Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Guardian LLC Pipeline Expansion

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state threatened Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) resulting from the Guardian Pipeline Expansion and Extension Project in southeastern Wisconsin.

Guardian Pipeline, L.L.C. (Guardian) is expanding the capacity of its existing natural gas pipeline system in Wisconsin. The project involves the construction of approximately 117 miles of new pipeline commencing at Guardian’s existing Ixonia meter station in Jefferson County, Wisconsin and extending to a new northern terminus in Outagamie County, Wisconsin. Three sites, identified by Guardian as T1, T5 and T6, were identified as having suitable and potentially occupied habitat for the Blanding’s turtle. The project will employ turtle exclusion fencing, turtle removals as needed, and restoration of habitats to pre-activity condition.

The presence of the state-threatened Blanding’s turtle has been confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR has determined that the species is likely present due to the presence of suitable habitat and that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some turtles. However, the Department has concluded that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the turtle 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.

The conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the threatened species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the conservation measures, background information on the Blanding’s turtle, and the jeopardy assessment are available upon request from Rori Paloski, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 101 South Webster, Madison, WI 53707, (608) 264-6040. Public comments will be taken through June 5, 2008 and should be sent to Ms. Paloski at the above address.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Rori Paloski, DNR, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 608/264-6040 or 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:
Guardian Jeopardy Assessment [PDF 43KB]