Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program

Questions and Answers

The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP) Questions and Answers (Q&A) provide guidance on the 

WCPP established under section 11123(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 

No. 117-58, November 15, 2021), also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” (BIL), and codified at 

23 U.S.C. 171.

This Q&A was last updated on July 18, 2023. As appropriate, new Q&As will follow within their 

respective sections, including answers to questions submitted to the WCPP mailbox at 

wildlifecrossings@dot.gov. 

Except for the statutes and regulations cited, the contents of this document do not have the force and 

effect of law and are not meant to bind the States or the public in any way. This document is intended 

only to provide information regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.

Table of Contents

1. Program Overview.................................................................................................................................... 3 

Q 1.1: What is the purpose of this program? ....................................................................................... 3 

Q 1.2: Can this program provide funds for projects that reduce WVCs that involve one species and 

improve habitat connectivity for a different species?.......................................................................... 3 

Q 1.3: Is this program limited to providing funds for projects that benefit certain species? .............. 3 

Q 1.4: Will there be future WCPP grant opportunities?....................................................................... 3 

2. Terminology.............................................................................................................................................. 4 

Q 2.1: What is the definition of wildlife within the context of the WCPP? .......................................... 4 

Q 2.2: What is the definition of vehicle within the context of the WCPP? .......................................... 4 

Q 2.3: How will FHWA determine if a WCPP project is located in a rural area if it spans across both 

rural and urban areas?.......................................................................................................................... 4 

Q 2.4: Where can I find a list of endangered species or threatened species? ..................................... 4 

3. Funding ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 

Q 3.1: Why is the amount available under the NOFO less than the amount of funding authorized in 

BIL?........................................................................................................................................................ 4 

Q 3.2: When can funds be expended after an award is announced?................................................... 5 

Q 3.3: When do funds need to be obligated and expended?............................................................... 5 
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Q 3.4: How are previously expended funds considered in the application?........................................ 5 

Q 3.5: What flexibilities are there for providing non-Federal share (match) funds? ........................... 5 

4. Project Types and Eligible Activities........................................................................................................ 6 

Q 4.1: What types of projects and activities is FHWA seeking for this program? ................................ 6 

Q 4.2: Can Wildlife Crossings Program funds be used for one component of a larger project? ......... 7 

Q 4.3: When should an applicant submit multiple applications versus a single application with 

multiple components? .......................................................................................................................... 7 

Q 4.4: Does the project need to be physically located on a roadway? ................................................ 8 

Q 4.5: Are mitigation activities for new or existing highway projects eligible under this grant 

program?............................................................................................................................................... 8 

5. Grant Application ..................................................................................................................................... 8 

Q 5.1: When multiple eligible applicants that are subject to different requirements submit a joint 

application, what requirements does the project have to follow? ...................................................... 8 

Q 5.2: What constitutes documentation of consultation with the State DOT? ................................... 8 

Q 5.3: Is my application subject to review by my State under the Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 

Process per item #19 on SF-424?.......................................................................................................... 9 

Q 5.4: Is the Application Checklist provided as Attachment A of the NOFO a submission 

requirement? ........................................................................................................................................ 9 

6. Grant Administration ............................................................................................................................... 9 

Q 6.1: How will grants be administered where a metropolitan planning organization (MPO), unit of 

local government, regional transportation authority, or special purpose district or public authority 

with a transportation function is the lead applicant? .......................................................................... 9 

Q 6.2: How will grants be administered where FLMAs or Tribes are the lead applicant? .................10

Q 6.3: What is the deadline to complete the project? .......................................................................10

Q 6.4: What requirements are there for post construction monitoring and adaptive management?

............................................................................................................................................................10

Q 6.5: To whom can grant recipients provide funds?.........................................................................10
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1. Program Overview 

Q 1.1: What is the purpose of this program? 

The purpose of the Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program (WCPP) is to provide competitive grants for projects 

that seek to reduce the number of Wildlife Vehicle Collisions (WVCs) and, in doing so, improve habitat 

connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species (23 U.S.C. 171(b)). WVCs pose a danger to human safety

and are a major threat to the survival of species. 

Q 1.2: Can this program provide funds for projects that reduce WVCs that involve one species 

and improve habitat connectivity for a different species? 

Yes. To receive funding, applications must demonstrate that the project is likely to protect motorists and 

wildlife by reducing the number of WVCs and is likely to improve terrestrial and aquatic habitat 

connectivity (see NOFO Sections E.1.a and E.2.b.i). Applicants should identify the species that are 

impacted by the reduction in WVCs per Criterion #1.1 and the species that are impacted by the 

improvement to habitat connectivity per Criterion #1.2; however, these do not need to be the same 

species. For example, an eligible project could seek to reduce the number of collisions between vehicles 

and terrestrial wildlife while also seeking to improve habitat connectivity for aquatic species. 

Q 1.3: Is this program limited to providing funds for projects that benefit certain species?

No. There is no intrinsic limitation in the WCPP on what species need to be benefited for a project to 

receive funding. It is important to note, however, that applications must demonstrate that the project is 

likely to protect motorists and wildlife by reducing the number of WVCs and is likely to improve 

terrestrial and aquatic habitat connectivity to receive funding (see NOFO Sections E.1.a and E.2.b.i). 

Applicants may demonstrate a reduction in WVCs that are direct impacts between motorists and wildlife 

or roadway departures for motorists that seek to avoid a collision. 

Q 1.4: Will there be future WCPP grant opportunities?

Yes. The WCPP is a multi-year grant program with authorized funding beginning in FY 2022 and 

extending through FY 2026. The FY 2022 and FY 2023 NOFO, released on April 4, 2023, provides funding

for FY 2022 and FY 2023. Future NOFOs will provide funding for FY 2024, FY 2025, and FY 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to monitor https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/programs/wildlifecrossings and https://www.grants.gov/web/grants for future announcements. 
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2. Terminology 

Q 2.1: What is the definition of wildlife within the context of the WCPP? 

For the purposes of the WCPP, FHWA considers wildlife to be native wild animals. Livestock, 

domesticated animals, and animals with domesticated ancestors are not wildlife.

Q 2.2: What is the definition of vehicle within the context of the WCPP? 

For the purposes of the WCPP, FHWA considers a vehicle as referring to a motor vehicle operating on a 

roadway (see 23 U.S.C. 171(a)(2)(B), 171(e)(1)). 

Q 2.3: How will FHWA determine if a WCPP project is located in a rural area if it spans across 

both rural and urban areas? 

For the purposes of the WCPP, all locations not entirely designated as urban will be considered rural.

FHWA will consider projects that are in both urban and rural areas as rural. The definition of “rural 

areas” is found in 23 U.S.C. 101(a)(25) and refers to all areas of a State that are not urban areas. For the 

purpose of this notice, in line with 23 U.S.C. 101(a)(35), an urban area is an FHWA Adjusted Urban Area, 

a map of which can be found here. 

Q 2.4: Where can I find a list of endangered species or threatened species? 

Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 authorizes listing Endangered and Threatened species

(16 U.S.C. 1533). The listings can be found at 50 CFR 17.11. 

A directory of Endangered and Threatened species, which includes those under the National Marine 

Fisheries jurisdiction, can be found at: Species Directory | ESA Threatened and Endangered. 

A directory of Endangered and Threatened species and related resources under the jurisdiction of the 

United States Fish and Wildlife Service can be found under Listed Species Reports. 

3. Funding 

Q 3.1: Why is the amount available under the NOFO less than the amount of funding authorized 

in BIL? 

Section 11101(d)(1) of BIL authorizes from the Highway Trust Fund a total of $350 million in contract 

authority to carry out the WCPP for the period of FY 2022 through FY 2026. A total of $125 million is 
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authorized for FY 2022 and FY 2023, with $60 million authorized for FY 2022 and $65 million authorized 

for FY 2023. However, because of the imposition of the annual limitation on obligations of Federal-aid

highway program contract authority that is contained in each year’s annual appropriations act, only a 

total of $111,850,000 of FY 2022 and FY 2023 funding is available for award and obligation ($54,780,000 

of FY 2022 funding and $57,070,000 of FY 2023 funding). 

Q 3.2: When can funds be expended after an award is announced? 

Funds will be available for eligible grant activities once a grant agreement is signed and fully executed, 

which could take several months after awards are announced. Unless authorized by FHWA in writing, 

expenses incurred prior to the full execution of a WCPP grant agreement are not eligible for 

reimbursement (see Section D.2.C.ii of the NOFO for more information).

Q 3.3: When do funds need to be obligated and expended? 

Funds must be obligated within three years of the end of the FY for which the funds are authorized (23 

U.S.C. 118(b)). For the FY 2022 and FY 2023 NOFO, this means that the FY 2022 funds must be obligated 

by September 30, 2025, and the FY 2023 funds must be obligated by September 30, 2026. Funds will be 

obligated when the grant agreement is executed. 

FHWA may define timelines and deadlines for obligation and expenditure of funds in individual grant 

agreements. 

Q 3.4: How are previously expended funds considered in the application? 

Previously expended funds from any source that contribute to the overall cost of the project should be 

included in a project’s budget, but FHWA will not consider such expended funds as counting towards a 

project’s non-Federal matching share (see Section B.2 of the NOFO). 

In addition, previously expended Federal funds will not be considered by FHWA when evaluating the 

extent a project is likely to leverage Federal investment by encouraging non-Federal contributions to the 

projects under Criterion 2.1. Under 23 U.S.C. 171(e)(2)(A), this criterion is meant to consider the extent 

to which a project “is likely” to leverage Federal investment to encourage additional non-Federal 

funding. FHWA interprets this language to only refer to future non-Federal contributions, such as those 

provided under public-private partnerships, that are provided after execution of a WCPP grant 

agreement. 

Q 3.5: What flexibilities are there for providing non-Federal share (match) funds? 

According to 23 U.S.C. 120(b), except as otherwise provided in Title 23, U.S.C., the Federal share is 80 

percent, and all applicants must provide 20 percent of the total project cost (not 20 percent of the 

Federal share or 20 percent of any one project component) as match. 
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Unless specifically authorized by statute, Federal funds cannot be used to satisfy non-Federal share. 

Examples of Federal funds that Congress has specifically authorized in statute to be used as matching 

share include funds from the Tribal Transportation Program under 23 U.S.C. 202 and the Federal Lands 

Transportation Program under 23 U.S.C. 203 per 23 U.S.C. 120(k). Additionally, 23 U.S.C. 120(j) provides 

that any Federal funds, other than funds made available under either title 23 or title 49, U.S.C., may be 

used to pay the non-Federal share to pay the cost of any transportation project that is within, adjacent 

to, or provides access to Federal land. If the applicant believes a different funding source can be used

toward the matching share, applicants should provide a statutory citation and justification. FHWA will 

make the final determination on the match funding required for each awarded project.

The Federal share may increase beyond 80 percent based on the amount of Tribal and public lands in 

the State per 23 U.S.C. 120(b)(2). See https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4540-

12.cfm for information and tables with the adjusted percentages. FHWA recommends that applicants

verify the applicable percentage with the appropriate State Department of Transportation (State DOT) 

or FHWA Division prior to submitting an application. 

Applicants must provide a sufficient matching share to be eligible to receive WCPP funds and should

document cost sharing in their application. If the applicant believes a different matching share applies, 

applicants should provide a justification as to why that Federal share percentage applies and 

documentation indicating their ability to provide that alternative matching share. FHWA, however, will 

make the final determination on the match percentage required for each awarded project. For that 

reason, FHWA recommends that applicants include their ability to provide the 20 percent match under 

23 U.S.C. 120(b), since applications that do not provide a sufficient matching share will not be eligible to 

receive WCPP funds.

All matching share contributions must conform with the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 120 and 2 CFR 

200.306. In addition, previously incurred costs or previously expended funds will not count towards the 

matching requirement (see Section C.2 of the NOFO). 

For additional information on match, see https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructurelaw/fedshare_fact_sheet.cfm. 

4. Project Types and Eligible Activities 

Q 4.1: What types of projects and activities is FHWA seeking for this program? 

FHWA is seeking to award all types of projects that are likely to protect motorists and wildlife by 

reducing the number of WVCs and improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species, 

including Construction and Non-construction projects. For a list of examples of different kinds of WCPP 

projects, see Section B.4 of the NOFO. 

Eligible project grant activities may include, but are not limited to, the following activities: 
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 Research and analysis; 

 Preliminary planning activities and studies; 

 Public outreach;

 Predevelopment/preconstruction; 

 Preliminary engineering and design work; 

 Acquisition of real property, easements, and rights-of-way; 

 Environmental review and permitting activities, including the completion of the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process; 

 Infrastructure preservation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and replacement; 

 Construction activities and contingencies; 

 Environmental mitigation; 

 Operations;

 Monitoring and reporting; and

 Other administrative activities. 

