The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, proposed to resurface and widen Bayside Wildlife Drive at the Refuge and to create wildlife crossings for the endangered ocelot. ERO prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate alternatives that would reduce risks to ocelots from vehicle collisions, while at the same time allowing visitors vehicle access to the Refuge along Bayside Wildlife Drive. The preferred alternative proposed that the road be widened and rehabilitated and two grade‐separated crossings be constructed in the north section of Bayside Wildlife Drive for wildlife movement. The EA also addressed impacts on other wildlife, including other threatened and endangered species; wetlands; vegetation; and floodplains.
