Incidental Take Public Notice:

Proposed Whispering Winds subdivision

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 construction of the Whispering Winds subdivision in Waukesha County, 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.

The Whispering Winds subdivision, located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, will be constructed in suitable Butler’s gartersnake habitat that is part of a significant conservation site. The project will install snake exclusion fencing, avoid some areas of suitable habitat, mitigate for lost habitat, and conduct snake removals to minimize take of the snake.

The presence of the state-threatened Butler’s gartersnake has been confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. 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 jeopardy assessment and background information on the Butler’s gartersnake are available 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 October 16, 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 16, 2008 and should be sent to the above address.

Information & Supporting Materials:
Jeopardy Assessment - Whispering Winds Subdivision [PDF 7KB]