Victorville-to-Vegas rail project threatens mountain lions and other animals, senators say

U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla have criticized a high-speed rail project planned from Victorville to Las Vegas for ignoring potential deadly impacts to big horn sheep, mountain lions and other endangered animals.

The two senators who represent California wrote a letter dated Nov. 1, 2021, to Gov. Gavin Newsom, asking him to direct Caltrans to order Brightline to build at least three wildlife corridor overpasses as part of its $8 billion rail project.

The overpasses would allow for these and other animals listed on the state and federal Endangered Species Act to travel up and over the train tracks, protecting them from being fatally struck by the train and enabling mobility across the vast desert range.

“Brightline has not committed to build wildlife crossings even though it will be seeking tax-exempt private activity bonds for this $8 billion project, with expected revenue of nearly $1 billion,” the senators wrote.

The senators have not yet received a response from the governor, wrote Adam Russell, an aide to Feinstein, in an emailed response Thursday, Nov. 4.

The Brightline West project calls for a 170-mile train with tracks mostly within the 15 Freeway median. The Florida-based company says the high-speed rail will take passengers from the high desert to Las Vegas at speeds of up to 180 mph. Travelers would make the trek in half the time it would take to drive the route, the company says.

The project has been approved by the Federal Railroad Administration, which issued a “Record of Decision” containing a completed environmental analysis, according to Brightline. Last month, the company received preliminary state approvals for a separate, 48-mile spur down the Cajon Pass into Rancho Cucamonga.

The project has gained praise for potential environmental benefits. By running zero-emission trains, the company estimates the project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions that cause global climate change by 400,000 tons each year and reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled by 935 million annually.

“When launched, Brightline West will be one of the greenest forms of transportation in America and an eco-friendly upgrade to the I-15,” wrote Ben Porritt, Brightline senior vice president, in an email Thursday, Nov. 4.

Feinstein and Padilla acknowledge that reducing automobile emissions by giving Vegas-bound tourists an alternative means of transportation is a positive. But that should not exclude protecting desert animals, they said.

The senators wrote that the tracks would be “flanked by six-foot concrete walls topped by chain link fences” that will prevent animals from crossing the tracks to find food and to reproduce. A stagnant, cut-off population of mountain lions, big horn sheep as well as desert tortoises and Mojave ground squirrels could lead to their extinction.

“These protected animals, as well as bobcats, mule deer, and other terrestrial animals depend on movement across the I-15 corridor to maintain their population viability,” the senators wrote. They said these threats were documented by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in June 2021.

Brightline said it is working with state environmental agencies to ensure the project does not endanger desert animals. But no wildlife overpasses are planned for the project. Instead, the company said it will enhance existing culverts that run under the freeway to allow for animal crossings.

“As an example, we will maintain or improve the 600+ existing small culverts and large-scale crossings under the I-15 freeway that exist today and work with Caltrans and other stakeholders for any crossings that may be built over the I-15 in the future,” wrote Porritt.

Improvements to existing passages include culvert extensions across the freeway median and adding grates to provide more light that will encourage animals to use them. A darkened passageway prevents use because animals can’t see predators.

Other mitigations listed by Brightline include adding new tortoise fencing, keeping a licensed biologist on site, providing staff with environmental awareness training before construction and incorporating mitigation elements for “special status species” in construction plans.

Source: Orange County Register