Incidental Take Notice For Dane County

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue an authorization for the incidental taking of a rare moth, which may result from the Greene Prairie Boardwalk project in Dane 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 University of Wisconsin Arboretum proposes to replace an old boardwalk with a new boardwalk. The proposed project would not extend beyond the existing trail footprint of less than 3 feet wide. The total area of the trail that would be disturbed during construction will not exceed 4,000 square feet.

The presence of the state endangered silphium borer moth is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some moths.

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 it is 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 endangered species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the silphium borer moth 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 silphium borer moth by Oct. 31, 2025, 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

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.