Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed STH 13 Reconstruction

Proposed Incidental Take Authorization for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Reconstruction of STH 13, Town of Port Wing, Bayfield County, Wisconsin.

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state threatened arrowhead sweet-coltsfoot (Petasites sagitattus) resulting from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's (WDOT) proposed reconstruction of STH 13 in the Town of Port Wing, Bayfield County. "Take" is the destruction or possession of an endangered or threatened animal and, in some cases, of an endangered or threatened plant on public lands.

WDOT proposes to widen the existing travel lane and shoulders and replace two box culverts and a bridge along a portion of STH 13 east of the Town of Port Wing. Constructed in 1948, the roadway and infrastructure have reached their useful life and are potential safety hazards. A population of arrowhead sweet-coltsfoot occurs within the right-of-way of STH13, including an approximately 5 feet by 2.5 feet wide clone and scattered individuals. The clone occurs entirely within a ditch of the existing roadway that is to be widened to increase the safety zone and cannot be avoided. This location is not optimum habitat due to poor soil, poor hydrology, the presence of road salts, and the presence of invasive species.

As a result, WDOT proposes to relocated the less than robust clone to better habitat in adjacent wetlands with suitable conditions. Based on limiting plant environmental factors, 5 publicly owned properties were evaluated for potential relocation sites. Four sites were identified as providing suitable conditions, one site being particularly adequate for plant relocation. It is proposed that 50 percent of the population be relocated to one site, and the remaining 50 percent be distributed between the other three sites. All relocation sites will be monitored over the next 5-10 years to evaluate the success of the translocation and long-term survivability.

The Department has concluded that the proposed project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of the arrowhead sweet-coltsfoot or the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action. A shortened public notice period is required in order to complete the proposed translocation prior to ground freeze.

Copies of the jeopardy assessment and conservation measures are available below or upon request from:

Information & Supporting Materials:
Jeopardy Assessment for the Arrowhead Sweet-Coltsfoot [PDF 90KB]