A church construction project in Oak Creek could result in the incidental taking of a rare gartersnake under an incidental take permit the Department of Natural Resources is proposing to authorize for the project. 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 proposed Oak Creek Assembly of God Church construction project involves the expansion of the church building, parking lot, and stormwater detention pond. The expansion areas currently consist of paved parking lot, manicured lawn, and a managed stormwater detention basin.
The presence of the state-threatened Butler’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) 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.
The project will minimize impacts to the Butler’s gartersnake by conducting snake removals, installing snake exclusion fencing, minimizing habitat disturbance, creating additional habitat for the snake, and conducting habitat management in the future.
The DNR 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 Permit. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the Butler’s gartersnake are available on the Incidental Take page of the DNR Web site 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 April 27, 2010 and should be sent to Rori Paloski at the above address.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Rori Paloski, DNR, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 608-264-6040
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