities from inbreeding are starting to appear.
The project proposes to increase Tule Elk sub-herds’ access to over 100,000 acres (170 square miles) of inland coastal habitat and connectivity to the greater Bear Valley and Antelope valley range, which could strengthen the herd for the future, where climate change, drought, and potential wildfire could threaten their long-term survivability, according to the state.
State officials said they did not know if elk would use the bridge, which will be covered in native vegetation to make them appear like a natural part of the landscape, but if used in conjunction with a small amount of highway fencing placed strategically on one or both sides of the overpass and the use of salt licks, they may be able to entice them.
County officials said fences are what keep cattle belonging to one ranching operation from co-mingling with another’s, but do not hamper elk, which can easily jump them – nor do they direct an elk’s movement.
Evans said the project was not necessary for the elk to co-mingle with other herds.
“They already do,” he said.