All activities must conform to all applicable requirements, including those in Title 23, U.S.C. and 2 CFR 

Part 200. Applicants must include all eligible activities and costs that are associated with the project as 

part of their application.

WCPP funds can not be used to fund maintenance activities. Per 23 U.S.C. 116(b), it is the duty of the 

State DOT or other recipient to maintain, or cause to be maintained, any WCPP project.

Q 4.2: Can Wildlife Crossings Program funds be used for one component of a larger project? 

Yes. While WCPP funds can be used to fund a standalone project, they can also be used to fund

components of a larger project. FHWA also recognizes that some potential projects may focus on 

subsets of activities within the project development lifecycle (e.g., just environmental studies and 

reviews or preliminary engineering) or propose to build upon or complete project activities (e.g., 

construction of a project after its design has been completed). FHWA will allow proposed projects that 

include one or multiple such subsets. 

FHWA will evaluate projects against the WCPP criteria. Projects which require future action may not be 

able to demonstrate the same likelihood of achieving project criteria. The entire project must comply 

with all applicable requirements. 

Q 4.3: When should an applicant submit multiple applications versus a single application with 

multiple components? 

Only one project may be included in each application (see Section B.3.a of the NOFO). If a project 

consists of multiple components of the same project, an applicant should submit one application 

containing all such components. When determining whether multiple activities are components of the 

same project, or should be treated as different projects, FHWA will consider factors such as geographic 
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proximity, WVC and connectivity problems, and the goals and objectives of the components of the 

project.

Q 4.4: Does the project need to be physically located on a roadway? 

No. The project does not need to be physically located on a roadway, but the project does need to 

demonstrate a reduction in WVCs with motorists on the roadway (23 U.S.C. 171(a)(2)(B), 171(f)(1)). A 

roadway includes any Tribal, Federal, State, or local transportation facility that allows motor vehicle 

transportation. A roadway does not include a bicycle or pedestrian path that prohibits motor vehicles. 

Q 4.5: Are mitigation activities for new or existing highway projects eligible under this grant 

program? 

Yes. Mitigation of habitat caused or expected to be caused by highway projects funded under Title 23, 

U.S.C. are eligible activities under this grant program per 23 CFR part 777. Advance and compensatory 

mitigation activities are eligible per 23 CFR 777.5 and 23 CFR 777.9(d). 

5. Grant Application 

Q 5.1: When multiple eligible applicants that are subject to different requirements submit a joint 

application, what requirements does the project have to follow? 

Such applications must identify a lead applicant as the primary point of contact (POC) who will be the 

primary recipient of the award (see Section C.1 of the NOFO). The requirements that apply to the 

primary recipient will apply to the joint application and any subsequent grant award. FHWA will issue 

one award to the primary recipient who will enter into a grant agreement with FHWA to receive the 

funds. The other eligible applicants joining with the lead applicant will be listed as subrecipients in the 

grant agreement. 

Q 5.2: What constitutes documentation of consultation with the State DOT? 

All applicants, other than Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMAs), State DOTs, and Tribal 

applicants for projects entirely located on Tribal lands, must include documentation of consulting with 

the State DOT in which the applicant is located (see 23 U.S.C. 171(d)(2) and Section C.3.b of the NOFO).

Examples of documentation of consultation with the State DOT include, but are not limited to, letters,

agreements, and signed meeting minutes. 
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For grants to any eligible entity besides an FLMA or Tribe, the State DOT for the State in which the 

project is to be carried out will administer the grant (23 U.S.C. 171(f)(2)(A)(ii)). While FHWA does not 

require an applicant to form an agreement with the State DOT to administer the project during the 

consultation process, FHWA encourages applicants to do so.

FHWA will review the level of consultation with the State DOT and the extent to which an applicant has

shown that a State DOT has agreed to administer a proposed project in evaluating project readiness as

part of the WCPP evaluation process. 

 

Q 5.3: Is my application subject to review by my State under the Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 

Process per item #19 on SF-424? 

No. Select option c. for item #19: “Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.”

Q 5.4: Is the Application Checklist provided as Attachment A of the NOFO a submission 

requirement? 

No. The Application Checklist is a tool that can assist applicants to ensure their application is complete. 

The Application Checklist is not required to be submitted with the application, and its submission alone 

does not constitute a complete application. 

