Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Living Word High School - Athletic Fields

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the State-threatened Butler’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) resulting from the grading and construction of athletic fields adjacent to the Living Word Lutheran High School in the Village of Jackson. The proposed development site is located in the northeast quarter of section 17 of T10N R20E in Washington County. The project proposes to construct baseball, football, soccer and track facilities to the north of the existing high school building within currently agricultural land and to construct a gravel roadway over a small wetland along a linear drainage way.

The proposed project area includes habitat for the Butler’s gartersnake along a small, linear drainage way in the northern part of the site (1.97 acres of habitat within the project area). This habitat is part of a larger Tier 3 habitat patch (Site of Significant Conservation Value for the snake) with confirmed presence of the Butler’s gartersnakes. This project may result in very minimal incidental take of the Butler’s gartersnake as it proposes to impact only a modest amount of suitable wetland habitat through construction of an access road. To minimize take, the project will follow the Butler’s Gartersnake Conservation Strategy by mitigating habitat loss by restoring unsuitable habitat, installing snake exclusion fencing, permanently protecting the habitat through a conservation easement and implementing long term habitat management.

The Department has determined that the proposed grading and construction of athletic fields adjacent to the Living Word Lutheran High School is likely to result in the incidental taking of some state-threatened Butler’s gartersnakes. However, the Department has concluded that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the snake by adhering to conservation measures; is 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 action.

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

Public comments will be taken through September 28, 2006 and should be sent to the above address.

Information & Supporting Materials:
Jeopardy Assessment and Background Information [PDF 7KB]