Mary and I live in a home that back up to the wetlands. It's a terrific location. Last summer, we had a moose grazing across from our home three nights in a row. We frequently have foxes; we get 2-300 birds every morning in our back yard; we do battle with a very fat porcupine who likes the bird seed as much as the birds do; a couple of racoons like our home; and we have bear paw prints on the side of our house. You learn how to live with wildlife - and you love it. It's one of the reasons for being here. But, the more civilization encroaches on what was once completely wild territory, the risks manifest in the form of animal deaths. You can be fined $300, for example, for letting your dog run loose in the wetlands chasing wildlife. But, if your dog causes an animal to become a dangerous nuisance, that animal can be put down. One of the things that has made life much more difficult for wildlife is major highways like I-70. Our highways, after all, bisect migration routes of many of our wild animals. In the ten years between 1993 AND 2003, there were 83 animal collisions reported in just the few miles between East Vail and the top of Vail Pass. That is 8 a year. And officials estimate that is only a small percentage, since most animal collisions go unreported. So, a new proposal to create a wildlife bridge over I-70 is timely indeed. While the estimated $4.5 million to build it seems high, two existing ones - in Canada's Banff National Park and in Europe - have proven very effective. A 5-year study shows an 80% reduction in animal-car collisions. So, come to Summit County. Enjoy our skiing, our nighlife, and our wildlife. But, remember that those animals are for watching and enjoying, not interacting with. And be careful on those highways. | 
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