The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue a permit for the incidental taking of a rare frog, which may result from the Sylvan Road Conservation Area – Drainage Ditch Restoration Project in Iowa 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 Prairie Enthusiasts, Inc. proposes a project that involves backfilling of an artificial drainage ditch, reestablishing the approximate original surface contours, and revegetating with suitable native species. The drainage ditch is about 180 feet, and a perpendicular lateral is about 80 feet. The ditch runs from south to north and connects to the Dodge Branch. Approximately 1 acre of degraded wetland that could potentially be habitat for the Blanchard’s Cricket Frog will be impacted.

The presence of the 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 frogs.

Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Permit and are detailed in the Jeopardy Assessment. They include training onsite workers on what to do if frogs are encountered on the project, removal of frogs by a qualified biologist prior to working each day and working during the active season.

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 it is a part of or the habitat that is critical to its existence.

Copies of the Jeopardy Assessment and background information on the Blanchard’s cricket frog are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Rori Paloski at 608-516-3742 or Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the Blanchard’s cricket frog by October 1, 2026 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
c/o Rori Paloski, DNR Conservation Biologist
101 S. Webster St. Madison, WI 53707
Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov or 608-516-3742