Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed ATC - Paddock to Rockdale Transmission Line

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state threatened Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) resulting from construction of a 345kV transmission line between Paddock and Rockdale in Dane and Rock Counties, Wisconsin. 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.

American Transmission Company LLC and ATC Management Inc (collectively ATC) is constructing approximately 35 miles of new 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line generally located on existing right-of-way (ROW) from the existing Paddock Substation to the existing Rockdale Substation in Rock and Dane Counties and associated facilities. The project will utilize a combination of double-circuit and triple-circuit new steel monopole and existing lattice transmission structures. In order to operate equipment in the wetlands and to minimize disturbance to these sensitive habitats, construction matting will be placed prior to construction of the line’s transmission towers. The placement of the mats and the construction of the transmission line towers pose a potential risk of take of the turtles.

The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the Blanding’s turtle is likely present due to the presence of suitable habitat and that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some turtles. However, the Department has concluded that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the turtle 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.

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 Blanding’s turtle, 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 August 18, 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:
ATC Paddock-Rockdale Jeopardy Assessment [PDF 7KB]