Incidental Take Notice for Jefferson County
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue an authorization for the incidental taking of a rare snake, which may result from the STH 59 Road Reconstruction project in Jefferson 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.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is proposing to address the deteriorating condition of the STH 59 roadway pavement, structures/structural components, storm sewer system, beam guard terminals, curb ramps, curb sections, and shoulder configuration. The project corridor includes various crossings over the Scuppernong River. The proposed project is scheduled to be constructed from April – October 2027.
The presence of the state endangered western ribbonsnake 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.
Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization and are detailed in the Jeopardy Assessment. They include installing exclusion fencing and completing removals within the fencing to remove and relocate all snakes within the project area and mitigating for permanent habitat loss.
The DNR concludes that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the species by adhering to conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of the species or the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.
Copies of the Jeopardy Assessment and background information on the western ribbonsnake 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 Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov.
The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the western ribbonsnake by October 25, 2026 to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
c/o Stacy Rowe, DNR Conservation Biologist
2514 Morse St.
Janesville, WI 53545
Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-9796
|
