Wildlife linkages can have a significant impact on decreasing animal deaths on roadways as well as highway safety, according to An Assessment of Wildlife and Aquatic Habitat Linkages. The assessment, part of the early planning process for Corridor K, stresses the importance of including wildlife passages such as crossings, fencing and other mitigation measures in road construction. It was developed in conjunction with a wide variety of agency experts and citizens who provided input about the flora and fauna in the Cherokee National Forest.

The assessment noted that road ecology measures are new to Tennessee but can improve almost all existing highways, saying the ecological benefits are often one of the most important conservation measures within a state. The conservation improvements are usually immediate and improve with time, often turning construction opponents into supporters.

The report looks at the existing Highway 64 corridor and the alternate routes, describing the mammals, plants, snails, fish and other organisms that could be affected by a highway, stressing the need to include appropriate wildlife and stream crossings in the final design. Some 35 possible habitat linkages are identified, both for the existing highway and possible alternatives. If a new location is chosen, the report recommends crossings on the existing highway as well as the new one, noting when Hwy. 64 was constructed the art and science of road ecology was far into the future. “There is no doubt that with the present knowledge of both aquatic and terrestrial highway crossings that implementation of crossings and other mitigation measures would be beneficial to many species and would add to the sustainability of native wildlife and aquatic species into the future.”

The report notes that modern wildlife and aquatic crossings decrease wildlife mortality, improve habitat and population connectivity, and improve highway safety by keeping animals off the roadways in most cases. In general, it says, the animals (black bear, deer, bobcat, coyote, raccoon, etc) being considered for passing on Corridor K are not unique and standard wildlife crossing designs will suffice. Species-specific crossings may be needed for some fish, salamander and other species.

In summary, the report notes, the habitats and species along Corridor K are ecologically complex and fragile. Highways can become barriers for wildlife needing to reach food, water or minerals, and seasonal habitats. Habit fragmentation can result in the isolation of small populations of wildlife and rare plants, which makes them more vulnerable to extinction. “Much care must be taken to use state of the art highway ecology measures to minimize long-term impact,” even to smaller species like snakes and salamanders and little-known land snails. The report identifies locations of these species, which are important to maintain biodiversity.

Black bear habitat fragmentation is seen as one of the most critical issues, as the region (Cherokee, Nantahala, Chattahoochee and Great Smoky Mountains) supports the largest black bear population in the southeastern U.S. The report states that the two proposed routes south of the lake would fragment the largest bear reserve in the Cherokee and route N-4 (the northernmost, following parts of the Kimsey Highway) would separate remote habitat in Little Frog Wilderness from bear areas to the north. The Boyd Gap area was identified as a potential regionally significant bear habitat linkage because of the moderation of terrain at Boyd Gap, the de-watered status of the Ocoee River below Dam No. 3, and location between two significant core bear habitats.

Other carnivores in need of crossings are river otter, raccoon, opossum, bobcat and skunk. The report notes, “Like black bear, road mortality can be reduced with appropriate fencing and wildlife crossings. Providing adequate height and width at highway stream crossings often reduced road kill for some species.” It notes that any crossings for large animals, such as black bear, would also benefit deer and minimize future accident rates in those areas. Forest officials have noted that Elk, which have been trans-located into the Smokies, could come south into the Cherokee. Crossings for deer and bear would be too small to accommodate elk.

The Forest has 43 species of mammals, most with small home ranges and limited dispersal, with three (Carolina northern flying squirrel, gray bat and Indiana bat) listed under the Endangered Species Act. Surveys are recommended to determine whether they could be impacted. There are also six sensitive land snail species. The report notes the Ocoee gorge has been noted for its exceptional assemblage of land snails – of 250 species known in the state, more than 50 have been identified during rapid assessments of six sites in the gorge (Madden Branch, Caney Creek, Goforth Creek, Rogers Branch, Big Creek and Sheeds Creek).

Another critical issue is the large number of native and sport fish and other aquatic organisms in the drainages crossed by Hwy. 64. There are 154 species of fish in the Cherokee, including four listed as endangered, four as threatened and 11 as sensitive. The report states that the existing crossing structures are not adequate for passage of all aquatic organisms under current guidelines.

Rare plants or plant communities are also a concern, with the greatest impact likely along the existing corridor. Ruth’s Golden Aster, Fraser’s Yellow Loosestrife and the cranberry bogs found along Brush and Belcher Creeks are examples.

Habitat fragmentation is also an issue for certain breeding birds that avoid forest edges during nesting. Road construction breaks up the forest interior. The two possible southern corridors and N-4 are seen as having the greatest impact, while the alignments that take fullest advantage of existing alignment would have the least.

The southeastern US has a higher diversity of reptiles and amphibians than any other place in North America, according to the report. The Cherokee has 32 species of amphibians and 23 species of reptiles. There are six salamanders and one turtle classified as “sensitive” that could be found in the existing or proposed routes. The Northern Pine Snake and Seepage Salamander, both classified as “viability concern” are also found in the area.

Acidic rock is also a critical issue because exposing can make streams acidic.

The report suggests that proposed mitigation be based on the ways that highways impact wildlife: direct habitat loss from reduction of acreage, which is greater with a four-lane roadway; habitat fragmentation, especially for species that have large home ranges; highway mortality; displacement due to human activity; additional growth and development.

The report notes that there are several other factors influencing wildlife movement in the Corridor K area, such as Parksville Lake, recreational developments, the flume line, and numerous state, county and forest roads.