Grassland and Savanna Protocols
Broad Authorized Incidental Taking Protocols for Grassland & Savanna Management

DNR Endangered Species Consultation for Taking Authorization for Grassland or Savanna Management on Public or Private Lands -- this State Agency Consultation, as provided for under s. 29.604, Wis. Stats., is for authorization of incidental taking (mortality) of listed species through the grassland and savanna management that the Department conducts, funds, or approves on public or private lands. This Consultation is intended to provide broad taking coverage for those endangered and threatened grassland/savanna species whose continued existence depends upon periodic disturbance to set back succession. Such disturbance may result in some mortality, however the Department intends to conduct its management so that the habitat for these species and the natural ecosystems as a whole are maintained, and not lost to vegetative succession or invasives.

It is important to be aware that the site-management protocols developed for this Consultation are not developed to serve as best management guidance for maximizing or recovering population levels of these species. However, these incidental take protocols are intended to fully meet the requirements of the law, including the requirement that any taking does not jeopardize Wisconsin's recovery of these species. (The Bureau of Endangered Resources will provide any information it has on best management guidance as it becomes available.)

The Department will apply the principles of adaptive management to this Consultation project. As the collective knowledge-base evolves, and new data are gathered on the effects of management on various species, these protocols will be modified accordingly. Regular, formal review of management protocols for allowing taking of listed species is a condition of this Consultation project (see Condition 5).

• Grassland and Savanna Protocols Introduction [PDF 118KB]
• ER Review Documentation - Form ER (1700-046) [PDF 17KB]

Incidental Take Protocols for Individual Species:

For questions regarding the Grassland & Savanna Protocols, please contact: