Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed LaBellaVita

MADISON, Wis. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the incidental taking of the State-Threatened Butler’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) resulting from the construction of the La Bella Vita Condominium development proposed by Pewaukee Ventures, LLC. The 32-acre site is located in the City of Pewaukee in Section 15 of Township 7 North, Range 19 East in Waukesha County.

A habitat assessment was performed on-site and it was determined that the project will be constructed in 10.54 acres of suitable habitat for Butler’s gartersnake that is a Tier 3 conservation site. Measures to avoid and minimize encroachment into existing snake habitat were implemented through sequential engineering adjustments, including adjustment to road, stormwater and building configurations, reduction of the number of housing units, and a 75-foot wetland setback. Although this project has the potential to cause incidental take of Butler’s gartersnake, a significant snake removal effort is currently underway to minimize take of the snake at this location.

An approved Conservation Plan for the project will exceed the mitigation requirements to assure no net loss of suitable habitat, and includes restoration of temporarily disturbed habitat, restoration of poor quality to good quality habitat to mitigate for the loss of suitable habitat, restoration of upland buffer areas, and protection and management of suitable habitat through a conservation easement.

As a result of the conservation measures implemented through the Conservation Plan, the Department has determined that the proposed project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence or recovery of the state population of this snake 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 if the Conservation Plan is strictly adhered to.

Copies of the jeopardy assessment and conservation measures are available on the DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/take/overview.htm or upon request from Lisie Kitchel, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 101 South Webster, Madison, WI 53707, (608) 266-5248. Public comments will be taken through August 9th, 2007 and should be sent to the above address.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisie Kitchel at 608/266-5148, Bob Hay at 608/267-0849 or Rori Paloski at 608/264-6040 or at DNR, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 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:
Jeopardy Decision La Bella Vita [PDF 8KB]