Volunteers from the Alaska Moose Federation (AMF), under permit from the Alaska Department of Transportation, have begun to remove moose browse from a section of the New Seward Highway. This week’s work will be performed on Saturday, October 27, 2012 between Dimond and O’Malley on the West side of the highway. The goal of this project is to discourage moose to live on the corridor by removing this hazardous food attractant. The work will be performed mostly during weekends during the month of October. Gary Olson, AMF Executive Director commented, “The New Seward corridor has some of the worst moose collisions in the state. This project is near the fatal moose collision site where Spc. Stephen ‘Max’ Cavanaugh Jr. was killed in 2007, only 60 days after returning from active duty in Iraq. We plan on making this an annual effort, similar to the trash pickup day, so moose browse never has a chance to re‐grow enough to lure moose to the highways.”
Clearing right‐of‐ways is an approved moose mitigation strategy in Alaska Department of Transportation’s Strategic Transportation Safety Plan (STSP). The STSP was originally approved by the Federal Highway Administration in 2007. This strategy, along with critical wintering habitat enhancement, diversionary trail & feeding, safer moose salvage, orphaned calf rescue & relocation, and directional wildlife fencing & lighting are all tools designed to reduce the increasing moose collisions on Alaska roads. Fall in Alaska marks the beginning of the seasonal increase in moose vehicle collisions. AMF is asking motorists to slow down, keep your windshield and head lights clean, buckle up and keep watching for moose along the roads. Moose have become more active during the rut which has already resulted in some increased moose collisions. This past winter’s record snowfall was a reminder of how dangerous moose are around highways. The statewide average of 770 moose collisions was greatly increased because of the heavy snows. Federal fuel standards continue to make vehicles smaller so the effort to reduce moose collisions is a very important effort. If you are interested in volunteering with this project or to learn more about what is being done to enhance moose well away from road and railroad corridors, please visit our website at www.growmoremoose.org or call (907) 33‐MOOSE. AMF’s mission is to build moose conservation, public safety, and food security programs that provide long‐term wildlife abundance improvements through scientific, educational, and cultural collaborations with state and federal agencies, Alaskan communities, and the public at‐large. AMF is a non‐profit corporation registered in the state of Alaska, and has received its 501c3 tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.