Section 408.NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] [Wildlife Crossings Account]1. The Wildlife Crossings Account is hereby created in the State General Fund. The Director shall administer the Account. The Account is a continuing account without reversion. 2. Any proceeds from the issuance of bonds or other securities for the Account must be deposited in the State Treasury for credit to the Account. 3. The Director may accept gifts, grants and bequests of money from any public or private source. The money must be deposited in the State Treasury for credit to the Account. 4. Money in the Account must be used by the Department for the design, construction, identification, restoration and protection of wildlife crossings and other related highway features to improve wildlife permeability in this State, which may include, without limitation: (a) Matching any federal money for a project to design, construct, identify, restore or protect wildlife crossings and other related highway features; (b) Conducting studies on wildlife crossings and other related highway features; (c) Designing or constructing wildlife crossings and other related highway features; (d) Planning related to wildlife crossings and other related highway features; (e) Staffing needs related to the design, construction, identification, restoration and protection of wildlife crossings and other related highway features; and (f) Carrying out the provisions of sections 1.5 to 5, inclusive, of this act, in cooperation with the Department of Wildlife. 5. In administering the Account, the Department shall consult with the Department of Wildlife to: (a) Identify locations where key wildlife habitat, wildlife migration corridors and highways intersect; (b) Identify and implement strategies to avoid, minimize and mitigate wildlife-vehicle collisions; and (c) Prioritize areas to implement projects for wildlife crossings or other related highway features to improve permeability for wildlife while maintaining highway user safety. 6. All claims against the Account must be paid as other claims against the State are paid.Added by 2023, Ch. 246,§2, eff. 7/1/2023.