FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 7, 2022
Contact:?Stacy Rowe, DNR Conservation Biologist
[email protected] or 608-228-9796

?

Incidental Take Notice For Walworth County

MADISON, Wis.?? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue a permit for the incidental taking of two rare snake species and two rare fish species, which may result from the CTH C Bridge over Turtle Creek project in Walworth County.

Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the species' overall population at risk.

Walworth County is proposing to replace the existing structure (P-64-039) and upgrade the roadway approaches on either side to match the new structure. The existing structure is a three-span arch with concrete headwalls. The proposed replacement structure is a single-span slab structure.

The presence of the state endangered Queensnake and Gravel Chub and the state threatened Ozark Minnow are confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes and fish.

Also, the presence of the state endangered and federally threatened Eastern Massasauga is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes. This permit would cover any incidental take for the state listing and would not cover any incidental take for the federal listing.

The DNR concludes that the proposed project is not likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival or recovery of the species within the state, the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part of, or the habitat that is critical to their existence.

Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the threatened and endangered species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Permit. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on these species are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Stacy Rowe at 608-228-9796 or [email protected]. ?

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the?Queensnake, Gravel Chub, Ozark Minnow and Eastern Massasauga by Nov. 6, 2022 to:

Department of Natural Resources
c/o Stacy Rowe, DNR Conservation Biologist
2514 Morse St, Janesville, WI 53545
[email protected] or 608-228-9796