Pacheco Pass Wildlife Connectivity Project

The Pacheco Pass Wildlife Connectivity Project, led by the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency, aims to enhance wildlife mobility and reduce human-wildlife conflicts along a 7.1-mile stretch of SR 152 in Santa Clara County, California, between post miles 27.5 and 34.6. The project involves constructing up to three wildlife crossing structures—two girder bridge overcrossings and one tunnel undercrossing—along with the installation of up to 10 miles of directional fencing within 10 feet of either side of the highway to guide animals safely across or under the road. These measures are designed to reconnect fragmented habitats, enable seasonal migration and genetic dispersal for native species such as elk, mule deer, and mountain lions, and significantly reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. The initiative supports the broader goals of conserving and restoring California's native fish and wildlife populations and their associated ecosystems, with a direct focus on habitat enhancement and biodiversity recovery. The project operates under a categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), specifically Public Resources Code § 21080.56, which validates its environmental purpose and streamlines approval through state-level coordination, including concurrence from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife under its State Environmental Review Process. No federal acquisition regulations, contractual clauses, pricing details, or formal procurement mechanisms are referenced, indicating this is a state-driven conservation effort rather than a competitive federal contract. The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency serves as both the lead agency and the responsible entity for implementation, with Edmund Sullivan, Executive Officer, listed as the primary point of contact. While the project has been forecasted and environmental compliance is confirmed, no formal solicitation, contract number, delivery schedule, payment terms, or evaluation criteria have been established, underscoring its preliminary status and reliance on environmental exemptions rather than traditional contracting processes.