Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Nugget Lake Dredging Project

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state-threatened snow trillium (Trillium nivale) resulting from the upgrade of an existing hiking trail that is part of dredging project for Nugget Lake in Pierce County. The proposed trail will provide improved access to two shore fishing areas. The site is located along Nugget Lake within Nugget Lake County Park, in Section 32, Township 26 North, Range 15 West, Pierce County.

The existing trail is approximately 920’ long and 5 to 7 feet in width. Nugget Lake County Park proposes to widen and improve the trail to a width of 8-feet, impacting approximately 0.2 acres. Nugget Lake County Park is known to have significant numbers of snow trilliums throughout the park and one of the largest populations within the state. Surveys conducted in April of 2004 identified trillium populations within the immediate project site and thousands of plants throughout the park. The proposed Nugget Lake County Park trail project would result in the loss of about 200 snow trillium plants. Due to the topography of the county park, it is not feasible to re-route the trail to another location. Given the size and distribution of snow trillium within the park, the limited area of the trail project is unlikely to jeopardize the population at the site or throughout the state.

Through the Incidental Take Consultation process, Nugget Lake County Park has agreed to follow conservation measures to minimize potential take of the plant. The Department has determined that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the plant 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 and Background Information [PDF 75KB]