With spring’s arrival, I began contemplating summer.
That led me to reflect on the number of big game animals that were struck by
vehicles in Island Park last year. My instinct was to blame the rise on
increasing traffic or the 65 mph speed limit. I asked a knowledgeable resident
last week if he had any thoughts about the escalating wildlife collisions, he
proffered that the use of salt solution to de-ice the highway attracts wildlife
to the right of way.
I hadn’t considered the possibility that the brine was creating
a danger to big game animals, but it made sense. Spraying the solution
repeatedly on highway 20 over the winter turns the road through the caldera
into a 30 mile long salt lick. If the moose, elk, deer and antelope are drawn
to the highway, they are one wrong turn from a deadly encounter with a motor
vehicle.
I Googled the topic of “road salt attracting wildlife”
and found a list of state government sites (especially in New England) which
indicate that they have been aware of this problem for some time. The New
Hampshire Department of Environmental Services posts this information on their
web site:
“Road salt in the
environment affects the health of wildlife, including birds and mammals. Birds,
the most sensitive wildlife species to salt, often mistake road salt crystals
for seeds or grit. Consumption of very small amounts of salt can result in
toxicosis and death within the bird population. Wildlife such as deer and moose
are also attracted to the roadway to ingest salt crystals, which leads to
higher incidents of vehicular accidents and wildlife kills. Particularly high
concentrations of sodium and chloride can be found in snow melt, which many
animals drink to relieve thirst and potentially can cause salt toxicity
including dehydration, confusion and weakness, among other symptoms. Road salt
can cause a decline among populations of salt sensitive species reducing natural
diversity. Damage to vegetation can have significant impact on wildlife habitat
by destroying food resources, shelter and breeding and nesting sites, and by
creating a favorable environment for non-native invasive species.”
It seems counterproductive to invite people to vacation
in Island Park, attract large wildlife to the highway and hope that the visitors
can survive the gauntlet.
Those in charge of snow removal on Highway 20 might want
to reconsider their options. In the meantime, it would seem prudent to increase
the number of “Beware of Wildlife” signs on the highway. There are numerous
“Snowmobile Crossing” signs already in place. It would not require much time or
money to add the additional folding signs to the posts.
