Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Honeyager, Farrell & Kasco of WI, LLP Condominium Development

MADISON, Wis. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state-Threatened Butler’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) resulting from a condominium development proposed by property owners Bill Honeyager, John Farrell, and Kasco of Wisconsin, LLP. The approximately 25-acre development will occur on two adjoining properties located south of West Howard Avenue in the City of New Berlin, Waukesha County, in the northwest quarter of Section 23, Township 6 North, Range 20 East.

The proposed development site is located on the Honeyager and Farrell sites and currently include a mixture of pasture and wooded uplands and wetlands with pockets of wet meadow and cattail wetland habitat. A shallow drainage ditch runs along the west property line of the Farrell parcel and connects to a third property to the west, the Deer Creek Golf Course owned by Kasco of Wisconsin, LLP., before terminating in Deer Creek. Snake surveys were conducted for the proposed sites and the presence of Butler’s gartersnakes was confirmed. The habitat patch within the sites is considered to be moderate conservation value and the proposed project will likely incur take.

Through the Incidental Take Consultation process, a snake conservation plan was completed and involves a number of conservation and minimization measures to ensure the protection of the snake. Impacts will be minimized by using snake exclusion fencing and time of year restrictions. Sites within the property and the adjoining Deer Creek Golf Course will be restored to suitable habitat for the snake and provide a valuable migration corridor. Finally, permanent protection of suitable habitat will occur through deed restrictions.

The Department has determined that the proposed projects will minimize the impacts to the snake by adhering to the conservation measures; are 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 actions.

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

Information & Supporting Materials:
Jeopardy Assessment and Background Information [PDF 72KB]