Environmental organizations will push for funding to enhance roadway safety
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with Assemblyman Simpson’s support of the bill. A previous version stated he voted against it.
By Mike Lynch
Gov. Kathy Hochul took the wrong action in vetoing a bill last week that would have made wildlife crossings on roads safer for motorists and animals, Adirondack environmentalists assert.
The Adirondack Explorer thanks its advertising partners. Become one of them.
Hochul “missed an important opportunity to sign into law a broadly popular plan that would have been a win-win solution to protect the public and wildlife across New York State,” said Peter Bauer, Executive Director of Protect the Adirondacks. She seemed to disregard the state’s eligibility for federal funds to pay for building crossings, Bauer said.
The bill was opposed by Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, and supported by Assembly members Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay and Matthew Simpson, R-Lake George, who was a co-sponsor in the Assembly’s version of the bill. Under the bill, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and New York Thruway Authority would be tasked with assessing highways and parkways “for potential wildlife crossings to improve wildlife habitat connectivity, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and increase public safety for New York motorists.”
The agencies would then be required to create a priority list of 10 crossing site projects within two years. That list would be pared down to five projects that the study would use for pursuing federal grants.
The bill was among 29 that Hochul said would establish various commissions and task forces. She said she had a strong interest in addressing the issues in the bills but the enactment of them would have cost the state about $24 million.
The Adirondack Explorer thanks its advertising partners. Become one of them.
“Without appropriate funding, these unbudgeted costs would create significant staffing and other programmatic burdens on State agencies,” she said. “Additionally, because of the ongoing work of State agencies and authorities, a number of the proposals would result in duplication and unnecessary bureaucracy.”
Hochul also said state agencies would be directed to pursue the goals of the bills, when possible, and to look for funding in the state budget process.
Part of the intention of the bill was to take advantage of millions of dollars in federal funding currently available for road infrastructure related to wildlife crossings.
The Adirondack Council also criticized the veto. It stated that “there are more than 5,000 miles of public highways in the Adirondack Park, some of which pass through the state’s wildest and most remote landscapes.”
The Adirondack Explorer thanks its advertising partners. Become one of them.
“It is extremely disappointing to see this critical wildlife protection legislation get vetoed,” said Adirondack Council Executive Director Raul J. Aguirre. The measure would have particularly enhanced roadway safety in the Adirondacks and the North Country, he said.
Aquirre urged the DOT and Thruway Authority to put money in their budgets this upcoming fiscal year to pursue the studies outlined in the bill so they can qualify for federal funds.
Support Adirondack Journalism
Adirondack Explorer provides trusted, in-depth news on environmental issues, community dynamics, and outdoor recreation across the Adirondack Park. As an independent nonprofit, our work empowers readers to connect with and advocate for the preservation and sustainable enjoyment of this unique 6-million-acre region.
We share our work widely through this website. As a result, we rely on donations from readers to support investigative journalism that highlights the natural beauty and challenges facing the Adirondacks. Will you help us do more?
Disappointing and myopic, but not unexpected.
She needs the money to pay for the new Bills stadium!!?
These crossings don’t really work or reduce crashes…
And you know this how??
Very disappointing. Win – Wins are few and far between. Perhaps we should find a relative of hers who is in construction then they could get the contract to build the wildlife crossings.
Again and again Gov Hochul shows that her political instincts are pure trash. Why she would go out of her way to veto a widely supported bill, such as this, is straight up boneheaded, nevermind needlessly cruel.
What would the focus be? Would they even be looking at the Adirondacks. There are crossing things on the Northway now – right?
Wouldn’t this be concentrated on busy areas that have large wildlife crossing outside the park. That is what is dangerous for motorists. Hitting large mammals – basically deer. They are concentrated outside the Adirondacks. We have moose but so few that crossings for them are not really needed. How many motorists die each year in NY because they hit an animal? Is this another solution looking for a problem?
Paul,
FYI – a statewide AAA report from 2020:
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/animal-crashes-across-new-york-state-is-highest-in-10-years-aaa-says/2658196/?form=MG0AV3
A quick AI search stated an average of 9 deaths/year in NYS. And obviously many more non-fatal crashes. It also isn’t all about saving human lives. Animal deaths matter as well.
Obviously problem areas would be the focus. And of course, our elected representatives determine how important our area is. Tourists unfamiliar with aging Adirondack roadways with numerous animal crossings need to be considered. We want tourism, right? Speed, visibility, and driver awareness are also confounding variables. But federal funds are available, so why not incorporate the collision data into future road improvements? Improvements don’t need to be solely “animal crossings”, but early detection of animals that may be about to cross – and even more effective signage and speed limits.
But one very important reason to minimize collisions is to keep down rapidly increasing motorist insurance premiums. As cars become much more expensive and are designed to crush and deploy air bags on even moderate collisions, the REPAIR COST of each collision is really skyrocketing. Sensors, cameras, and entire crush zones often need to be replaced on these vehicles. We are no longer depending on clunky 5 MPH bumpers from 50 years ago to protect the vehicle or its inhabitants.
Envisioned “Wildlife Corridors” are another consideration that can also be incorporated into future roadway design.
Animal crossings are going to keep are premiums down, now that’s funny!
Boreas, “Federal Funds are available”, the Federal Government doesn’t make money, they spend OUR tax payer dollars. The Governor did the right thing by vetoing this nonsense that wastes taxpayers money.
As one born and raised in the Adirondacks, but who now lives in SoCal, I must admit it shames me that California has a greater awareness and love of its wildlife than my home state. California spends millions on wildlife crossings, a major one having just been completed on 395 in the Owens Valley. Come on, NY . . . “the kinship of all flesh”–Robert Penn Warren
The article doesn’t explain Senator Stec’s opposition. Does anyone know what his thinking was or have read it anywhere?
Animals can’t push a button to stop traffic and cross a road, yet they deserve to be able to cross without being turned into roadkill. Car culture is at the root of the problem.