The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue a permit for the incidental taking of a rare lizard, which may result from the Central Wisconsin: Segments 20, 21, C21, C22 & Portage-Columbia 138kV Reconductor Projects in Columbia 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.

American Transmission Company LLC (ATC) is proposing to rebuild approximately 175 miles of existing transmission lines to support the construction of a new 200 mile 345 KV transmission line from the Tremval Substation in Trempealeau County, to the expanded Arpin Substation, in Wood County, and connecting the expanded Arpin Substation to the Columbia Substation in Columbia County. The project is known as the Grid Forward – Central Wisconsin Transmission Line Project. This application is specific to construction activities and access proposed along Segments 20, 21, C21, and C22 of the Project.

ATC is also proposing the Portage-Columbia 138kV Reconductor Project, which will consist of reconductoring approximately six miles of the existing X-13/X-20 transmission line with new conductor between the Portage and Columbia Substations. No structure replacements are proposed as part of the project scope.

The presence of the state endangered slender glass lizard is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some lizards.

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 herp exclusion fencing to keep lizards from entering the project area and removing and relocating lizards that are found in the project area by a permitted biological monitor.

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 slender glass lizard 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 slender glass lizard by April 27, 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