6. Grant Administration 

Q 6.1: How will grants be administered where a metropolitan planning organization (MPO), unit 

of local government, regional transportation authority, or special purpose district or public 

authority with a transportation function is the lead applicant? 

The State DOT in which the project is located must administer the WCPP grant for MPOs, units of local 

government, regional transportation authorities, or special purpose districts or public authorities (23 

U.S.C. 171(f)(2)(A)(ii)). For these entities, the State DOT must either directly administer the project on 

behalf of the entity or administer and oversee the project by serving as a pass-through entity for the 

entity. Reimbursement of WCPP funds and stewardship and oversight for these entities will be 

performed between the State and the appropriate FHWA Division Office. 

Per 23 U.S.C. 171(f)(2)(A)(ii), FHWA cannot award a grant to these entities if the State DOT does not 

agree to administer the grant. For such entities that receive awards, FHWA expects to work with the 

appropriate State DOT and entity during the grant agreement stage; however, FHWA encourages 

applicants to proactively discuss administration with the appropriate State DOT before submitting an 

application to ensure that funds can be awarded. While FHWA is statutorily required to administer 
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grants for FLMAs and Tribes (23 U.S.C. 171(f)(2)(A)(i)), all other applicants may not request for FHWA to 

directly administer the grant.

Q 6.2: How will grants be administered where FLMAs or Tribes are the lead applicant? 

FHWA must administer the grant for FLMAs and Tribes (23 U.S.C. 171(f)(2)(A)(i)). Funds will be 

administered via an advanced payment upon the execution of a grant agreement with the FHWA or 

through existing agreements with oversight from the FHWA Office of Federal Lands Highway. FLMAs and 

Tribes may not request for a State DOT to administer the grant. 

The terms of advance payment will be specific to each grant agreement. FHWA does not expect to 

provide all funds in advance, and typically funds are provided on an agreed upon frequency such as 

annually or quarterly throughout the life of the grant agreement. FLMAs and Tribes that receive awards

are expected to provide information on obligations and expenditures for the previous quarter (or other 

period) and ask for the funding for the next quarter based upon accurate estimates. 

Q 6.3: What is the deadline to complete the project? 

While FHWA will specify a period of performance for each project, there are no program limitations on 

the duration of projects. It should be noted again, however, that funds need to be obligated by FHWA

within three years after the end of the FY in which funding was provided (23 U.S.C. 118(b)), which means 

a grant agreement needs to be signed and fully executed within that timeline. Once the grant 

agreement is executed, the project can continue until the funds are expended or the period of 

performance is reached. FHWA will work with individual applicants to determine the appropriate 

timeline and interim milestones for each project, as some activities such as research and monitoring 

may take several years to complete, which are allowable. 

Q 6.4: What requirements are there for post construction monitoring and adaptive 

management? 

If applicable, the terms for post construction monitoring and adaptive management will be specific to 

each grant agreement, and the grant agreement will specify responsible parties, timelines, and 

requirements. New wildlife crossing structures may require ongoing monitoring and adaptive 

management, such as mitigation site monitoring activities for effectiveness. 

Q 6.5: To whom can grant recipients provide funds? 

Grant recipients can provide funds to Eligible Partners, subrecipients, and contractors. The WCPP 

includes statutory language allowing WCPP funds to be provided to Eligible Partners (23 U.S.C. 

171(f)(2)). That provision includes a list of Eligible Partners (23 U.S.C. 171(f)(2)(B)(i)-(ii)); however, a 

grant recipient may enter into an agreement with subrecipients that are not specifically included on that 
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list. If a grant recipient enters into an agreement with an Eligible Partner, that grant recipient must 

establish measures to verify that an Eligible Partner that receives WCPP funds complies with the 

conditions of the WCPP in using those funds (23 U.S.C. 171(f)(3)).

This provision creates the same relationship between a grant recipient and an Eligible Partner as would 

exist if the grant recipient was acting as a pass-through entity to a subrecipient. In either case, the grant 

recipient must ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal 

statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of any subaward (23 U.S.C. 171(f)(2)(B); 2 CFR 

200.332(d)). Regardless of whether a grant recipient forms a partnership or provides a subaward, the

grant recipient remains responsible for program compliance with program requirements, performance 

measures, and terms and conditions, as specified in the grant agreement. 

Grant recipients or subrecipients may provide WCPP funds to a contractor to provide property or 

services needed to carry out the project (see 2 CFR 200.1).