The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP) Application Checklist, issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for fiscal years 2024-2026, serves as a comprehensive guide for project sponsors applying for WCPP grants. The checklist outlines essential components for a complete application, including required forms, project abstracts, narratives, and budget details. Applicants must categorize projects as construction or non-construction and submit relevant documentation such as project history, location, and partnerships. They should also demonstrate community engagement, technical feasibility, environmental compliance, and alignment with safety and climate change criteria. To be competitive, submissions must detail the project's potential for reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, enhancing habitat connectivity, and fostering economic development. The checklist emphasizes the importance of detailed planning, risk assessments, and alignment with federal, state, and local approval processes. Notably, this checklist aims to promote the integration of wildlife safety measures into transportation infrastructure, thereby contributing to ecological sustainability and community well-being.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP) for fiscal years 2024-2026. The program focuses on reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) and enhancing habitat connectivity for both terrestrial and aquatic species, aiming to distribute up to $227 million across two application periods. Eligible applicants include state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, Indian Tribes, and federal land management agencies. Awards will cover up to 80% of project costs, with a funding emphasis on projects located in rural areas. Applications for FY 2024 and FY 2025 must be submitted by September 4, 2024, while the FY 2026 application period opens on May 1, 2025. Key application elements include project narratives detailing project merit, readiness, budget, and alignment with safety and equity priorities. The program's overarching aim is to improve safety for both motorists and wildlife while fostering ecological conservation, thereby addressing critical public safety and environmental concerns. This funding opportunity stems from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which allocated significant resources to address WVCs and improve wildlife habitat connectivity across the country.