MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue an authorization for the incidental taking of a rare snail, leafhopper and frog, which may result from the Cardinal-Hickory Creek 345kV Transmission Line Project – Segments W1 and W2.
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.
ITC Midwest LLC proposes to construct and operationalize the following Wisconsin facilities:
- New structures and foundations for the approximately 34-mile 345-kV transmission line extending between the Village of Cassville and the new intermediate 345/138-kV substation south of the Village of Montfort in Grant County, Wisconsin.
- Construction of temporary access paths along the 345-kV transmission line right-of-way (ROW) and off-ROW access paths where necessary.
The presence of the state threatened Wing Snaggletooth, state endangered leafhopper (Attenuipyga vanduzeei) and state endangered Blanchard’s cricket frog is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snails, leafhoppers and frogs.
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 they are a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.
Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the threatened and endangered species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on these species are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage.
The public is encouraged to submit written or verbal comments regarding project-related impacts to the Wing Snaggletooth, Attenuipyga vanduzeei and Blanchard’s cricket frog by Nov. 10, 2021 to:
Department of Natural Resources
c/o Stacy Rowe, NH/6
101 S. Webster St. Madison, WI 53707
[email protected] or 608-228-9796
