BONNERS FERRY - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has awarded a grant of $99,268 to fund the McArthur Lake Wildlife Safety Project, an effort to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on U.S. 95 near Bonners Ferry.

The McArthur Lake area has the highest number of wildlife-vehicle collisions in the state.

"This grant award will help us protect the safety of our citizens and reduce vehicle damage," said Dan Dinning, KVRI chairman and Boundary County Commissioner. "At the same time, we urge motorists to drive carefully and keep an eye out for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk."

Between 2000 and 2010, there were 321 documented wildlife-related accidents reported on U.S. 95 from milepost 478 to 505. The majority of these accidents occurred from milepost 490 to 505, the proposed project area.

During this 10-year time period, two of these accidents caused human fatalities, and 36 more resulted in injuries. All told, these wildlife vehicle collisions cost an estimated $4.9 million, ranging from loss of life to vehicle repairs. In 2011, there was one human fatality between a motorcycle and a deer.

The area is also an important wildlife corridor in North Idaho, connecting the expansive public forests of the Selkirk and the Cabinet mountains. Each year, deer, elk, moose, black bear and other wildlife pass through the area.

The Nature Conservancy will raise nearly $100,000 to match the Foundation funds. The Conservancy will work with the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative to implement the grant.

"Most of the funding will go toward on-the-ground safety measures along U.S. 95," said Kennon McClintock, the Conservancy's project leader.

Project partners will determine which measures are most appropriate based on a cost-benefit analysis, but could include wildlife fencing or animal detection systems which alert motorists to real-time wildlife hazards.

"This proposed solution to a local problem demonstrates once again the wisdom behind collaboration," said U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo. "KVRI and the Nature Conservancy are to be commended for identifying a solution to a life-threatening issue for both drivers and wildlife."

Idaho Dist. 1 Sen. Shawn Keough said, "I appreciate the NFWF awarding this grant. This corridor is a dangerous stretch of highway for both motorists and wildlife. In this depressed economic time, private-public partnerships like this project are very helpful to address safety issues as critical as the McArthur Curve."

KVRI will coordinate with TNC and others to undertake the cost-benefit analysis in 2012. This analysis will help determine appropriate safety measures to implement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds.