Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Superior 28th Street

MADISON, Wis. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the incidental taking of the state threatened Seaside crowfoot (Ranunculus cymbalaria) resulting from the proposed expansion of 28th Street in conjunction with improvements to Superior High School.

DOT and the City of Superior propose to improve safety and site access/circulation patterns for pedestrians and motorists along 28th St. and at the High School by construction of a median, turning lanes, and parking lot, and construction of a stormwater basin. The project is located both north and south of existing 28th Street from Hill Ave. to just beyond Catlin Ave., and on the Superior High School campus in the City of Superior, Wisconsin.

Plant surveys and habitat assessments were conducted in 2005 along the road corridor and within the project area for the proposed parking lot and stormwater pond. Seaside crowfoot was found between the right-of way of the existing 28th Street and Spartan Drive (a road within the High School campus) along with Vasey’s rush (Juncus vaseyi) a state special concern species. Although other state or federally listed plant species occur in the surrounding area, no other listed species were found within the project impact area. The proposed project will result in the loss of one population of the Seaside crowfoot within the project impact area. Habitat in the surrounding area will be restored to preconstruction conditions and may provide suitable habitat for this species in the future.

The Department has determined that efforts were made to minimize impacts to the species; the taking is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the Seaside crowfoot (Ranunculus cymbalaria) within the state, or the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part; and the action has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.

Copies of the jeopardy assessment and conservation measures are available on the DNR website at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/take/notices.html or upon request from the Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 101 South Webster, Madison, WI 53707. Public comments will be taken through March 13, 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:

Public comments will be taken through March 13, 2007 and should be sent to the above address.