Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed DOT-USH 45 Winnebago Couny

MADISON, Wis. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state-endangered, wild petunia (Ruellia humilis) resulting from the expansion of USH 45 between CTH G and CTH II in Winnebago County.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing to convert the current USH 45 two lane expressway into a four lane rural expressway. The additional lanes between CTH G and CTH II will be constructed east of the existing lanes. Native remnant prairie was encountered on both sides of the existing roadway between CTH G and Breezewood Lane. All areas of prairie plant communities were surveyed four times during the 2006 growing season. They totaled approximately 7.46 acres (3.09 acres west of USH 45 and 4.37 acres east). Three plant species of significance were identified on the west side, the state endangered Wild petunia (Ruellia humilis), as well as Tall coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris) and Narrow-leaved vervain (Verbena simplex) both special concern species rarely encountered in this part of the state.

DOT worked during design to avoid and minimize impacts to the prairie and listed plants. The west frontage road was realigned to avoid the prairie plant communities and to establish a 4.5 acre parcel of land between the frontage road and USH 45 that will be maintained as native prairie habitat. To preserve and expand the remaining prairie plant communities on the east side, a 5 acre parcel will be purchased and managed as prairie habitat. A Conservation Plan was developed to collect seed and move the listed plants that could not be avoided to the remaining and restored prairie areas. A long-term management plan will be implemented to preserve the prairie plant communities. Special provisions were incorporated into the construction contract and utility work to ensure protection of the prairie habitat and its species during construction. This incidental take authorization is proposed to cover unintentional loss due to construction and potential loss that could occur from plant relocations and subsequent habitat management.

The Department has determined that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the wild petunia and other plants by transplanting and collecting seed, conducting prairie management and restoration, and monitoring the plants and their habitat. The Department determined it is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of wild petunia or the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the actions.

Copies of the Conservation Plan and Jeopardy Assessment are available on the DNR website at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/take/notices.html or upon request from Lisie Kitchel at the address below. Public comments will be taken through July 10th, 2007 and should be sent to the address above.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisie Kitchel, DNR, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 608/266-5248 or P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707-7921

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