Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed West Beloit Road project

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 West Beloit Road project in New Berlin, Wisconsin. 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.

A proposed development at the northwest corner of the intersection of Beloit Road and Moreland Road in New Berlin, Wisconsin involves Butler’s gartersnake habitat. The project will include a small amount of wetland fill, as well as the loss of some suitable upland snake habitat. Snake fencing was placed on the site prior to snake emergence in 2008 to avoid take of the snake in the uplands. A conservation plan for the project will assure no net loss of suitable habitat per the Butler’s Gartersnake Conservation Strategy.

The presence of the state-threatened Butler’s gartersnake has been confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. The 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 the adverse effect on the threatened species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the conservation measures, background information on the Butler’s gartersnake, and the jeopardy assessment are available at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/take/west_beloit_rd.htm 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 - West Beloit Road project [PDF 18KB]