Wyoming Game and Fish director, Brian Nesvik, says the changes in the energy industry could move the Wildlife Crossing Project near La Barge and Kemmerer higher on the priority list.

He says the project has been identified for a while with people reporting on wildlife collisions there, but there are many projects that have been identified and you have to prioritize those plans.

“When the changes with the nuclear power plant were approved over there, that really raised that on the priority list,” Nesvik said. “Because we know there’s going to be more traffic and more potential for collisions.

“So I am very hopeful that we can get that funded and moving forward here in the near future.”

He says the state has shown a lot of support for these projects. He says there are two elements to it. One is a public safety aspect and the other is trying to preserve big game and in particular mule deer.

“It’s certainly been a priority of the Governor’s (Mark Gordon) and mine for a few year now,” Nesvik said. “We’ve got some real momentum.”

There are a few ways to help fund projects like this that the public can even help with he says. One is the conservation license plates the legislature made available. They’ve also done a lot of fundraising and have even got some federal money as well.

He says they have begun constructions at the Dry Piney Project, there’s another one in consideration on I-25, and the next couple that are being considered are at Dubois and the one near Kemmerer.

Nesvik also says that the Dry Piney Project is a big one. It will include eight underpasses.

“And fencing to channel or funnel big game animals into those underpasses,” Nesvik said.

He also says it got $14 million in federal grant money and through other avenues of fundraising were able to raise the rest of the money. In all it will cost just over $21 million according to Nesvik, but he says it will pay off as it is a long-term investment.