subaccount for projects that improve the state's commuter rail infrastructure, including the building or improvement of grade-separated crossings between commuter rail lines and public highways. (f) Appropriations made in accordance with this section are nonlapsing in accordance with Section 63J-1-602.1. (14) (a) There is created in the Transportation Investment Fund of 2005 the Wildlife Crossing Account. (b) The account shall be funded by: (i) contributions deposited into the account in accordance with Section 59-12-103; (ii) appropriations by the Legislature; (iii) donations described in Sections 41-1a-230.1 and 23A-3-217; and (iv) private contributions. (v) The account shall earn interest. (vi) All interest earned on money in the account shall be deposited into the account. (c) (i) The department may use money in the account for wildlife crossing and connectivity projects including: (A) wildlife overpasses; (B) wildlife underpasses; (C) directional fencing and escape ramps; (D) associated habitat-connectivity mitigation structures and technology, including wildlife- friendly fencing, cattle guards, and fence modifications that improve wildlife movement and habitat connectivity and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions; (E) fencing, cattle guards, and other infrastructure to promote traffic and livestock safety; (F) culvert replacement, retrofit, or modification projects designed to improve aquatic organism passage, fish passage, and stream connectivity, including projects that restore natural hydrology and reduce barriers created by transportation infrastructure; (G) wildlife-movement and habitat-connectivity planning, including mapping, research, monitoring, and statewide connectivity analyses; and (H) protection projects related to livestock and traffic interactions. (ii) The department shall use 10% of the money in the account for livestock-related safety projects. (d) In consultation with the Division of Wildlife Resources and relevant stakeholders, the department shall recommend wildlife connectivity projects to the commission for prioritization. (e) The department shall recommend livestock protection projects to the commission for prioritization based on needs and evaluation of problematic livestock incident areas. (f) The commission shall determine which projects to prioritize based on the recommendations described in Subsections (14)(d) and (e). (g) The executive director may recommend and the commission may choose to retain money in the account from one year to combine with funds from another year for allocation to a larger, more impactful project, as determined by the commission.
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