MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue a permit for the incidental taking of a rare snake, which may result from the CTH P Bridge over Turtle Creek project.
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’s proposed project consists of replacing the existing structure (B-64-015) and upgrading the roadway approaches on either side to match the new structure. The existing structure is a 33-foot single span flat slab bridge. The proposed replacement structure is a single span flat slab bridge and includes expansion of the existing 28-foot paved corridor to a proposed 30-foot corridor within the existing right-of-way. Plans include placement of proposed bridge abutments behind the existing abutment locations. Proposed construction is planned during the period of May 1 – Sept. 30, 2023.
The presence of the state endangered Queensnake 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.
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 stacy.rowe@wisconsin.gov.
The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the Queensnake by Jan. 6, 2023 to:
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
