Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Woodridge Church

Proposed Incidental Take Authorization for the proposed development of Woodridge Community Church, City of New Berlin, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state-threatened Butler's gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) resulting from the proposed development of the Woodridge Community Church. The approximately 18-acre parcel is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Howard Avenue and Sunny Slope Road in the City of New Berlin, Waukesha County.

The Woodridge Community Church plans to develop a church with two outbuildings and associated infrastructure. The presence of the state-threatened Butler's gartersnake was confirmed at the site and existing snake habitat within the site is estimated at 4.5 acres. Take of the state-threatened species will likely occur as a result of the proposed project and an estimated 2.4 acres of existing habitat will be destroyed. An additional 1.5 acres of currently unsuitable habitat will be restored to offset snake mortality and habitat loss.

Through the Incidental Take Consultation process, the Woodridge Community Church modified project plans to avoid and minimize potential take and agreed to restore habitat for the snake. As a result, the Department has determined that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the snake by adhering to the 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:

Information & Supporting Materials:
Jeopardy Assessment for the Proposed Incidental Taking Authorization of the Butler's Gartersnake [PDF 91KB]