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Monday, March 17, 2025

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Trump administration deports hundreds of immigrants, even as a judge orders removals be stopped; Sierra Club sues DOGE over mass firings; Lack of opportunity pushes rural Gen Zers in AZ out of their communities; Fixing one problem, creating another? Ohio's lead pipe replacements.

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Secretary of State Rubio pledges more arrests like that of student activist Mahmoud Khalil. Former EPA directors sound the alarm on Lee Zeldin's deregulation plans, and lack of opportunity is pushing rural Gen Zers out of their communities.

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Farmers worry promised federal reimbursements aren't coming while fears mount that the Trump administration's efforts to raise cash means the sale of public lands, and rural America's shortage of doctors has many physicians skipping retirement.

NM Legislature advances appropriations bill with funding for wildlife corridors

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Thursday, February 27, 2025   

The New Mexico state House of Representatives has advanced an appropriations bill advancing funding for new wildlife migration-crossing corridors to keep large animals and vehicles out of each other's path. It goes to the state Senate next week. The measure allots $50 million for constructing underpasses and overpasses to allow elk, deer, bears and other migrating animals to avoid crossing roadways.

Jim Hirsch, wildlife coordinator in District 4 with the New Mexico Department of Transportation, says the crossings keep both drivers and animals out of harm's way.

"You can have a reduction of well over 95% in wildlife vehicle collisions. Research with trail cameras have demonstrated that these structures are indeed used by a variety of wildlife," he said.

There are at least 1,200 such crashes reported to law enforcement each year, costing drivers nearly $20 million in vehicle damage, emergency response and hospital bills. An adult male elk can weigh up to 600 pounds and do catastrophic damage to a car or truck in a collision.

The Wildlife Corridors Act was passed with bipartisan support during the 2023 legislative session, but lawmakers failed in 2024 to approve funding for the project. State officials say if the Appropriations Bill is approved, they will plan and build dozens of bridge-like structures over the next few years.

Garrett Vene Klasen, director of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, says the project is critical.

"These projects are incredibly expensive. An overpass can cost upwards of 150 million or more. I mean, they're absolutely crucial for both people's safety, public safety, and for the wildlife themselves," he explained.

Wildlife Migration Corridors have been built in several other states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. A federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure package signed into law in 2021.


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