Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Target Store Development

Proposed Incidental Take Authorization for the proposed development of the Target Store Development, City of Oak Creek, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to authorize the "incidental taking" of the state-threatened Butler's gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) resulting from the development of a retail business proposed by the Target Corporation. The 17.8-acre parcel is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Howell Avenue and Centennial Drive, approximately one-mile north of Ryan Road, in the northeast quarter of Section 20, Township 5 North, Range 22 East, in the City of Oak Creek, Milwaukee County.

Target Corporation plans to develop a single free-standing Target store and two outlots for additional retail. Three small wetlands of low native vegetation quality and limited functional value exist throughout the site. A fourth wetland of higher quality and larger size also exists onsite and will only be partially impacted. The presence of the state-threatened Butler's gartersnake is suspected at the site due to suitable habitat and known records of the snake in the surrounding landscape.

Through the Incidental Take Consultation process, Target Corporation has modified project plans to avoid and minimize potential take of the snake and agreed to mitigate potential losses by relocating snakes to an off-site location that currently contains no snake habitat. A Conservation Plan is required as part of the authorization. The Department has determined that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the snake 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 for Proposed Incidental Taking Authorization of the Butler's Gartersnake [PDF 73KB]