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Rebuilding of power line may result in incidental take of rare lizard

Weekly News Article Published: November 10, 2009 by the Central Office

EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state endangered or threatened species.

MADISON – The rebuilding and maintenance of an existing electrical transmission line from Plainfield to south of Coloma in Waushara County could result in the “incidental taking” of a lizard that is listed as an endangered species in Wisconsin, under a permit the Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize for the project.

American Transmission Company (ATC) is planning to replace damaged utility poles, string new shield wire, and complete other maintenance activities along the transmission line known as Y-90 or Chaffee Creek to Plainfield located in the Towns of Coloma, Hancock and Plainfield in Waushara County.

Portions of the project corridor include habitat that is suitable for the state endangered slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus), including oak savannas, sand prairies, old fields with sandy soils, and woodland edges. DNR biologists have confirmed the presence of the slender glass lizard in the vicinity of the project site and determined that the species is likely present and that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some lizards.

Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the overall population of the species at risk.

However, the department has concluded that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the lizard by adhering to conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of these lizards or the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.

In order to minimize possible impacts to the slender glass lizard, the project will conduct work during the lizard’s inactive period, minimize the area of project disturbance, and restore disturbed areas to pre-existing conditions.

The conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on this endangered species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the slender glass lizard are available on the Incidental Take pages of the DNR Web site or upon request from Rori Paloski, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 101 South Webster, Madison, WI 53707, (608) 264-6040. Public comments will be taken through December 1, 2009 and should be sent to Ms. Paloski at the above address.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Rori Paloski, DNR, Bureau of Endangered Resources, (608) 264-6040 or P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707-7921.

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