Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Grassland and Savanna Protocols - Massasauga Update

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to modify the Grassland and Savanna Protocol for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus). The Grassland and Savanna Protocols are a broad incidental take authorization created in 2000 to allow habitat management for several listed species. Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the overall population of the species at risk.

Under the current approved protocol for eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, prescribed burning, mowing and herbiciding are restricted to the period of hibernation for this species in order to avoid incidental take. The current protocol identifies an April 5th cut-off date by which the above management actions must be completed in order to avoid take of the snake. This date is guidance and is adjusted each spring based on actual conditions (frost presence and/or air temperatures). However, recent research indicates soil temperature is an excellent predictor of first emergence in spring. Using soil temperature rather than a calendar date will allow land managers to make local decisions based on actual conditions.

The Department has determined that the proposed revisions will not result in any increased risk of incidental take of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake but will in fact be a better tool to guide when burning, mowing or herbiciding can and cannot occur in habitats supporting this species. The proposed revisions are 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 background information on the eastern massasauga rattlesnake are available at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/take/notices.html or 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 December 25, 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:
Jeopardy Assessment - GSP Massasauga Update [PDF 6KB]