attempted to construct or modify any snow sheds, instead relying on an avalanche
forecasting program to mitigate risk. They have approached the park on at least one
occasion for a special permit for avalanche control, but usually high-hazard conditions ameliorate rapidly and so the opportunities for explosion control are very
limited (Reardon et al. 2004). The BNSF also purchased a “Daisy Bell” device
which, when suspended below a helicopter, can test snow stability by directing a
blast downward to the snowpack. This technique eliminates many of the disadvantages associated with explosive control. Fortunately, it appears that, as time
passes and as personnel changes take place, working relationships are being restored.
What Next?
The GNESA corridor remains an important locale for commerce and connectivity,
and grizzly bears remain an important issue in the corridor. The U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is working with BNSF to prepare a habitat conservation plan that,
under the ESA, will indemnify BNSF against litigation resulting from grizzly bear
deaths provided that BNSF continues to implement procedures and practices that
work to minimize mortalities. The implementation of the GNESA protocols and
continued support of the organization will likely be an important component of that
plan.
In general, efforts to control grizzly bear mortality have been successful
throughout the ecosystem, and the grizzly bear population rapidly is expanding
(Mace et al. 2012). State and federal bear managers are confident about the recovery
of the bear population and will likely seek removal of the NCDE grizzly bear from the
ESA within the next several years. Collaborative conservation efforts, as embodied
by GNESA, have been critical to the attainment of this conservation success.
New issues will continue to surface as development within the corridor continues. Heavy traffic of railroad cars carrying crude oil have been a concern, as has
increasing traffic on U. S. Highway 2 (Waller and Miller 2016). As traffic increases,
wildlife connectivity across the corridor will diminish to the point where some type
of accommodation will have to be made. Crossing structures are the current tool for
maintaining connectivity, but other concepts may arise. For example, strategic
highway planning might be used to direct higher traffic volumes to better-developed
road systems in less ecologically sensitive areas. The avalanche sheds currently
used are over 100 years old, in some cases, it might be possible to replace them
with new designs that serve to protect the railroad and highway from avalanches
and also serve as a crossing structure. Conservation investments of this magnitude
will require public/private partnerships and inter-agency collaboration.
New technologies will continue to surface that have the potential to further limit
wildlife mortalities and railroads have a responsibility to support the development
and application of these technologies. For example, long-range, optical-infrared
video alarm systems can warn engineers of wildlife on tracks day or night, far in
304
J.S. Waller
forecasting program to mitigate risk. They have approached the park on at least one
occasion for a special permit for avalanche control, but usually high-hazard conditions ameliorate rapidly and so the opportunities for explosion control are very
limited (Reardon et al. 2004). The BNSF also purchased a “Daisy Bell” device
which, when suspended below a helicopter, can test snow stability by directing a
blast downward to the snowpack. This technique eliminates many of the disadvantages associated with explosive control. Fortunately, it appears that, as time
passes and as personnel changes take place, working relationships are being restored.
What Next?
The GNESA corridor remains an important locale for commerce and connectivity,
and grizzly bears remain an important issue in the corridor. The U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is working with BNSF to prepare a habitat conservation plan that,
under the ESA, will indemnify BNSF against litigation resulting from grizzly bear
deaths provided that BNSF continues to implement procedures and practices that
work to minimize mortalities. The implementation of the GNESA protocols and
continued support of the organization will likely be an important component of that
plan.
In general, efforts to control grizzly bear mortality have been successful
throughout the ecosystem, and the grizzly bear population rapidly is expanding
(Mace et al. 2012). State and federal bear managers are confident about the recovery
of the bear population and will likely seek removal of the NCDE grizzly bear from the
ESA within the next several years. Collaborative conservation efforts, as embodied
by GNESA, have been critical to the attainment of this conservation success.
New issues will continue to surface as development within the corridor continues. Heavy traffic of railroad cars carrying crude oil have been a concern, as has
increasing traffic on U. S. Highway 2 (Waller and Miller 2016). As traffic increases,
wildlife connectivity across the corridor will diminish to the point where some type
of accommodation will have to be made. Crossing structures are the current tool for
maintaining connectivity, but other concepts may arise. For example, strategic
highway planning might be used to direct higher traffic volumes to better-developed
road systems in less ecologically sensitive areas. The avalanche sheds currently
used are over 100 years old, in some cases, it might be possible to replace them
with new designs that serve to protect the railroad and highway from avalanches
and also serve as a crossing structure. Conservation investments of this magnitude
will require public/private partnerships and inter-agency collaboration.
New technologies will continue to surface that have the potential to further limit
wildlife mortalities and railroads have a responsibility to support the development
and application of these technologies. For example, long-range, optical-infrared
video alarm systems can warn engineers of wildlife on tracks day or night, far in
304
J.S. Waller