Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed ATC_Arrowhead_Weston_LH

MADISON – The construction of a portion of a high-capacity electricity transmission line across northern Wisconsin could result in the incidental taking of a rare turtle species if encountered during construction.

As part of the environmental permitting process for the American Transmission Company line from Wausau, Wis. to Duluth, Minn., a screening for rare species determined that sites along the line in Wisconsin could potentially contain suitable habitat for the wood turtle, a threatened species under state law. The 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line will be approximately 220 miles in length, 208 miles of which are located in Wisconsin.

DNR staff and a qualified herpetologist further evaluated the corridor and recommended measures that will avoid most impacts the project will have on the turtle. However, they determined there are four areas along the corridor where measures could not be implemented to avoid impacts on the turtle, and where “incidental take” may occur.

Under the “incidental taking” law, the DNR can authorize the taking of an endangered or threatened species if it will not jeopardize the species' survival or recovery in Wisconsin.

One segment in Douglas County, known as the LH spread, is approximately 19 miles long and includes 4 sites where the presence of the turtle is suspected. Project developers will undertake a variety of conservation measures to minimize the adverse impacts on the turtle, including installing turtle exclusion fencing and conducting turtle removals prior to any construction activity. In addition, the extent of vegetation clearing will be reduced, low impact clearing methods will be used within suitable habitat, and a qualified herpetologist will be responsible for on-site monitoring during construction. Finally, the land disturbed during construction will be restored to natural vegetation upon project completion. The overall loss of turtles is expected to be very low.

DNR staff have concluded that the proposed project will minimize impacts to turtles by adhering to conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of these turtles 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.

Copies of the conservation measures, information on the turtle, and the jeopardy assessment are available on the DNR Web site at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/take/notices.html or upon request from Lisie Kitchel, DNR, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 101 South Webster, Madison, WI 53707, (608) 266-5248. Public comments will be taken through May 25, 2007 and should be sent to the address above.

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