Several states are taking positive strides towards avoiding habitat fragmentation at the statewide and/or regional planning level by making a shift towards an ecosystem-based approach.
According to Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, connectivity issues are rarely considered at the regional planning level unless listed species are involved. Habitat fragmentation issues are usually handled during the Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation process between FHWA and the USFWS.
For instance, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is working with Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on a habitat-based study that will prioritize areas within watersheds and ecoregions and give INDOT a framework to use towards efforts at avoiding habitat fragmentation at the statewide and regional planning level. The study is based on the Indiana Forest Management Plan.
Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) uses a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool called "Green Infrastructure" (GI) that was recently developed and is still being introduced throughout the SHA and recently to regional planners and to Metropolitan Planning Organizations for use in their long range planning efforts. The GI assessment includes everything in the undeveloped environment which was mapped in GIS and is now used to screen projects at the statewide level. The GI tool identifies critical areas known as hubs and corridors and, in turn, SHA makes every effort to minimize impacts. Some Maryland counties are also developing their own versions of the tool. The GI Tool utilizes an Eco-logical approach/ systems approach, rather than a species-specific approach.
New Hampshire DOT (NHDOT) is taking a local approach by working with the NH Audubon Society to develop guidelines for considering habitat fragmentation and to implement them in municipalities. NHDOT has been making efforts to get municipalities and regional planning commissions to examine and consider conservation lands in the area before they suggest new roads to be placed on the 10-year plan for funding. They also use New Hampshire's Geographically Referenced Analysis and Information Transfer System (GRANIT) to determine sensitive habitat and areas to avoid during corridor planning and regional planning.
The New York State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy identifies the protection of land in large blocks of unfragmented forests, as a conservation priority. However, at this time, most connectivity issues are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Oregon has recently published Wildlife Linkages data available for planners to use for consideration of habitat connectivity across highways and major roads. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has recently funded a Habitat Connectivity Biologist position whose sole focus is addressing wildlife movement, habitat fragmentation, and connectivity at a statewide level. The creation of this position was a result of the Oregon Conservation Strategy (OCS) written by ODFW to fulfill the requirements of the congressionally created State Wildlife Grants Program.
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has developed the Texas Conservation Action Plan (TCAP) which will be put into action in early 2011. TCAP will be the central planning document for natural resources when developing a project. TCAP includes the construction of a detailed mapping database of potential habitats and, listed species and/or records of occurrence based on the NatureServe Ecological System Classification System. The project is in its third year of a 5-year duration. Under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), TxDOT provides training on how to use the tool in exchange for access to the data. However, since access is controlled due to concerns with releasing information on rare plants and animals, regional planners must send a request and get information through coordination with TPWD until they can be properly trained on the system. Texas is making a conscientious effort towards an ecosystem-based approach, as demonstrated by their mapping efforts to redefine ecoregions to be more in-line with EPA designations and promote consistency across state boundaries.