Abstract
 Using GIS Analysis for Public Involvement and Environmental Justice Track: Environmental Management Author(s): Scott Seeburger, Robert McMullen, Marialuisa Villanueva, Michael Laas, Aaron Quesada Roadways through sensitive habitats can have major impacts on wildlife, proving to be formidable barriers for wildlife of all sizes as they migrate and forage through their habitat. In order to prevent roadway-related wildlife mortalities, programs have been implemented that make use of wildlife crossings for safe, unobstructed passage, typically underneath, roadways. Highway US 1 South/SR 5 (18-Mile Stretch) transverses sensitive South Florida biomes in three ecosystems: Everglades National Park, Florida Bay, and Biscayne Bay. All three areas are key habitats for numerous animals, including those listed as endangered and threatened species. In August 2004, FDOT began a project to catalogue wildlife mortalities along this stretch of highway connecting the Florida Keys to the mainland. The goal is to develop a methodology for determining suitable locations for wildlife crossings along this and similar corridors by cross referencing trends in traffic patterns, wildlife mortality, and habitat type along the corridor. Barbara Culhane Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Planning and Environmental Management 1000 NW 111 Avenue Room 6101 Miami , FL 33178 US Phone: (305) 470-5231 Fax: (305) 470-5205 E-mail: barbara.culhane@dot.state.fl.us Robert McMullen Gannett Fleming Environmental Services 7300 Corporate Center Drive Suite 701 Miami , FL 33126-1233 US Phone: (786) 845-9540 Fax: (786) 845-6802 E-mail: rmcmullen@gfnet.com Marialuisa Villanueva University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) Marine Affairs Room 122B Grosvenor South 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami , FL 33149 US Phone: (305) 421-4012 E-mail: mvillanueva@rsmas.miami.edu Michael Laas Gannett Fleming 7300 Corporate Center Drive Suite 701 Miami , FL 33126-1233 US Phone: 786 423-7849 E-mail: michael.laas@gmail.com |
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