Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Sunset Drive Expansion - Waukesha, WI

MADISON, Wis. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the incidental taking of the state threatened Butler’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) resulting from the expansion of Sunset Drive in the City of Waukesha. 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.

The City of Waukesha proposes to expand Sunset Drive from Chapman Drive to West St. Paul Avenue (CTH X). The project extends up to, but does not include the Fox River crossing of Sunset Drive, and does not include changes to the existing Fox River bridge structure. However, habitat suitable for Butler’s gartersnake occurs along the Fox River corridor and extends into the Sunset Drive project expansion area adjacent to the bridge. The expansion is necessary to accommodate increased road and pedestrian traffic along Sunset Drive.

The area of expansion includes a small amount of suitable Butler’s gartersnake habitat required for widening the west bound lane. Through the Incidental Take Consultation process, minimization measures were developed to ensure protection of the snake. Take is being minimized or avoided by disturbing only a small amount of suitable habitat, placement of snake exclusion fencing and mowing. The roadway will be widened only slightly and impacts will only occur on the north side of the road so permanent loss of habitat will be minimal. The conservation measures to minimize adverse effects on the Butler’s gartersnake will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization.

The Department has determined that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the snake; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of the snake or the whole plant-animal community of which it are a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the actions.

Copies of the background information on the Butler’s gartersnake and the jeopardy assessment are available on the DNR website 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, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, 608-264-6040. Public comments will be taken through April 7th, 2009 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:
Sunset Drive Jeopardy Assessment [PDF 113KB]