Running north-south through the valley, Highway 97 is recognized as a scenic byway and provides a vital transportation corridor for freight and individual travel. In addition to vehicles, thousands of mule deer regularly travel in the valley. They journey between open lands, both public and private to access good quality browse and other habitat on either side of this valley. One of the places mule deer most often cross east to west is along a 13- mile stretch of Highway 97 between Riverside and north of Janis Bridge. The combination of people driving and deer migrating through this narrow corridor results in an epidemic of roadkill.

Just south of Janis bridge on Highway 97 in the Okanogan valley between mile posts 299 and 312 lays an extremely dangerous stretch of highway. The Okanogan Trails Mule Deer Foundation Chapter and interested citizens are working with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to identify and further solutions to provide safer passage on this stretch of highway for all. Learn more in the video below.