Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed ATC - Saukville to St. Lawrence

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state threatened Butler’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) resulting from the rebuild of an existing transmission line between Saukville and St. Lawrence Substations in Ozaukee and Washington Counties.

American Transmission Company (ATC) plans to rebuild the existing transmission line by replacing poles, insulators and conductors along the 19.1 mile route. The line is located between the Village of Saukville, Ozaukee County and Hartford Township, Washington County. The corridor includes mostly upland habitat with some wetland areas. The project will entail construction in the wetland areas and will primarily occur during the winter months (November through March). The project will employ construction mats to minimize habitat disturbance, snake exclusion fencing, snake removals as needed, and restoration of habitats to pre-activity condition. Some compaction of the soils and vegetation will still result but the impacts are expected to be minimal and the habitat is expected to return to its previous condition.

The presence of the state-threatened Butler’s gartersnake has been confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR has determined that the species is likely present due to the presence of suitable habitat and that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes. However, the Department has concluded that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the snake by adhering to conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of these snakes 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.

The conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the threatened species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the conservation measures, background information on the Butler’s gartersnake, and the jeopardy assessment are available 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 January 10, 2008 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.

Copies of the jeopardy assessment and conservation measures are available below or upon request from:

Information & Supporting Materials:
Jeopardy Assessment ATC Saukville St. Lawrence [PDF 9KB]