Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Pine Creek PCB Remediation

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state threatened Greater Redhorse (Moxostoma valenciennesi) resulting from TRC Environmental Corporation’s PCB remediation of Operable Units 2/Lower and 3 of Pine Creek in Calumet County, Wisconsin.

TRC Environmental Corporation plans to remove PCB-impacted overbank soil and in-channel sediment along 4.1 miles of Pine Creek northeast of New Holstein, between Danes Road and Quarry Road. Previous soil and sediment investigations have identified areas of Pine Creek with total PCB concentrations requiring removal according to US Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Excavation will be accomplished using a track-mounted backhoe or similar heavy equipment. In-channel sediment will be dry-excavated through the use of temporary base flow diversions in Pince Creek. Approximately 27,200 cubic yards of soil will be removed from overbank locations, covering an area of approximately 23.3 acres. Approximately 9,200 cubic yards of sediment will be removed from in-channel locations, covering an additional area of approximately 8.6 acres. Clearing and grubbing outside of the excavation areas for construction equipment traffic is estimated to cover an additional 12.6 acres. This is the second phase of this multi-phase project, which includes Hayton Millpond, Pine Creek, Jordan Creek and agricultural drainage ditches. The current phase also includes refurbishment of one deteriorated creek crossing.

The proposed removal of PCB-contaminated sediments from instream and overbank areas in Pine Creek may result in the incidental taking of some state threatened greater redhorse. Although potential spawning habitat exists in Pine Creek within the project boundary, the habitat in the approximately 4 mile long stretch of the proposed work area is not critical to greater redhorse within this basin or on a statewide basis. The Department has determined that the conservation measures detailed in TRC Environmental Corporation’s conservation plan for the project will minimize impacts to this species, the taking is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence or recovery of the state population of the greater redhorse or the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part; and the action will benefit the public safety 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 jeopardy assessment, information on the greater redhorse, and conservation plan are available on the DNR Web site 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 May 22, 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:
Pine Creek Jeopardy Assessment [PDF 13KB]