Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Oak Leaf Trail - Congress to Silver Spring

MADISON, Wis. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state threatened Butler’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) as a result of Milwaukee County Parks System’s Oak Leaf Trail reconstruction in Milwaukee County. 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.

This project involves the redevelopment of the Milwaukee County Parks System’s Oak Leaf Trail between West Congress Street and West Silver Spring Drive in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa. The area of reconstruction includes a small amount of suitable Butler’s gartersnake habitat. Time of year restrictions and snake exclusion fencing will be used to minimize impacts to the Butler’s gartersnake.

The presence of the state-threatened Butler’s gartersnake 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 snakes. However, the Department has concluded that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the snake 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 adverse effects on the Butler’s gartersnake will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the Butler’s gartersnake 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 October 8, 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:

Public comments will be taken through October 8, 2008 and should be sent to the above address.

Information & Supporting Materials:
Jeopardy Assessment - Oak Leaf Trail [PDF 17KB]